An update on cognitive therapy for the management of chronic pain: a comprehensive review
Abstract
Purpose of review Psychological approaches to the management of chronic pain have proven to be very effective in allowing patients to better manage their symptoms and with overall functioning.Recent findings Cognitive functional therapy (CFT) is centered on a three-step process, beginning with cognitive training, then progressing to functional movement training and exposure with control, and ending with physical activity and lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a technique focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive behaviors, thought patterns, and situations that contribute to psychiatric dysfunction, which may lead to further progression of pain. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive update of recent advances in the use of both CFT and CBT for the management of chronic pain conditions.
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The multitude of challenges presented by living with chronic pain may impact ability to regulate thoughts, feelings, and behavior (self-regulation).
“The multitude of challenges presented by living with chronic pain may also impact ability to regulate thoughts, feelings, and behavior (ie, self-regulation).46–48,58”
From Living well with chronic pain: a 12-month randomized controlled trial revealing impact from the digital pain self-management program EPIO (2024) · cites this paper as [58]
Psychological treatment approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy have shown to be beneficial for pain across classification and pain etiology, with links to reductions in symptoms of pain, distress, depression, and anxiety, as well as improved quality of life and pain acceptance.
“Psychological treatment approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) [8,9] and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) [10,11] have shown to be beneficial for pain across classification and pain etiology, with links to reductions in symptoms of pain, distress, depression, and anxiety, as well as improved quality of life and pain acceptance [12,13].”
From Short-Term Findings From Testing EPIO, a Digital Self-Management Program for People Living With Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [13]
In-person psychosocial interventions, particularly CBT-based interventions, can be effective in helping decrease symptoms of depression, and this is also the case for CBT- and ACT-based interventions for people living with chronic pain.
“In-person psychosocial interventions, particularly CBT-based interventions, can be effective in helping decrease the symptoms of depression [59], and this is also the case for CBT- and ACT-based interventions for people living with chronic pain [8,13].”
From Short-Term Findings From Testing EPIO, a Digital Self-Management Program for People Living With Chronic Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [13]
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Expectancies and avoidance: Towards an integrated model of chronic somatic symptoms
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- Authors
- Urits, I., Hubble, A., Peterson, E., Orhurhu, V., Ernst, C. A., Kaye, A. D., & Viswanath, O.
- Affiliations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Creighton University (US)
- A.T. Still University (US)
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (US)
- Corresponding author
- Urits, Ivan
- Venue
- Current Pain and Headache Reports
- Published
- 2019-07-10
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 57-57
- ISSN
- 1531-3433 (ISSN-L)
- 1534-3081
- OpenAlex
- W2959559141
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 0.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Pain and Headache Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Keywords
- chronic pain, cognitive functional therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychological pain management, cognitive training, functional movement training, physical activity, lifestyle modification
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Chronic Pain, Pain Management
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