[Cognitive and behavioral group therapy in chronic pain: expectations and satisfactions]

Twenty-two patients suffering from chronic pain have participated to a behavioural and cognitive group therapy, over 8 weekly sessions, each of 90 minutes. Semi-structured interviews revealed that all of their expectations were satisfied, except for pain decrease. Although they had often negatively anticipated the group situation, all patients evaluated positively the experience: they felt less lonely; they were listen to and understood by the other participants. After 3 months, 80% of the patients had modified some of their daily behaviours. After 12 months, 55% of the patients witnessed a lasting change over the impact that pain had on their life. Even if patients expect a decrease of their pain, disappointment is not an obstacle to the process of change.