Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic Primary Pain (CPP) is defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than three months, associated with significant emotional distress and/or functional disability, not better explained by another diagnosis. It presents a clinical challenge and a significant burden on healthcare systems. The MobACT (Mobile Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a guided internet-based self-help intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), delivered via the Iterapi platform. The study uses a randomized controlled multicenter design (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, University of Verona, University of Bologna) with two arms: an intervention group (n = 210) and a waitlist control group (n = 210). Assessments will be conducted at three timepoints: pre-intervention (T0), post-intervention (T1), and a 6-month follow-up (T2 – experimental group only). The intervention aims to promote pain acceptance, psychological flexibility, and overall quality of life, while overcoming physical and geographical barriers to access.
Results achieved
The University of Bologna Research Unit contributed to the development and implementation of the MOB-ACT project through scientific, organizational, and dissemination activities. The unit completed the ethical approval procedures required for the local implementation of the study and developed online and community-based recruitment strategies, including social media campaigns, informational materials, and outreach initiatives targeting both the general public and healthcare professionals. From an operational perspective, the Bologna Unit supported participant screening, enrollment, and monitoring throughout the online intervention, contributing to data collection and to the evaluation of the feasibility of the program. During the project, the recruitment strategy was expanded to include individuals experiencing chronic pain more broadly, improving accessibility while maintaining the original intervention structure. The Bologna Unit actively disseminated the project through academic initiatives, including the Junior Researchers' Presentation Day, at the University of Bologna, and authorship of a scientific contribution presented at the 25th National Congress of the Italian Association of Psychology – Clinical and Dynamic Psychology Section (AIP), reporting preliminary findings from the MOB-ACT study. The project has already generated an important scientific output with the publication of the study on the feasibility and acceptability of the MobACT intervention in the international peer-reviewed journal Internet Interventions. Ongoing analyses will support additional publications on the effectiveness of the intervention, its mechanisms of change, and related clinical outcomes.Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Silvana Grandi
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari"
Coordinatore:
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 71.693,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
05/10/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
