Objektiv Mätning av Smärtreglering Hos Personer Som Erhållit Internetförmedlad Exponeringsbaserad Kognitiv Beteendeterapi

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Fibromyalgia: a common problem that requires treatment Fibromyalgia (FM) is a highly prevalent pain syndrome characterized by generalized pain and fatigue, often leading to extensive somatic and psychological distress. The condition is associated with significant suffering and low functional capacity, and also entails high societal costs, as those affected have high levels of healthcare consumption, sick leave, and unemployment. The cause of FM is still unclear and there is no effective treatment. The most evaluated treatment is traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which, however, appears to have only minor effects on FM. Exposure-based treatment promising Internet-based exposure-based CBT (Exp-CBT) has previously been evaluated for fibromyalgia in two randomized controlled studies. In the first study, participants (N=140) were randomised to 10 weeks of Exp-CBT or a waiting list. The results showed that iExp had a strong effect on central FM symptoms, pain, fatigue, function and pain-related anxiety. The study also showed that iExp, compared to no treatment, is cost-effective, and that reduced FM-related avoidance behaviors drove the treatment effect. In the second study, participants (N=274) were randomized to Exp-CBT or internet-based traditional CBT (T-CBT). The results showed no significant difference between the groups after treatment. Both groups showed a marked improvement, with an average of 60% (Exp-CBT) and 59% (T-CBT) achieving a reliable change in their symptoms. People with fibromyalgia who receive exposure-based CBT thus appear to experience, on average, a reduction in symptoms and increased function. To date, studies investigating exposure-based treatment for chronic pain have used self-assessment scales to measure the effect of treatment, which is reasonable since pain is a subjective experience. However, one limitation of this is that the investigators therefore have no objective data on whether the aforementioned treatment can also lead to changes in various aspects of pain regulation, i.e., that the brain changes the way it interprets and processes pain. Objective measurement of pain regulation The present study is a longitudinal within-group study, in which the investigators intend to objectively measure various aspects of pain regulation in participants with fibromyalgia (N=45) before and after they have received internet-based exposure-based CBT. Participants undergo pain testing 10 weeks before (T0), at the start of treatment (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2), in order to measure the effect of treatment on participants' pain thresholds, pain tolerance, descending pain inhibitory function, and pain upregulation. Significant potential benefits for patients, healthcare, and society In this study, the investigators want to investigate whether the investigators can objectively see if different aspects of pain regulation are affected in participants who receive the aforementioned treatment. The study is a so-called mechanistic study, i.e., a study to understand more about how our treatment achieves its effect. Such a study makes it possible to be more precise and likely to make the treatment even more effective. The study would also contribute important knowledge to better understand the pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia, a condition with high prevalence and considered very difficult to treat.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• ≥18 years of age

• Diagnosed with fibromyalgia (indicated by a diagnosis from a physician and confirmed by the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire during the assessment interview)

• Access to the internet

• Willing to refrain from other psychological treatment during the study,

• Registered with Swedish personal ID number and residing in Sweden or Finland

• If taking antidepressant or antiepileptic medication, this must be stable for 4 weeks prior to baseline measurement,

• Willing to come to Karolinska Institutet and participate in pain tests on 3-4 occasions, and

• Gives informed consent

Locations
Other Locations
Sweden
Karolinska Institutet
RECRUITING
Solna
Nobels väg 9, Neuro
RECRUITING
Stockholm
Contact Information
Primary
Maria Hedman-Lagerlöf, PhD
maria.hedman-lagerlof@ki.se
+46709348082
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-07-08
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
Experimental: Behavioral: Internet-delivered exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy
Internet-delivered exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy (Exp-CBT) 10-week self-help treatment delivered via a secure online platform, with regular therapist support.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Karolinska Institutet

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov