A cognitive-behavioural group intervention for chronic pain patients:First findings

Catastrophizing and inadequate coping strategies are associated with the development and maintenance of chronic pain. These can be targeted in a structured cognitive-behavioural group intervention. Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness and feasibility of a 6-session structured cognitive-behavioural group intervention for chronic pain patients. Study group: Participants were 27 chronic pain patients of the Pain Center of the University Medical Center Groningen. Methods: An uncontrolled pilot study. Results: Results demonstrated that this cognitive-behavioural group intervention leads to positive change in catastrophizing and locus of control. Conclusions: It is concluded that a structured cognitive-behavioural group intervention of short duration is a much promising treatment for patients with chronic pain at relatively lows costs. The present results can be seen as an indication that a psychological approach has potential as a useful intervention for chronic pain patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract