DBT for Chronic Pain: Online Therapy Benefits
- A recent study in JAMA Network Open reveals that online dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can substantially improve emotional dysregulation in adults struggling with chronic pain, compared to those...
- Nell Norman-Nott, PhD, a research fellow at the University of New South Wales, explained that emotion dysregulation involves difficulty experiencing positive emotions and suppressing negative ones.The study suggests...
- Researchers note that chronic pain affects a considerable portion of the global population, with conventional treatments frequently enough falling short in addressing the associated emotion dysregulation.
Online dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is showing significant promise for managing chronic pain and emotional regulation. Studies reveal that iDBT-Pain,a 9-week online intervention,improves emotion dysregulation in adults suffering from chronic pain. Participants using iDBT-Pain experienced reduced pain intensity and improved depression symptoms.DBT skills, including mindfulness and distress tolerance, are key. This approach offers accessible solutions. For News Directory 3’s readers, this research underscores an important development in pain management. Online DBT provides a valuable tool for those seeking relief.Discover what’s next in this promising area.
Online DBT Shows Promise for Chronic Pain and Emotional Regulation
Updated June 06, 2025
A recent study in JAMA Network Open reveals that online dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can substantially improve emotional dysregulation in adults struggling with chronic pain, compared to those receiving standard treatment. The research highlights the potential of iDBT-Pain as a valuable tool for managing chronic pain and related emotional challenges.
Nell Norman-Nott, PhD, a research fellow at the University of New South Wales, explained that emotion dysregulation involves difficulty experiencing positive emotions and suppressing negative ones.The study suggests that online DBT can help address this issue.
Adults with chronic pain saw improved emotional dysregulation with online dialectical behavioral therapy. Image: Adobe Stock
Researchers note that chronic pain affects a considerable portion of the global population, with conventional treatments frequently enough falling short in addressing the associated emotion dysregulation. This can lead to psychological disorders and increased pain.
Norman-Nott noted the difficulty individuals in rural Australia face when accessing healthcare, especially those with chronic pain. This spurred the progress of iDBT-Pain, a 9-week online intervention combining self-learning with therapist-guided sessions focusing on DBT skills like mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
The randomized controlled trial involved 89 participants with chronic pain. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving iDBT-Pain and the other continuing with their usual care. The iDBT-pain group attended eight 90-minute online sessions and used a self-education app and handbook. Emotion dysregulation was measured using the Difficulties in Emotion regulation Scale.
The study found that the iDBT-Pain group experienced a significantly greater reduction in emotion dysregulation at 9 weeks compared to the control group.This advancement persisted at 21 weeks. Additionally, the iDBT-Pain group reported reduced pain intensity at 21 weeks.
The intervention group also showed greater improvement in depression symptoms at both 9 and 21 weeks. Norman-Nott added that the therapy’s benefits extended to reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and enhanced well-being, although these differences were only notable at 9 weeks.
Limitations of the study included a predominantly female population and the absence of long-term follow-up.
Norman-Nott said,”We developed this program to give people their own agency to be able to manage their pain and manage the emotions associated with their pain in the long-term.”
Perspective
David D. Clarke, MD, president of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, noted that while the study supports the idea that psychological treatment can alleviate chronic pain, its design has limitations. He suggests that other therapies,like pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) and emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET),might potentially be more effective. Clarke also points out that the control group didn’t receive the same level of attention as the treatment group, which could have influenced the results.
The improvement in pain in the patients treated with DBT was much less than I have observed in my own practice using PRT and EAET for my patients.
David D. Clarke, MD
What’s next
The research team plans to conduct a new iDBT-pain trial in 2026 to further explore the long-term benefits of online DBT for chronic pain management.