Determinants of Pain Treatment Response and Nonresponse: Identification of TMD Patient Subgroups

The purpose of the present study was to determine if we could identify a specific subtype of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain patients that does not respond to treatment. Patients were 101 men and women with chronic TMD pain recruited from the community and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment conditions: a standard conservative care (STD) condition or a standard care plus cognitive-behavioral therapy condition (STD + CBT) in which patients received all elements of STD but also received cognitive-behavioral coping skills training. Growth mixture modeling, incorporating a series of treatment-related predictors, was used to distinguish several distinct classes of responders or nonresponders to treatment based on reported pain over a 1-year follow-up period. Results indicated that treatment nonresponders accounted for 16% of the sample and did not differ from treatment responders on demographics or temporomandibular joint pathology, but that they reported more psychiatric symptoms, poorer coping, and higher levels of catastrophizing. Treatment-related predictors of membership in treatment responder groups versus the nonresponder group included the addition of CBT to STD, treatment attendance, and decreasing catastrophization. It was concluded that CBT may be made more efficacious for TMD patients by placing further emphasis on decreasing catastrophization and on individualizing care.     

Brief cognitive-behavioral treatment for TMD pain: Long-term outcomes and moderators of treatment

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a brief (6-8 sessions) cognitive-behavioral treatment for temporomandibular dysfunction-related pain could be efficacious in reducing pain, pain-related interference with lifestyle and depressive symptoms. The patients were 101 men and women with pain in the area of the temporomandibular joint of at least 3 months duration, randomly assigned to either standard treatment (STD; n = 49) or standard treatment + cognitive-behavioral skills training (STD + CBT; n = 52). Patients were assessed at posttreatment (6 weeks), 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks, and 52 weeks. Linear mixed model analyses of reported pain indicated that both treatments yielded significant decreases in pain, with the STD + CBT condition resulting in steeper decreases in pain over time compared to the STD condition. Somatization, self-efficacy and readiness for treatment emerged as significant moderators of outcome, such that those low in somatization, or higher in self-efficacy or readiness, and treated with STD + CBT reported of lower pain over time. Somatization was also a significant moderator of treatment effects on pain-related interference with functioning, with those low on somatization reporting of less pain interference over time when treated in the STD + CBT condition. It was concluded that brief treatments can yield significant reductions in pain, life interference and depressive symptoms in TMD sufferers, and that the addition of cognitive-behavioral coping skills will add to efficacy, especially for those low in somatization, or high in readiness or self-efficacy.     

Short- and long-term efficacy of brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder pain: a randomized, controlled trial

We evaluated the short- and long-term efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain in a randomized controlled trial. TMD clinic patients were assigned randomly to four sessions of either CBT (n=79) or an education/attention control condition (n=79). Participants completed outcome (pain, activity interference, jaw function, and depression) and process (pain beliefs, catastrophizing, and coping) measures before randomization, and 3 (post-treatment), 6, and 12 months later. As compared with the control group, the CBT group showed significantly greater improvement across the follow-ups on each outcome, belief, and catastrophizing measure (intent-to-treat analyses). The CBT group also showed a greater increase in use of relaxation techniques to cope with pain, but not in use of other coping strategies assessed. On the primary outcome measure, activity interference, the proportion of patients who reported no interference at 12 months was nearly three times higher in the CBT group (35%) than in the control group (13%) (P=0.004). In addition, more CBT than control group patients had clinically meaningful improvement in pain intensity (50% versus 29% showed > or =50% decrease, P=0.01), masticatory jaw function (P<0.001), and depression (P=0.016) at 12 months (intent-to-treat analyses). The two groups improved equivalently on a measure of TMD knowledge. A brief CBT intervention improves one-year clinical outcomes of TMD clinic patients and these effects appear to result from specific ingredients of the CBT.     

Randomized controlled trial of an Internet-delivered family cognitive–behavioral therapy intervention for children and adolescents with chronic pain

Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions show promise for decreasing chronic pain in youth. However, the availability of CBT is limited by many factors including distance to major treatment centers and expense. This study evaluates a more accessible treatment approach for chronic pediatric pain using an Internet-delivered family CBT intervention. Participants included 48 children, aged 11–17 years, with chronic headache, abdominal, or musculoskeletal pain and associated functional disability, and their parents. Children were randomly assigned to a wait-list control group or an Internet treatment group. Primary treatment outcomes were pain intensity ratings (0–10 NRS) and activity limitations on the Child Activity Limitations Interview, both completed via an online daily diary. In addition to their medical care, the Internet treatment group completed 8 weeks of online modules including relaxation training, cognitive strategies, parent operant techniques, communication strategies, and sleep and activity interventions. Youth randomized to the wait-list control group continued with the current medical care only. Findings demonstrated significantly greater reduction in activity limitations and pain intensity at post-treatment for the Internet treatment group and these effects were maintained at the three-month follow-up. Rate of clinically significant improvement in pain was also greater for the Internet treatment group than for the wait-list control group. There were no significant group differences in parental protectiveness or child depressive symptoms post-treatment. Internet treatment was rated as acceptable by all children and parents. Findings support the efficacy and acceptability of Internet delivery of family CBT for reducing pain and improving function among children and adolescents with chronic pain.     

Mediators, moderators, and predictors of therapeutic change in cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain

Although cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) have been demonstrated to be effective for a variety of chronic pain problems, patients vary in their response and little is known about patient characteristics that predict or moderate treatment effects. Furthermore, although cognitive-behavioral theory posits that changes in patient beliefs and coping mediate the effects of CBT on patient outcomes, little research has systematically tested this. Therefore, we examined mediators, moderators, and predictors of treatment effects in a randomized controlled trial of CBT for chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Pre- to post-treatment changes in pain beliefs (control over pain, disability, and pain signals harm), catastrophizing, and self-efficacy for managing pain mediated the effects of CBT on pain, activity interference, and jaw use limitations at one year. In individual mediator analyses, change in perceived pain control was the mediator that explained the greatest proportion of the total treatment effect on each outcome. Analyzing the mediators as a group, self-efficacy had unique mediating effects beyond those of control and the other mediators. Patients who reported more pain sites, depressive symptoms, non-specific physical problems, rumination, catastrophizing, and stress before treatment had higher activity interference at one year. The effects of CBT generally did not vary according to patient baseline characteristics, suggesting that all patients potentially may be helped by this therapy. The results provide further support for cognitive-behavioral models of chronic pain and point to the potential benefits of interventions to modify specific pain-related beliefs in CBT and in other health care encounters.     

Tailored cognitive-behavioral therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis for patients at risk: a randomized controlled trial

Recent developments in chronic pain research suggest that effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be optimized when applying early, customized treatments to patients at risk. For this purpose, a randomized, controlled trial with tailor-made treatment modules was conducted among patients with relatively early rheumatoid arthritis (RA disease duration of <8 years), who had been screened for psychosocial risk profiles. All participants received standard medical care from a rheumatologist and rheumatology nurse consultant. Patients in the CBT condition additionally received an individual CBT treatment with two out of four possible treatment modules. Choice of treatment modules was determined on the basis of patient priorities, which resulted in most frequent application of the fatigue module, followed by the negative mood, social relationships and pain and functional disability modules. Analyses of completers and of intention-to-treat revealed beneficial effects of CBT on physical, psychological and social functioning. Specifically, fatigue and depression were significantly reduced at post-treatment and at the 6-month follow-up in the CBT condition in comparison to the control condition, while perceived support increased at follow-up assessment. In addition, helplessness decreased at post-treatment and follow-up assessment, active coping with stress increased at post-treatment, and compliance with medication increased at follow-up assessment in the CBT condition in comparison to the control condition. Results indicate the effectiveness of tailor-made CBT for patients at risk in relatively early RA, and supply preliminary support for the idea that customizing treatments to patient characteristics may be a way to optimize CBT effectiveness in RA patients.     

