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Cognitive-Behavioral self-help for chronic pain.
Luis F Buenaver1, Lynanne McGuire, Jennifer A Haythornthwaite
1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. lbuenav1@jhmi.edu
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|August 29, 2006
Summary
Cognitive behavioral self-help offers a cost-effective way to manage chronic pain, showing positive results in reducing pain and disability. This approach is effective for various conditions like arthritis and back pain.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Behavioral Science
- Self-Help Interventions
Background:
- Cognitive behavioral self-help presents a scalable, evidence-based treatment for chronic pain patients.
- This approach can be cost-effective and accessible to a broad patient population.
- Facilitation by lay leaders or professionals is often incorporated.
Observation:
- Self-help interventions demonstrate effectiveness across diverse chronic pain conditions.
- Positive outcomes include significant reductions in pain intensity and pain-related disability.
- Applicable conditions include arthritis, back pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Findings:
- Evidence supports the efficacy of cognitive behavioral self-help for chronic pain management.
- Reductions in pain and disability are consistently observed across studies.
- The approach is adaptable to various chronic pain etiologies.
Implications:
- Professionals should assess patient suitability for self-management treatments.
- A stepped care model is recommended for integrating self-help into pain management strategies.
- Case examples highlight the practical application of cognitive behavioral self-help in specific patient populations, such as scleroderma.
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