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Acceptance of chronic pain
Lance M McCracken1, Kevin E Vowles
1Pain Management Unit, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases & University of Bath, Bath BA1 1RL, UK. Lance.McCracken@RNHRD-tr.swest.nhs.uk
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|March 17, 2006
Summary
Acceptance, a willingness to experience pain without trying to control it, offers a new approach for chronic pain management. This strategy, supported by growing research, shows promise for improving psychological treatments for pain sufferers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Chronic pain often leads to distress and disability.
- Traditional pain control methods are not always effective.
- Alternative coping strategies are needed for effective pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of acceptance in managing chronic pain.
- To evaluate acceptance as a component of psychological treatment for pain.
- To investigate the effectiveness of acceptance-based strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of laboratory and clinical studies.
- Analysis of treatment outcome data.
- Examination of acceptance-related processes in chronic pain.
Main Results:
- Over 15 studies support the role of acceptance in chronic pain functioning.
- Evidence from treatment outcome studies is promising.
- Acceptance offers a viable alternative to solely focusing on pain control.
Conclusions:
- Acceptance is a valuable addition to psychological treatment for chronic pain.
- Acceptance-based strategies may significantly improve treatment outcomes.
- A flexible mix of control and acceptance enhances coping with chronic pain.