A research trial funded by insurer and care provider icare has shown improvements in emotional being for those who have a spinal cord injury.
The research trial explored the effect of an internet-delivered pain course on the emotional wellbeing of 69 people with a spinal cord injury, resulting in 30% to 40% improvements in anxiety and depression and 20% to 30% improvements in disability. The results were maintained three months after participants completed treatment.
The pain course, developed by Macquarie University’s eCentreClinic, provided participants with information to understand their pain and taught them practical skills for reducing the impact of pain while improving mental health. Participants worked through the course at their own pace.
icare said the online program was as effective as face-to-face treatment for helping people manage chronic pain. It was also convenient and easily accessible, allowing participants to take part in the program from any location.
“The platform is easy to navigate, and online tech support is available,” said Blake Dear, of Macquarie University’s eCentreClinic. “The program is offered to people experiencing all types of pain. The course does take time and effort, but people can work through at their own pace. It is not a cure for pain but learning to manage the pain more effectively to allow people to live more comfortably.”
Dear noted that “one in two people with chronic pain will experience difficulty with mental health.” Chronic pain impacts various aspects of daily living, which, in turn, affects a person’s independence and wellbeing and at times can even impact their personal relationships and family life.
The pain course is now freely available to adults aged 18 years and over via MindSpot, Australia’s national digital mental health clinic.