Preliminary evaluation of the clinical implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain management in pediatric sickle cell disease

ObjectivesEvaluate the implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain in a clinical setting by comparing youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) who initiated or did not initiate CBT.DesignYouth with SCD (ages 6–18; n = 101) referred for CBT for chronic pain were compared based on therapy attendance: Established Care; Early Termination; or Comparison (i.e., did not initiate CBT).SettingOutpatient pediatric psychology and comprehensive SCD clinics in 3 locations at a southeastern children’s hospital.InterventionsCBT delivery was standardized. Treatment plans were tailored to meet individualized needs.Main Outcome Measures: Healthcare utilization included pain-related inpatient admissions, total inpatient days, and emergency department reliance (EDR) at 12-months pre-post CBT. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included typical pain intensity, functional disability, and coping efficacy pre-post treatment.ResultsAdjusting for age, genotype, and hydroxyurea, early terminators of CBT had increased rates of admissions and hospital days over time relative to comparisons; those who established care had faster reduction in admissions and hospital days over time relative to comparisons. EDR decreased by 0.08 over time for Established Care and reduced by 0.01 for every 1 completed session. Patients who completed pre- and post-treatment PROs reported decreases in typical pain intensity, functional disability, and improved coping efficacy.ConclusionsEstablishing CBT care may support reductions in admissions for pain, length of stay, and EDR for youth with chronic SCD pain, which may be partially supported by patient-reported improvements in functioning, coping, and lower pain intensity following CBT. Enhancing clinical implementation of multidisciplinary treatments may optimize the health of these youth.     

Targeting temporomandibular disorder pain treatment to hormonal fluctuations: a randomized clinical trial

Mounting evidence supports the importance of hormonal fluctuations in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain among women. Stabilizing influential hormones or having a plan and skills for coping with hormonally related increases in TMD pain, therefore, may be beneficial for women with TMD pain. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the short- and long-term efficacy of 3 interventions for women with TMD pain: (1) dental hygienist-delivered pain self-management training (SMT; n = 59); (2) the same dental hygienist-delivered pain self-management training, but with a focus on menstrual cycle-related changes in pain and other symptoms (targeted SMT, or TSMT; n = 55); and (3) continuous oral contraceptive therapy (6-month trial) aimed at stabilizing hormones believed to be influential in TMD pain (COCT; n = 57). Study participants completed outcome (pain, activity interference, depression) and process (pain beliefs, catastrophizing, coping effectiveness) measures before randomization, and 6 and 12 months later. Intent-to-treat analyses supported the benefits of the SMT and TSMT interventions relative to COCT. Targeting the self-management treatment to menstrual cycle-related symptoms did not increase the treatment’s efficacy. The benefits of the self-management interventions relative to COCT for pain and activity interference were statistically significant at 12 months, but not at 6 months, whereas the benefits for the process measures generally were apparent at both time points. COCT was associated with multiple adverse events (none serious). The study provides further support for long-term benefits of a safe, low-intensity (2 in-person sessions and 6 brief telephone contacts), dental hygienist-delivered self-management treatment for TMD pain.     

Randomized trial of group cognitive behavioral therapy compared with a pain education control for low-literacy rural people with chronic pain

