Brief report: Web-based management of adolescent chronic pain: development and usability testing of an online family cognitive behavioral therapy program

J Pediatr Psychol. 2009 Jun;34(5):511-6. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsn082. Epub 2008 Jul 31.

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluates the usability and feasibility of a Web-based intervention (Web-MAP) to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to adolescents with chronic pain and their parents.

Methods: The Web site was evaluated in two stages. In stage one, recovered adolescents and parents (n = 5 dyads), who had completed office-based CBT through a pediatric pain management clinic, completed ratings of Web site content, usability, appearance, and theme. In stage two, treatment-seeking adolescents and their parents (n = 6 dyads) completed the full-length Web program. Program usage data were obtained to assess interaction with the Web site.

Results: Participants rated moderate to strong acceptability of the program. Usage data indicated that participants interacted with the site and used communication features.

Conclusions: Feedback from usability testing provided important information in the process of designing a feasible Web-based treatment for adolescents with chronic pain for use in a randomized controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Family Planning Services / methods*
  • Family Planning Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Pain / psychology
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Parents / education*
  • Treatment Outcome