OBJECTIVE: Adapting therapeutic practice from traditional face-to-face exchange 
to remote technology-based delivery presents challenges for the therapist, 
patient, and technical writer. This article documents the process of therapy 
adaptation and the resultant specification for the SMART2 project-a 
technology-based self-management system for assisting long-term health 
conditions, including chronic pain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Focus group discussions with healthcare professionals and 
patients were conducted to inform selection of therapeutic objectives and 
appropriate technology.
RESULTS: Pertinent challenges are identified, relating to (1) reduction and 
definition of therapeutic objectives, and (2) how to approach adaptation of 
therapy to a form suited to technology delivery. The requirement of the system 
to provide dynamic and intelligent responses to patient experience and behavior 
is also emphasized.
CONCLUSION: Solutions to these challenges are described in the context of the 
SMART2 technology-based intervention. More explicit discussion and documentation 
of therapy adaptation to technology-based delivery within the literature is 
encouraged.