iCanCope With Sickle Cell Pain

Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) that promote pain self-management can lead to symptom
reduction, improved quality of life, and decreased healthcare use. However, most people with
SCD do not receive CBT-based treatment due to barriers such as poor accessibility, limited
availability of professionals, and high costs. First, the investigators plan to apply a
user-centered design approach to develop and refine the iCanCope with SCD program. Second,
program feasibility and initial program effectiveness will be determined through a pilot
three-site randomized controlled trial. The investigators will determine study accrual and
dropout rates as well as levels of patient acceptability and engagement. Preliminary
effectiveness will be determined in youth receiving treatment compared to attention control
on a range of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes assessed at post-treatment and
6-month follow-up. Third, moderators and mediators of treatment effect will be tested by
examining whether differences in self-efficacy and patient activation predict changes in pain
and functioning. These results will enable a future full-scale randomized controlled trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

- aged between 12-18 years

- diagnosed with any type of SCD

- able to speak and read English

- score at least 4 (indicating some days with pain interference over the past month) on
the Sickle Cell Pain Burden Interview

- willing and able to complete online measures

Exclusion Criteria:

- significant cognitive limitations that would impair their ability to use and
understand the iCanCope with SCD program, as per their healthcare provider or parent

- have previously received more than 4 sessions of outpatient psychological therapy for
pain management in the 6 months prior to the time of screening.