ADAPTed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain in Community-Based Pediatric Care: Mixed Methods Study

Abstract Background The Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment (ADAPT) is a blended, digital, and live cognitive behavioral therapy program for children with functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPDs) and anxiety. Initially developed and evaluated in US pediatric gastroenterology settings, a culturally refined version was developed in Swedish, for potential use within community-based pediatric health care settings. Objective This study aimed to evaluate a modified version of ADAPT as an early intervention for FAPD within a community-based pediatric setting in Sweden, exploring both the potential treatment effect and participants’ treatment experience. Methods Participants were aged 9‐14 years, and all were diagnosed with FAPD. Using a mixed methods design, the study examined the preliminary effect through a single-arm pre-posttest and treatment experience through semistructured child interviews. Data were analyzed in three steps: nonparametric quantitative analysis of results on pre- and postintervention measures of self-rated pain-related functional disability, pain intensity, and anxiety; thematic qualitative analysis of the interviews; and conversion of qualitative data to enable both datasets to be analyzed and presented together. Results A total of 13 children (12 girls) participated in ADAPT, all completing the program. In total, 7 of the invited 13 participating children agreed to be interviewed following intervention completion. Quantitative results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Pearson r was used to calculate the effect size. Results showed a significant reduction in pain-related functional disability, with a median decrease from 14.00 (IQR 10‐20) preintervention, to 5.00 (IQR 1‐9) postintervention ( P =.04), a large effect size, r =−0.58, and 46% (n=6) achieving a clinically meaningful change where a Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) score decrease of ≥7.8 points denoted a clinically meaningful treatment response. Pain intensity also significantly decreased from a median of 6.5 (IQR 5.25‐8) to 4.00 (IQR 2.5‐6.5; P =.02), a large effect size r =−0.70, with 33% (n=4) experiencing at least a 50% reduction. Clinically meaningful change was determined to be present if at least a 50% reduction in self-rated measures of pain intensity was observed. Qualitative thematic analysis identified three themes: “Starting from scratch,” “Experiencing the treatment,” and “Getting on with life.” In terms of treatment experience, the blended live or digital format was perceived as a good fit for youth. Most children described finding some strategy that was effective and reported positive outcomes, such as increased participation in school. Conclusions As patient experiences were predominantly positive and quantitative results indicative of potential for increased function and reduced pain, our findings suggest that ADAPT may present as a possible early treatment option for FAPD in a Swedish community–based pediatric setting. To draw robust conclusions on effectiveness, further research is required using a larger sample size, as well as research aimed at following up treatment effects over time.