Table 1 Summary of the e-CBT intervention
1st appointment with the therapist: introduction study intervention and e-CBT platform | |
Session 1: 1–2 weeks before surgery - Education: pain and factors contributing to pain experience; stress response - Relaxation exercises: progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, visualization exercise | |
Day of surgery | |
Session 2: DoS + 7 days - Education: relationship between thoughts-feelings-bodily sensations-behavior; coping with anxiety; valued activities - Exercises: thoughts and activity diary | |
2nd appointment with the therapist: introduction relaxation exercises and thoughts diary; discussion potentially hindering factors | |
Session 3: DoS + 14 days - Education: different coping strategies; unhelpful and helpful thoughts - Exercises: cognitive restructuring | |
Session 4: DoS + 21 days - Education: role of avoidance - Exercises: clarifying valued activities; SMART description of new valued activities | |
Session 5: DoS + 28 days - Recap session 1-4 - Action plan: warning signs and helpful exercises and techniques | |
3rd appointment with the therapist: discussion on helping thoughts, valuable activities, action plan; evaluation of most helpful elements of the program and how to continue |