Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) on Pain Symptoms and Sleep Quality Improvement in Chronic Pain Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Yuxin Liu, Hong Ji, Sai Wei Bai and 3 others
PMID 42166653WHAT IT FOUND
Internet-based CBT reduced chronic pain and improved sleep quality in adults immediately after treatment.
These benefits did not last: at follow-up, pain scores showed no significant difference from controls. The effect was also absent in children under 18.
Key findings
01iCBT significantly reduced pain symptoms post-treatment but showed no significant difference from controls at long-term follow-up.
02iCBT significantly improved sleep quality overall, driven by adults aged 18 and older, with no significant benefit seen in those under 18.
03Self-administered web interventions did not significantly improve sleep quality, whereas guided or hospital-based modes did.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The meta-analysis included only nine trials with high heterogeneity in intervention duration (2 to 10 weeks) and delivery methods. Long-term follow-up data were available for only five of the nine studies, limiting conclusions on sustained effects. The sample was geographically restricted to China, Ireland, Sweden, and the United States, potentially limiting generalisability to other regions. Different assessment tools were used across studies, which may have influenced the pooled effect sizes for sleep and pain.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume iCBT provides lasting pain relief. The significant reduction in pain scores seen immediately after treatment was not statistically significant at follow-up, indicating the effect is short-term.