Chronic pain is a common and costly experience. Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are efficacious for an array of chronic pain conditions. However, the literature is based primarily on urban (white) samples. It is unknown whether CBT works in low-socioeconomic status (SES) minority and nonminority groups. To address this question, we conducted a randomized controlled trial within a low-SES, rural chronic pain population. Specifically, we examined the feasibility, tolerability, acceptability, and efficacy of group CBT compared with a group education intervention (EDU). We hypothesized that although both interventions would elicit short- and long-term improvement across pain-related outcomes, the cognitively-focused CBT protocol would uniquely influence pain catastrophizing. Mixed design analyses of variance were conducted on the sample of eligible participants who did not commence treatment (N = 26), the intention-to-treat sample (ITT; N = 83), and the completer sample (N = 61). Factors associated with treatment completion were examined. Results indicated significantly more drop-outs occurred in CBT. ITT analyses showed that participants in both conditions reported significant improvement across pain-related outcomes, and a nonsignificant trend was found for depressed mood to improve more in CBT than EDU. Results of the completer analyses produced a similar pattern of findings; however, CBT produced greater gains on cognitive and affect variables than EDU. Treatment gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up (N = 54). Clinical significance of the findings and the number of treatment responders is reported. Overall, these findings indicate that CBT and EDU are viable treatment options in low-SES minority and nonminority groups. Further research should target disseminating and sustaining psychosocial treatment options within underserved populations.     

Validity of average,minimum, and maximum end-of-day recall assessments of pain and fatigue

End-of-day (EOD) diary assessments of symptoms have the potential to reduce recall bias associated with longer recall periods, and therefore be useful for generating accurate patient reported outcomes (PROs). In this report we examine the relative validity of diary questions about the experience of daily pain and fatigue, including several questions about experience for the entire day and questions about minimum and maximum daily levels, with previously collected data [1]. Validity estimates are based on comparisons of EOD reports with momentary recordings of pain and fatigue from the same days. One hundred and six participants with rheumatologic diseases yielded 2852 days for analysis. Differences in levels as assessed by EOD and momentary reports were small (just a few points), although in many instances were significantly different. Correlational analyses indicated that “how much,” “how intense,” and “on average” EOD questions were more strongly associated with momentary reports (rs = 0.85–0.90 for pain and 0.81–0.83 for fatigue) than were minimum and maximum questions (rs = 0.73–0.80 for pain and 0.67–0.75 for fatigue). Overall, the pain measures had higher EOD-momentary correspondence than the fatigue measures. Analyses of difference scores between EOD and momentary reports confirmed the better correspondence of the average questions compared with minimum and maximum questions. There was little evidence of individual differences in level and correspondence analyses. The implication of these results is that over-the-day diary measures may yield superior PROs than those based on minimum or maximum daily levels.     

Associations between daily chronic pain intensity,daily anger expression,and trait anger expressiveness: An ecological momentary assessment study

Links between elevated trait anger expressiveness (anger-out) and greater chronic pain intensity are well documented, but pain-related effects of expressive behaviors actually used to regulate anger when it is experienced have been little explored. This study used ecological momentary assessment methods to explore prospective associations between daily behavioral anger expression and daily chronic pain intensity. Forty-eight chronic low back pain (LBP) patients and 36 healthy controls completed electronic diary ratings of momentary pain and behavioral anger expression in response to random prompts 4 times daily for 7 days. Across groups, greater trait anger-out was associated with greater daily behavioral anger expression (P < 0.001). LBP participants showed higher levels of daily anger expression than controls (P < 0.001). Generalized estimating equation analyses in the LBP group revealed a lagged main effect of greater behavioral anger expression on increased chronic pain intensity in the subsequent assessment period (P < 0.05). Examination of a trait × situation model for anger-out revealed prospective associations between elevated chronic pain intensity and later increases in behavioral anger expression that were restricted largely to individuals low in trait anger-out (P < 0.001). Trait × situation interactions for trait anger suppression (anger-in) indicated similar influences of pain intensity on subsequent behavioral anger expression occurring among low anger-in persons (P < 0.001). Overlap with trait and state negative affect did not account for study findings. This study for the first time documents lagged within-day influences of behavioral anger expression on subsequent chronic pain intensity. Trait anger regulation style may moderate associations between behavioral anger expression and chronic pain intensity.     

Behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with insomnia in adolescents with chronic pain

This study aimed to (1) identify differences in sleep behaviors, sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal and prevalence of insomnia symptoms in adolescents with chronic pain compared to a healthy age and sex-matched cohort and (2) examine pain intensity, pubertal development, depression, and pre-sleep arousal as risk factors for insomnia symptoms. Participants included 115 adolescents, 12-18 years of age (73.0% female), 59 youth with chronic pain and 56 healthy youth. During a home-based assessment, adolescents completed validated measures of pain, sleep quality, sleep hygiene, pre-sleep arousal, depressive symptoms, and pubertal development. Findings revealed a significantly higher percentage of adolescents with chronic pain reporting symptoms of insomnia (54.2%) compared to healthy adolescents (19.6%), p < .001. Youth with chronic pain also reported higher cognitive and somatic arousal at bedtime, and lower sleep quality compared to the healthy cohort. In a logistic regression, two factors emerged as significant predictors of insomnia, having chronic pain (OR = 6.09) and higher levels of cognitive pre-sleep arousal (OR = 1.24). Level of pain intensity did not predict insomnia. While sleep disruption may initially relate to pain, these symptoms may persist into a separate primary sleep disorder over time due to other behavioral and psychosocial factors. Assessment of insomnia may be important for identifying behavioral targets for the delivery of sleep-specific interventions to youth with chronic pain.     

Changes in readiness to self-manage pain are associated with improvement in multidisciplinary pain treatment and pain coping

A patient's readiness to adopt a self-management approach to pain has been hypothesized to increase during multidisciplinary pain treatment and to impact pain coping responses. The Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire (PSOCQ; [J Pain (1997) 227]) was designed to assess four components of readiness to self-manage pain: pre-contemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance. We tested three hypotheses concerning this construct in two different samples of patients with chronic pain: (1) readiness to self-manage pain, as assessed by the PSOCQ, would increase from pre-multidisciplinary pain treatment to post-treatment and follow-up; (2) changes in readiness to self-manage pain measured pre-treatment to post-treatment and follow-up would be associated with changes in the use of pain coping strategies; and (3) increases in readiness to self-manage pain would be associated with improvement in multidisciplinary pain treatment. The findings supported all three hypotheses. We discuss the implications of the findings for understanding motivational issues in the self-management of pain.     

Parent perceptions of adolescent pain expression: the adolescent pain behavior questionnaire

Pain behaviors provide meaningful information about adolescents in chronic pain, enhancing their verbal report of pain intensity with information about the global pain experience. Caregivers likely consider these expressions when making judgments about their adolescents’ medical or emotional needs. Current validated measures of pain behavior target acute or procedural pain and young or non-verbal children, while observation systems may be too cumbersome for clinical practice. The objective of this research was to design and evaluate the Adolescent Pain Behavior Questionnaire (APBQ), a parent-report measure of adolescent (11-19 years) pain expressions. This paper provides preliminary results on reliability and validity of the APBQ. Parent-adolescent dyads (N = 138) seen in a multidisciplinary pain management clinic completed the APBQ and questionnaires assessing pain characteristics, quality of life, functional disability, depressive symptoms, and pain catastrophizing. Principal components analysis of the APBQ supported a single component structure. The final APBQ scale contained 23 items with high internal consistency (α = 0.93). No relationship was found between parent-reported pain behaviors and adolescent-reported pain intensity. However, significant correlations were found between parent-reported pain behaviors and parent- and adolescent-reported functional disability, pain catastrophizing, depressive symptoms, and poorer quality of life. The assessment of pain behaviors provides qualitatively different information than solely recording pain intensity and disability. It has clinical utility for use in behavioral treatments seeking to reduce disability, poor coping, and distress.     

Establishing the Reliability,Validity, and Prognostic Utility of the Momentary Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Use in Ecological Momentary Assessment Research

Despite the marked increase in ecological momentary assessment research, few reliable and valid measures of momentary experiences have been established. The goal of this preregistered study was to establish the reliability, validity, and prognostic utility of the momentary Pain Catastrophizing Scale (mPCS), a 3-item measure developed to assess situational pain catastrophizing. Participants in 2 studies of postsurgical pain outcomes completed the mPCS 3 to 5 times per day prior to surgery (N = 494, T = 20,271 total assessments). The mPCS showed good psychometric properties, including multilevel reliability and factor invariance across time. Participant-level average mPCS was strongly positively correlated with dispositional pain catastrophizing as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r = .55 and .69 in study 1 and study 2, respectively). To establish prognostic utility, we then examined whether the mPCS improved prediction of postsurgical pain outcomes above and beyond one-time assessment of dispositional pain catastrophizing. Indeed, greater variability in momentary pain catastrophizing prior to surgery was uniquely associated with increased pain immediately after surgery (b = .58, P = .005), after controlling for preoperative pain levels and dispositional pain catastrophizing. Greater average mPCS score prior to surgery was also uniquely associated with lesser day-to-day improvement in postsurgical pain (b = .01, P = .003), whereas dispositional pain catastrophizing was not (b = −.007, P = .099). These results show that the mPCS is a reliable and valid tool for ecological momentary assessment research and highlight its potential utility over and above retrospective measures of pain catastrophizing.PerspectiveThis article presents the psychometric properties and prognostic utility of a new measure to assess momentary pain catastrophizing. This brief, 3-item measure will allow researchers and clinicians to assess fluctuations in pain catastrophizing during individuals’ daily lives, as well as dynamic relationships between catastrophizing, pain, and related factors.     

Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response for chronic pain reduction and relapse prevention

We developed Therapeutic Interactive Voice Response (TIVR) as an automated, telephone-based tool for maintenance enhancement following group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain. TIVR has four components: a daily self-monitoring questionnaire, a didactic review of coping skills, pre-recorded behavioral rehearsals of coping skills, and monthly personalized feedback messages from the CBT therapist based on a review of the patient's daily reports. The first three components are pre-recorded and all four can be accessed remotely by patients via touch-tone telephone on demand. Following 11 weeks of group CBT, 51 subjects with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomized to one of two study groups. Twenty-six subjects participated in 4 months of TIVR, while a control group of 25 subjects received standard care only. The TIVR group showed maximum improvement over baseline at the 8-month follow-up for seven of the eight outcome measures; improvement was found to be significant for all outcomes (p相似文献   

Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects in a Randomized Trial of Literacy-Adapted Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy,Pain Psychoeducation,and Usual Medical Care for Multiply Disadvantaged Patients With Chronic Pain

Differences among patients can moderate the impact of evidence-based treatments (ie, heterogeneity of treatment effects), leading patients to get more or less benefit. The Learning About My Pain study was a randomized, comparative effectiveness trial of a 10-week literacy-adapted group cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT) versus pain psychoeducation groups (EDU) versus usual medical care. We examined potential sociodemographic and cognitive moderators of treatment effect among participants with post-treatment assessments (N = 241). Analyses were conducted using moderation in the PROCESS macro in SPSS and significant interactions were explored further. Education and primary literacy moderated the difference between CBT and EDU on pain intensity, and primary literacy, health literacy, and working memory moderated the difference between CBT and EDU on pain interference. Analyses revealed few significant moderation effects relative to usual medical care. No moderators were identified for depression. Neither sex nor minority status moderated any differences between groups. Patients with lower education, literacy, and working memory gained more benefit from CBT than EDU. When provided sufficient guidance and structure in a way that is meaningfully adapted, highly disadvantaged patients achieved as much benefit as less disadvantaged patients, suggesting that the literacy-adapted CBT more successfully met the needs of this population.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01967342PerspectiveThis article presents findings related to heterogeneity of treatment effects for simplified group psychosocial treatments for chronic pain. The results suggest that educationally, cognitively, or literacy disadvantaged patients benefit most from the more structured approach of literacy-adapted CBT rather than EDU, whereas less disadvantaged patients benefit from either treatment.     

Tailoring cognitive-behavioral treatment for cancer pain.

Though it has been shown that cancer patients report cognitive, behavioral, and physiologic responses to pain, little attention has been paid to the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols tailored to patient characteristics. To determine whether a profile-tailored CBT treatment program was more effective than either standard CBT or usual care in changing outcomes for patients with cancer-related pain, 131 patients receiving treatment at four sites were randomly assigned to standard CBT, profile-tailored CBT, or usual care. CBT patients attended five 50-minute treatment sessions. When compared to standard CBT patients, profile-tailored CBT patients experienced substantial improvement from baseline to immediately post-intervention in worst pain, least pain, less interference of pain with sleep, and less confusion. From baseline to one-month post-intervention, profile-tailored patients saw greater improvement in less interference of pain with activities, walking, relationships, and sleep; less composite pain interference; and less mobility and confusion symptom distress. Standard CBT and usual care patients experienced little change. Compared to profile-tailored CBT patients, standard CBT patients showed greater improvement at six-months post-intervention with less average pain, less pain now, better bowel patterns, lower summary symptom distress, better mental quality of life, and greater improvement in Karnofsky performance status; usual care patients showed little change. More research is needed to refine the matching of cognitive-behavioral treatments to psychophysiologic patient profiles, and to determine a treatment period that does not burden those patients too fatigued to participate in a five-week program. Delivery of CBT by home visits, phone, or Internet needs to be explored further.     

Chronic pain reconsidered

Chronic pain has been traditionally defined by pain duration, but this approach has limited empirical support and does not account for chronic pain’s multi-dimensionality. This study compared duration-based and prospective approaches to defining chronic pain in terms of their ability to predict future pain course and outcomes for primary care patients with three common pain conditions: back pain (n = 971), headache (n = 1078), or orofacial pain (n = 455). At baseline, their chronic pain was classified retrospectively based on Pain Days in the prior six months and prospectively with a prognostic Risk Score identifying patients with “possible” or “probable” chronic pain. The 0–28 Risk Score was based on pain intensity, pain-related activity limitations, depressive symptoms, number of pain sites, and Pain Days. Pain and behavioral outcomes were assessed at six-month follow-up, and long-term opioid use was assessed two to five years after baseline. Risk Score consistently predicted clinically significant pain at six months better than did Pain Days alone (area under the curve of 0.74–0.78 for Risk Score vs. 0.63–0.73 for Pain Days). Risk Score was a stronger predictor of future SF-36 Physical Function, pain-related worry, unemployment, and long-term opioid use than Pain Days alone. Thus, for these three common pain conditions, a prognostic Risk Score had better predictive validity for pain outcomes than did pain duration alone. However, chronic pain appears to be a continuum rather than a distinct class, because long-term pain outcomes are highly variable and inherently uncertain.     

Catastrophizing and internal pain control as mediators of outcome in the multidisciplinary treatment of chronic low back pain.

The aim of the present study was to examine (a) whether a cognitive-behavioral treatment (differentially) affects pain coping and cognition; and (b) whether changes in pain coping and cognition during treatment mediate treatment outcome. Participants in this randomized clinical trial were 148 patients with chronic low back pain attending a multidisciplinary treatment program consisting of operant-behavioral treatment plus cognitive coping skills training (N = 59) or group discussion (N = 58) or allocated to a waiting list control condition (N = 31). Patients improved with respect to level of depression, pain behavior and activity tolerance at posttreatment and 12-month follow-up. Treatment also resulted in a short- and long-term decrease in catastrophizing and an enhancement of internal pain control. Changes in catastrophizing and to a lesser degree in internal pain control mediated the reduction in level of depression and pain behavior following treatment. The use of behavioral and cognitive interventions aimed at decreasing catastrophizing thoughts about the consequences of pain and promoting internal expectations of pain control possibly constitute an important avenue of change irrespective of the type of treatment.