Key Points
The 6-month change in pain interference for digital CBT and digital pain/SCD education did not significantly differ between arms.
Health coach supported, digital CBT and pain/SCD education are equally effective adjunct treatments for treating chronic pain in SCD.
Despite the significant burden of chronic pain in sickle cell disease (SCD), non-pharmacological approaches to manage pain in SCD are lacking. Behavioral interventions incorporating digital cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT) for pain should be compared to available education efforts. To compare a CBT intervention tailored for adults with SCD to a digital pain/SCD education intervention (Education) on improving pain and associated symptoms. Multisite randomized comparative effectiveness trial. Seven comprehensive SCD centers and virtual recruitment through community organizations in the United States. Adults (age 18+) with SCD-related chronic pain and/or daily opioid use randomized to CBT or Education. Over 12 weeks, the CBT arm received an app-based intervention for pain management; the Education arm received digital pain/SCD education. Both groups received interactive chatbot lessons plus personalized health coach support. Changes in pain interference scale (primary); and other patient-reported outcomes (secondary), including pain intensity, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and self-efficacy over 6 months. 453 participants completed screening, 359 (79%) were randomized to CBT (n=181) or Education (n=178), 332 (92%) were Black African American, 238 (66.3%) female. At 6 months, 250 (70%) participants (n=125 per arm) completed follow-up assessments, 93 (26%) missed their follow-up window, 16 (4%) withdrew. Engagement with the chatbot content was variable (76% connected, 48% completed ≥1 lesson). However, 80% of participants completed ≥1 session with a health coach via phone, video, or text. The 6 month change in pain interference for CBT (-2.13; 95% CI, -3.42 to -0.84) and Education (-2.66; 95%CI, -3.97 to -1.36) was not significantly different (mean difference: 0.54; 95%CI, -1.30 to 2.37; *P=*0.57). Daily pain intensity ratings did not change for either group. There were no between-arm differences in depression, anxiety, and quality of life. CBT and Education did not differ in their effect on pain and mental health in SCD when combined with health coaching. Variable engagement with digital components and high engagement with health coaching may explain the lack of between-group differences, but these findings also provide insights into delivering digital interventions in racial minority and hard-to-reach populations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04419168