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Related Experiment Videos

Coping or acceptance: what to do about chronic pain?

Lance M McCracken1, Chris Eccleston

  • 1Pain Management Unit, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and University of Bath, Bath BA1 1RL, UK. lance.mccracken@mhrd-tr.swest.nhs.uk

Pain
|September 23, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Acceptance of chronic pain, a novel behavioral approach, significantly predicts better adjustment than traditional coping strategies. This finding offers new insights for chronic pain management and patient well-being.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Pain Management
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Chronic pain management historically emphasized patient coping strategies.
  • A gap exists in understanding alternative behavioral approaches for chronic pain adjustment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of a coping approach versus an acceptance approach for chronic pain.
  • To determine which approach better predicts distress and disability in chronic pain patients.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 230 adult patients seeking treatment at a university pain management center was assessed.
  • Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring coping strategies and chronic pain acceptance.
  • Regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictive power of coping and acceptance on adjustment indicators.

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Main Results:

  • Coping strategies showed weak and unreliable relationships with pain adjustment.
  • Acceptance of chronic pain was significantly associated with reduced pain, disability, depression, and anxiety.
  • Acceptance also correlated with increased daily function and improved work status.

Conclusions:

  • Acceptance of chronic pain emerged as a stronger predictor of positive adjustment compared to traditional coping mechanisms.
  • This study suggests that acceptance may be a more effective therapeutic target for improving outcomes in chronic pain patients.