Brief report: Web-based management of adolescent chronic pain: development and usability testing of an online family cognitive behavioral therapy program.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the usability and feasibility of a Web-based intervention (Web-MAP) to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to adolescents with chronic pain and their parents. METHODS: The Web site was evaluated in two stages. In stage one, recovered adolescents and parents (n = 5 dyads), who had completed office-based CBT through a pediatric pain management clinic, completed ratings of Web site content, usability, appearance, and theme. In stage two, treatment-seeking adolescents and their parents (n = 6 dyads) completed the full-length Web program. Program usage data were obtained to assess interaction with the Web site. RESULTS: Participants rated moderate to strong acceptability of the program. Usage data indicated that participants interacted with the site and used communication features. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from usability testing provided important information in the process of designing a feasible Web-based treatment for adolescents with chronic pain for use in a randomized controlled trial.