Pilot Study of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Protocol via Videoconference for the Management of Pain, Emotional Distress, and Quality of Life in Mexican Patients with Cancer and Chronic Pain

Pain is a common symptom in patients with cancer accompanied by anxiety, depression, and worsening Quality of Life (QoL). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be effective in the management of these symptoms, although access to it faces multiple barriers. While Videoconferencing can be an option, its application in patients with cancer and chronic pain in Latin America remains limited. To evaluate the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of CBT via videoconferencing to improving pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in Mexican patients with cancer and chronic pain. This pilot feasibility study used a pre-experimental design with a single group and pre-test and post-test measurements. Patients received a five-session psychological intervention via videoconferencing. The feasibility criteria were: eligibility rate ≥ 50%, enrollment rate ≥ 50%, attendance rate ≥ 70%, & ≥ 80% of the acceptability items ≥ 8. Ten participants were enrolled and agreed to participate completing all 5 sessions (attendance rate = 100%). Participants reported high elegibility rate (71.4%), acceptability of the intervention (99%), comprehensibility (95%) and usefulness (94%). The majority (99%) indicated that they would recommend the psychological intervention to others. Exploratory analyses showed changes in pain improvement (d = .899), anxiety symptoms (d = 1.36), depression symptoms (d = .755), and quality of life (d = .788). CBT via videoconferencing represents a viable and well-accepted alternative for the psychological treatment of patients with cancer and chronic pain in Mexico. This modality could expand access to care when face-to-face intervention is not possible.