Incorporating walking into cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain: safety and effectiveness of a personalized walking intervention.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a walking program integrated into cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain, comparing in-person and remote delivery methods.
Results Summary
The study found a significant increase in daily steps from baseline to treatment termination, with no significant difference between in-person and remote delivery. Adverse events were mostly minor and temporary, indicating the program was safe and effective in both formats.
Population
Primarily male (72%), white (80%) participants with chronic pain (median duration: 11 years).
Effective Dosage
Weekly goal to increase steps by 10% over the prior week's average.
Duration
10 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) | no change | rate of change in daily steps | Participants randomized to 10 weeks of CBT-CP, delivered either in person or by interactive voice response | - | no significant difference | #1 |
walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) | increase | steps from baseline to treatment termination | combined study sample | 1648 steps (95% CI 1063-2225) | significant increase | #2 |
walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) | increase | Participants classified as active | Participants | - | doubled | #3 |
walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) | neutral | Walking-related adverse events (AEs) | Participants | - | mostly minor and temporary | #4 |
walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) | neutral | Treatment | - | - | effective and safe | #5 |
We examined the effectiveness and safety of a walking program offered as part of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP). Participants were randomized to 10 weeks of CBT-CP, delivered either in person or by interactive voice response. Participants reported pedometer-measured step counts daily throughout treatment and received a weekly goal to increase their steps by 10% over the prior week's average. Walking-related adverse events (AEs) were assessed weekly. Participants (n = 125) were primarily male (72%), and white (80%) with longstanding pain (median: 11 years). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in rate of change in daily steps, but there was a significant increase in steps from baseline to treatment termination in the combined study sample (1648 steps (95% CI 1063-2225)). Participants classified as active doubled. AEs were mostly minor and temporary. Treatment was effective and safe whether the program was delivered in-person or remotely.Trial registration number: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01025752.