The psychological effectiveness of pain management procedures in the context of behavioral medicine and medical psychology.

Abstract

The application of operant, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to the management of chronic pain is reviewed. A conceptual and methodological overview of treatment studies is provided from the perspective of recent psychological and multidimensional viewpoints concerning the chronic pain experience. Difficulties in interpreting the clinical efficacy of pain management procedures are highlighted and the need for further controlled outcome studies is recommended, particularly in demonstrating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral procedures. Lastly, implications for further research investigating the relationships between individual coping styles and chronic pain are discussed.