South Kingstown, RI – April 10, 2013. The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) has subcontracted Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. to develop a Transtheoretical Model-based computer-tailored intervention for patients experiencing interstitial cystitis (IC) (painful bladder syndrome).
The online program will be designed to encourage patients with IC to use a range of healthy strategies to manage or minimize their pain, and to cope with pain that does occur. Healthy strategies will include first-line treatments recommended in the American Urological Association’s treatment guidelines (e.g., education, stress management, pain management, self-care, and behavior modifications), and any second-line and third-line treatments prescribed by their care providers.
The intervention will be accessed via the ICA’s website, ichelp.org, and will:
- Assess and give feedback on level of IC pain and the benefits of using healthy strategies to manage that pain;
- Assess and give feedback on current stage of change for using healthy strategies to manage IC pain;
- Assess and give feedback on current use of each of the healthy strategies for managing IC pain;
- Facilitate use of up to seven stage-matched Transtheoretical Model principles and processes of change shown empirically to facilitate transition to the next stage of change for making positive behavioral changes;
- End with a report that contains all the feedback received during the session, and links to stage-matched information and resources on the ICA website. The report can be printed or accessed online using private login information.
Lee Claassen, Executive Director of the ICA stated, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to have a strong theory-based intervention built for IC patients to help empower them in managing their condition and live the fullest life possible.”
The development of this computer-based self-management tool for IC patients is supported by the Interstitial Cystitis Association’s Cooperative Agreement number 5U58DP002936-02 from The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About ICA
The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) is the only non-profit health association dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare and lives of people living with IC. The ICA provides advocacy, research funding, and education to ensure early diagnosis and optimal care with dignity for people affected by IC. For more information, please visit ichelp.org.