Network-Based vs. Standardized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Chronic Primary Pain

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic primary pain (CPP), but overall effect sizes are small to moderate. Process orientation, personalization, and data-driven clinical decision-making may be able to address the heterogeneity among people with CPP and are thus promising ways to increase the effectiveness of CBT for CPP. In a previous study, the feasibility of personalized CBT for CPP using network analysis was investigated. Based on this work, the present study aims to compare this personalized CBT with a standardized CBT as treatment-as-usual condition.

In a balanced repeated measures design, a personalized CBT intervention is compared with a standardized CBT intervention. Participants are patients with CPP in German outpatient clinics. Primary and secondary outcome measures (disability, treatment expectations, pain intensity, working alliance, and side effects) will be collected after each study period. In addition, a SCED with randomized baselines will be embedded in the study, in which changes in processes relevant to chronic pain will be evaluated.