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

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 53; no. 4; p. jrm00175
• Main Authors: Juhlin, S, Bergenheim, A, Gjertsson, I, Larsson, A, Mannerkorpi, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 01.04.2021; Foundation for Rehabilitation Information; Medical Journals Sweden
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - therapy; Clinical trials; Control groups; Educational programs; ehealth; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Therapy - methods; Fatigue; Female; Fysioterapi; Health education; Health insurance; Health status; Humans; Intervention; Male; Middle Aged; Original Report; Pain; Patient-centered care; person-centred; Physical activity; Physical therapists; Physiotherapy; Primary care; randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation; Young Adult; chronic pain; person-centred; physiotherapy; eHealth; physical activity; randomized controlled trial
• ISSN: 1651-2081; 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2796

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. Randomized controlled trial. 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). 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. 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. Future development of interventions supporting persons with chronic pain to maintain regular exercise is warranted.