Attention management as a treatment for chronic pain

Eur J Pain. 2009 Nov;13(10):1062-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.12.002. Epub 2009 Jan 13.

Abstract

Attention management is often included in cognitive-behavioural treatments (CBT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of attention management strategies in the treatment for chronic pain. The present pilot study consisted of six weekly 90-min treatment sessions and was based on a CBT attention management manual describing techniques such as attention diversion, imagery and mindfulness exercises. The intended outcomes were reduction in pain-related anxiety and hypervigilance to pain and decrease in pain impact of everyday life, measured by self-report. Information was collected at baseline, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up. The results at the end of treatment, and at 3-month follow-up, show significant reductions in pain-related anxiety, hypervigilance and interference of pain (effect sizes 0.40-0.90). Reduction in pain-related interference and anxiety remained at the 6-month follow-up. The results indicate that attention control skills can be a useful method to reduce anxiety in the short term. Clinical implications of the results are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / psychology
  • Humans
  • Imagination / physiology
  • Pain / psychology*
  • Pain Management*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patient Selection
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics