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A behavioural perspective on chronic pain
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|November 1, 1982
Summary
Chronic pain behaviors are operants influenced by environmental factors. Modifying these factors, like feedback and social support, can reduce pain and improve function.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Chronic pain management
- Operant conditioning
Background:
- Chronic pain is often viewed through a biomedical lens, overlooking behavioral and environmental influences.
- Understanding pain behaviors as operants provides a framework for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the behavioral perspective of chronic pain, treating pain behaviors as operants.
- To explore how environmental factors influence pain behaviors and tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental studies examining pain behaviors.
- Analysis of factors such as exercise counts, feedback, verbal reinforcement, and social presence.
Main Results:
- Pain behaviors, like exercise, often occur in non-random patterns (multiples of five).
- Exercise deficits disappear without feedback; pain ratings are affected by spouse presence.
- Tolerance can be enhanced through verbal reinforcement.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors significantly modulate chronic pain behaviors and tolerance.
- Behavioral interventions targeting environmental influences hold promise for pain management.