[CHRONIC: A didactically constructed clinical vignette illustrating a digital multimodal self-help program for chronic pain].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to provide a conceptual description and clinical illustration of CHRONIC, a web-based multimodal program, by means of a didactically constructed clinical vignette.

METHODS

We present a clinically typical course of a 47-year-old woman with chronic pain disorder (F45.41), long-standing back and leg pain, pronounced avoidance and protective behavior, and marked restrictions in meaningful activities. CHRONIC is accessed via a browser and provides weekly unlocked video modules with in-session interactive exercises (auto-pause), worksheets, and structured home practice. Mindfulness exercises are provided as audio (up to ~15 minutes), and three physiotherapy units are embedded within the module flow (posture in daily life, dose-adaptable whole-body exercises, safe gait and stance). Brief weekly assessments (past 7 days) are displayed on the dashboard as line graphs of sum scores from selected MPI-D subscales. Written feedback is delivered in-app and via email.

CLINICAL ILLUSTRATION: The vignette illustrates how psychoeducation (biopsychosocial model and vicious cycle of pain), acceptance and defusion strategies, and values-based goal setting can be translated into everyday action while gradually increasing pain-adapted physical activation. Over the 12-week course, the vignette illustrates a possible course toward personally meaningful goals with reduced avoidance and excessive guarding.

CONCLUSIONS

This didactically constructed vignette illustrates the intended clinical application and conceptual structure of CHRONIC. The article is hypothesis-generating and does not allow conclusions regarding effectiveness, implementation success, or comparative utility in routine care.