Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy fOr Clinical Pain Control: A 15-Year Update and its Relationship to Hypnosis

Since Tan's (1982) review of cognitive and cognitive-behavioral methods for pain control was published 15 years ago, sigruficant advances have been made in cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain. The scientific evidence for its efficacy for clinical pain attenuation is now much more substantial and is briefly reviewed. In particular, cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain was recently listed as one of 25 empirically validated or supported psychological treatments available for various disorders. A number of emerging issues are further discussed in light of recent developments and research findings. The relationship of cognitive-behavioral therapy to hypnosis for pain control is briefly addressed, with suggestions for integrating hypnotic and cognitive-behavioral techniques.