Pain Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
Pain Research Laboratory, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
BMJ Open. 2020 Feb 20;10(2):e030607. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030607.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex medical condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Patients with chronic pain demonstrate attentional biases towards pain-related information. The therapeutic benefits of modifying attentional biases by implicitly training attention away from pain-related information towards neutral information have been supported in a small number of published studies. Limited research however has explored the efficacy of modifying pain-related biases via the internet. This protocol describes a randomised, double-blind, internet-delivered attentional bias modification intervention, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention on reducing pain interference. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, state and trait anxiety, depression, pain-related fear, and sleep impairment. This study will also explore the effects of training intensity on these outcomes, along with participants' perceptions about the therapy.
The study is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial with four arms exploring the efficacy of online attentional bias modification training versus placebo training theorised to offer no specific therapeutic benefit. Participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be randomised to one of four groups: (1) 10-session attentional modification group; (2) 10-session placebo training group; (3) 18-session attentional modification group; or (4) 18-session placebo training group. In the attentional modification groups, the probe-classification version of the visual-probe task will be used to implicitly train attention away from threatening information towards neutral information. Following the intervention, participants will complete a short interview exploring their perceptions about the online training. In addition, a subgroup analysis for participants aged 16-24 and 25-60 will be undertaken.
This study has been approved by the University of Southampton Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, and in lay reports for pain charities and patient support groups.
NCT02232100; Pre-results.
慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛是一种复杂的医学病症，会显著影响生活质量。患有慢性疼痛的患者表现出对与疼痛相关信息的注意力偏向。通过隐含地将注意力从与疼痛相关的信息转移到中性信息上来改变注意力偏向，从而治疗疼痛的益处已在少数已发表的研究中得到支持。然而，通过互联网来改变与疼痛相关的偏向的疗效的研究有限。本方案描述了一项随机、双盲、互联网交付的注意力偏向修改干预研究，旨在评估该干预对减少疼痛干扰的疗效。次要结果是疼痛强度、状态和特质焦虑、抑郁、与疼痛相关的恐惧和睡眠障碍。该研究还将探索训练强度对这些结果的影响，以及参与者对治疗的看法。
该研究是一项双盲、随机对照试验，共设四个组，旨在探索在线注意力偏向修改训练的疗效，与理论上不提供任何特定治疗益处的安慰剂训练进行比较。患有慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛的参与者将被随机分配到以下四个组之一：（1）10 次注意力修改组；（2）10 次安慰剂训练组；（3）18 次注意力修改组；或（4）18 次安慰剂训练组。在注意力修改组中，视觉探针任务的探针分类版本将被用来隐含地将注意力从威胁性信息转移到中性信息。干预结束后，参与者将完成一项简短的访谈，探讨他们对在线培训的看法。此外，还将对 16-24 岁和 25-60 岁的参与者进行亚组分析。
本研究已获得南安普顿大学研究伦理委员会的批准。研究结果将发表在同行评议的期刊、学术会议上，并以通俗易懂的报告形式提供给疼痛慈善机构和患者支持团体。
NCT02232100；预结果。
