Physical activity with person-centred guidance supported by a digital platform for persons with chronic widespread pain: A randomized controlled trial.

• Main Authors: Sofia Juhlin, Anna Bergenheim, Inger Gjertsson, Anette Larsson, Kaisa Mannerkorpi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Foundation for Rehabilitation Information 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
• Subjects: physiotherapy; chronic pain; ehealth; person-centred; randomized controlled trial; physical activity
• Online Access: https://www.medicaljournals.se/jrm/content/html/10.2340/16501977-2796
• ISSN: 1650-1977; 1651-2081

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a person-centred intervention, including advice on physical activity, for improving pain intensity, physical activity, and other health-related outcomes in persons with chronic widespread pain , when delivered with digital eHealth support compared with standard telephone follow-up. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Individuals with chronic widespread pain (n = 139), aged 20–65 years, who had previously participated in a pain educational programme at primary healthcare units, were contacted during the period 2018–19 and randomized to an intervention group (n = 69) or an active control group (n = 70). Methods: Together with a physiotherapist, participants in both groups developed person-centred health plans for physical activity. The intervention group was supported via a digital platform for 6 months. The active control group received support via one follow-up phone call. Primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were physical activity and other health-related outcomes. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups after 6 months, except for a significant decrease in global fatigue in the active control group compared with the intervention group. Conclusion: Future development of interventions supporting persons with chronic pain to maintain regular exercise is warranted.