Journal article
Internet-delivered Cognitive-behavioral Intervention for Pain in Pediatric Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Pancreas, Vol.55(2), pp.e137-e146
02/2026
DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002558
PMID: 41385443
Abstract
Abdominal pain is common and associated with high disease burden and health care costs in pediatric acute recurrent (ARP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Despite effectiveness of psychological interventions in other abdominal pain populations, studies have not evaluated these interventions for pediatric pancreatitis pain. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing pancreatitis-related abdominal pain and improving pain interference, anxiety, depression, activity limitations, and health-related quality of life.
We enrolled 90 adolescents (ages 10-19, 63% female) with ARP or CP and their parents into this randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial from 15 INSPPIRE (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) centers or from the community. Participants were randomly assigned to internet-delivered CBT (WebMAP-CP; n=46) or internet-delivered pain education (WebED; n=44). Assessments were completed pre-treatment, at 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.
High feasibility of intervention delivery was demonstrated by strong treatment engagement (>6 of 8 modules completed) in both groups. Treatment acceptability was higher in the WebMAP-CP group compared to WebED. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in pain or health outcomes.
This is the first trial to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of internet-delivered CBT for pediatric pancreatitis pain demonstrating strong feasibility and treatment acceptability. Due to under-enrollment, the trial had reduced statistical power. Future research with a larger sample may build on these findings.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Internet-delivered Cognitive-behavioral Intervention for Pain in Pediatric Acute Recurrent and Chronic Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
- Creators
- Tonya M Palermo - Seattle Children's HospitalRui Li - Seattle Children's HospitalChuan Zhou - Seattle Children's HospitalHomer Aalfs - Seattle Children's HospitalGretchen Cress - University of IowaMark Lowe - Washington University in St. LouisMaisam Abu-El-Haija - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterAnkur Chugh - Medical College of WisconsinElissa M Downs - University of Minnesota Children's HospitalDouglas S Fishman - Baylor College of MedicineA Jay Freeman - Nationwide Children's HospitalMatthew J Giefer - Ochsner Medical CenterTanja Y Gonska - Hospital for Sick ChildrenSohail Z Husain - Stanford MedicineDouglas Lindblad - Children's Hospital of PittsburghQuin Y Liu - Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterAsim Maqbool - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaJacob A Mark - Children's Hospital ColoradoBrian A McFerron - Riley Hospital for ChildrenMegha S Mehta - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterRobert Adam Noel - Baylor College of MedicineEmily R Perito - University of California, San FranciscoFuchenchu Wang - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterYing Yuan - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterYuhua Zheng - Children's Hospital of Los AngelesAliye Uc - University of IowaConsortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes, and Pancreatic Cancer (CPDPC)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pancreas, Vol.55(2), pp.e137-e146
- DOI
- 10.1097/MPA.0000000000002558
- PMID
- 41385443
- NLM abbreviation
- Pancreas
- ISSN
- 1536-4828
- eISSN
- 1536-4828
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer
- Grant note
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): R01DK118752 NIDDK: U01DK108334
The research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Award Number R01DK118752. The INSPPIRE (INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In search for a cuRE) centers are supported by NIDDK Award number U01DK108334. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/12/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatology, and Nutrition
- Record Identifier
- 9985091816102771
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