painACTION

Description:

The site is designed to help people suffering from chronic pain to actively self manage their pain. It supplies evidence-based medical information and teaches participants how to apply self management skills. Features of the site include a home page which is customised to suit the participants’ needs and interests, and is based on their feedback and answers to various questions and assessments. It includes various learning modules on different aspects of pain and different behavioural skills including relaxation techniques and guided imagery. Participants can track daily pain levels and activities on the online tracking system.

Service URL:

http://www.painaction.com/painaction/Home.aspx

Agency Responsible:

Inflexxion Inc..

Details

Format:

Website.

Intervention Type:

Educational (primarily educational material or psychoeducation).

Course Length:

Long (more than 5 modules).

Support Option:

Automated only.

Target Audience

Primary Category:

Pain. Specifically back, migraine and cancer pain.

Target Audiences:

Adult and Older Adult.

Language:

English.

Access

Fee:

Free.

Access:

Open: With registration.

Contact Details:

info@inflexxion.com or via online contact form:painaction.com/contactus.aspx

Research evidence

Research Trials:

2

Research RCTs:

0

Outcome Summary:

Two controlled studies have examined painACTION's effectiveness. The most recent study compared two groups of participants with chronic migraine headaches: a painACTION intervention group (n=92) and a treatment-as-usual control group (n=93). Participants in the intervention group showed significantly reduced symptoms of depression and stress, as well as significantly increased headache self-efficacy, use of relaxation techniques and use of social support compared to the control group. Moreover, an earlier study involving participants with chronic back pain found participants in the painACTION group reported significantly lower stress, increased coping self-statements and greater use of social support compared to the control group who only received information. Such findings provide evidence in support of painACTION's effectiveness among people experiencing different types of chronic pain.

Recommended rating, reviewer 1:

Recommended rating, reviewer 2:

Read more about Beacon's Smiley Rating System.

Research paper citations

Bromberg, J. et al (2011) A Randomized Trial of a Web-Based Intervention to Improve Migraine Self-Management and Coping. Headache, 52: 244-261.

Chiauzzi, E. et al (2010) painACTION-back pain: a self-management website for people with chronic back pain. Pain Medicine, 11: 1044-1058