The Pain Course: Examining the effectiveness of an online chronic pain management programme, in adults with chronic pain, living in Ireland

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Pain Course, an internet-based chronic pain management programme, in adults with chronic pain, living in Ireland

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN11292570

Enrollment

140

Registered

2018-01-24

Start date

2017-08-08

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic pain Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning Chronic pain

Interventions

This study involves a collaboration between researchers at NUI Galway and a research team at the eCentreClinic at MacQuarie University, Sydney, who developed the Pain Course. The programme comprises a

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 18 years or older 2. The presence of chronic pain for at least 6 months duration 3. Resident of Ireland 5. Sufficient computer and internet literacy/have internet access 6. Not currently experiencing an unmanaged psychotic illness or severe symptoms of depression (indicated by a total score > 22, or a score > 2 on item 9 of the PHQ-9)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Chronic pain due to malignancy 2. Person unable to engage with the treatment intervention due to insufficient English language

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Disability associated with chronic pain is measured using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up Updated 27/03/2020 to add 2-year follow-up	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Symptoms and severity of depression is measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 Item (PHQ-9) at baseline, weekly, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 2. Symptoms of anxiety is measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale – 7 Item (GAD-7) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 3. Duration, severity and location of a person’s pain as well as level of interference associated with pain is measured using the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire (WBPQ) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 4. A person’s beliefs about their ability to undertake a number of daily tasks with pain is measured using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 5. A person’s fear of movement and re-injury is measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 6. A person’s acceptance in the context of chronic pain is measured using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAC) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 7. Pain severity and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains is measured using the Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 8. Treatment satisfaction and acceptability is measured using Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) at post-intervention (week 9), and 2-year follow-up 9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD measured using Complex Trauma Inventory (CTI) at 2-year follow-up (added 27/03/2020) Updated 27/03/2020 to add 2-year follow-up	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Symptoms and severity of depression is measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 Item (PHQ-9) at baseline, weekly, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 2. Symptoms of anxiety is measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale – 7 Item (GAD-7) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 3. Duration, severity and location of a person’s pain as well as level of interference associated with pain is measured using the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire (WBPQ) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 4. A person’s beliefs about their ability to undertake a number of daily tasks with pain is measured using the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 5. A person’s fear of movement and re-injury is measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 6. A person’s acceptance in the context of chronic pain is measured using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAC) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 7. Pain severity and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains is measured using the Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6) at baseline, post-intervention (week 9), 3 months post-intervention and 2-year follow-up 8. Treatment satisfaction and acceptability is measured using Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) at post-intervention (week 9), and 2-year follow-up 9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD measured using Complex Trauma Inventory (CTI) at 2-year follow-up (added 27/03/2020) Updated 27/03/2020 to add 2-year follow-up

—

Countries

Australia, Ireland

Contacts

Public ContactCatherine Navin

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 15, 2026