Long-term pain outcomes after serial lidocaine infusion in participants with recent onset of peripheral neuropathic pain: A pilot double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the outcomes up to 12 weeks after serial lidocaine infusion for early-onset peripheral neuropathic pain. METHODS: This pilot double-blind, randomized, 2-arm placebo-controlled trial recruited 50 participants with onset of peripheral neuropathic pain within the past 6 months and randomized them to either receive lidocaine (3 mg/kg) in normal saline (50 mL) intravenous infusion over 1 hour (lidocaine group) once a week for 4 weeks or 50 mL of normal saline infusion (placebo group) once a week for 4 weeks. Twenty-nine participants completed the protocol; 15 participants were assigned to the lidocaine group and 14 to the placebo group. The outcomes were pain intensity assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), quality of life assessed using EuroQol-Five Dimensions-Five Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), psychological function using the Thai version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), pain medication use, and adverse effects, all assessed at baseline (BL) and again at 4, 8, and 12 weeks following randomization. RESULTS: The reported tramadol use at 8 and 12 weeks following the first infusion was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (P = .023). No other significant between-group differences were observed at any time point or for any other outcome, and no serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Multiple lidocaine infusions of 3 mg/kg once a week for 4 weeks in participants with recent onset of peripheral neuropathic pain demonstrated no significant benefits in pain intensity, quality of life, or psychological outcomes. At most, this treatment may result in less tramadol use.

The effects of telehealth-delivered mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral activation for chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Three widely implemented psychological techniques used for CLBP management are cognitive therapy (CT), mindfulness meditation (MM), and behavioral activation (BA). This study aimed to evaluate the relative immediate (pre- to post-treatment) and longer term (pre-treatment to 3- and 6-month follow-ups) effects of group, videoconference-delivered CT, BA, and MM for CLBP. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a three-arm, randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of three active treatments-CT, BA, and MM-with no inert control condition. Participants were N = 302 adults with CLBP, who were randomized to condition. The primary outcome was pain interference, and other secondary outcomes were also examined. The primary study end-point was post-treatment. Intent-to-treat analyses were undertaken for each time point, with the means of the changes in outcomes compared among the three groups using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Effect sizes and confidence intervals are also reported. RESULTS: Medium-to-large effect size reductions in pain interference were found within BA, CT, and MM (ds from - .71 to - 1.00), with gains maintained at both follow-up time points. Effect sizes were generally small to medium for secondary outcomes for all three conditions (ds from - .20 to - .71). No significant between-group differences in means or changes in outcomes were found at any time point, except for change in sleep disturbance from pre- to post-treatment, improving more in BA than MM (d = - .49). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this trial, one of the largest telehealth trials of psychological treatments to date, critically determined that group, videoconference-delivered CT, BA, and MM are effective for CLBP and can be implemented in clinical practice to improve treatment access. The pattern of results demonstrated similar improvements across treatments and outcome domains, with effect sizes consistent with those observed in prior research testing in-person delivered and multi-modal psychological pain treatments. Thus, internet treatment delivery represents a tool to scale up access to evidence-based chronic pain treatments and to overcome widespread disparities in healthcare. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03687762.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Thai version of the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system short form- depression 8a in individuals with chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0 - Depression 8a (PROMIS SF v1.0 - Depression 8a) into Thai and evaluate its psychometric properties in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: The PROMIS SF v1.0- Depression 8a was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Thai using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology. Two hundred and sixty-nine individuals with CLBP completed the Thai version of PROMIS SF v1.0- Depression 8a (T-PROMIS-D-8a) scale and a set of measures assessing validity criterion domains. Structural validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability at a 7-day interval of the T-PROMIS-D-8a scale were computed and its construct validity was evaluated by computing correlations with the Thai version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (T-PHQ-9), Numeric Rating Scale of pain intensity (T-NRS), and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (T-FABQ). RESULTS: Data from 269 participants were analyzed. Most participants were women (70%), and the sample had a mean age of 42.5 (SD 16.6) years. The findings supported the unidimensionality, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94), and test-retest reliability (ICC [2,1] = 0.86) of the T-PROMIS-D-8a. A floor effect was observed for 16% of the sample. Associations with the T-PHQ-9, T-NRS, and T-FABQ supported the construct validity of the T-PROMIS-D-8a. CONCLUSIONS: The T-PROMIS-D-8a was successfully translated and culturally adapted. The findings indicated that the scale is reliable and valid for assessing depression in Thai individuals with CLBP.

Positive impacts of psychological pain treatments: Supplementary analyses of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials often focus on symptom reduction as a primary outcome, overlooking positive psychology factors of potential importance although many individuals can and do live well with pain. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Psychosocial Illness Impact-Positive (PIIP) scale assesses perceptions of adaptive psychosocial functioning (e.g., coping and meaning-making) after illness onset. This study evaluated the effects of hypnosis (HYP), mindfulness meditation (MM), and pain psychoeducation (ED) on PIIP scores, using data from a completed randomized clinical trial (RCT) of complementary and integrative chronic pain interventions. We hypothesized that treatment effects on PIIP would mirror the RCT's primary pain intensity outcome, such that HYP and MM, relative to ED, would lead to greater improvements in PIIP during trial follow-up. METHOD: Our sample included 262 Veterans who completed the PROMIS PIIP Short-Form 8a at pre- and posttreatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Linear regression was used to test between-group differences in PIIP at each time point, controlling for baseline PIIP, average pain intensity, and baseline perceptions of prepain psychosocial functioning. RESULTS: There were no significant between-group differences in PIIP at posttreatment or 3-month follow-up. However, group differences emerged at 6-month follow-up: individuals randomized to MM and HYP showed improved PIIP relative to those randomized to ED. CONCLUSIONS: Positive psychosocial outcomes are a mostly untapped territory in clinical trials of pain interventions. The present work highlights the potential benefits of including positive psychology concepts in both research and clinical contexts, emphasizing the importance of understanding human flourishing in the presence of illness and disability. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mediators and moderators of a walking intervention to prevent neck pain among high-risk office workers: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To test hypothesized mediators and moderators of the benefits of an app-provided walking intervention for preventing neck pain in high-risk office workers. METHODS: Ninety-one office workers at risk for developing neck pain participated in the primary clinical trial. Two hypothesized mediators (the total number of steps taken and the number of days that participants exceed the number of recommended steps) were tested using a smartphone application every month during a 6-month period. Four hypothesized moderators (number of working hours, level of work psychological demands, chair height adjustability, and body mass index) were assessed at baseline. Parallel mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using the Hayes PROCESS macro, model 4 and 1, respectively, with post-hoc Johnson-Neyman techniques. RESULTS: The number of days that participants exceeded the recommended steps ‒ the specific number was tailored to each participant, but averaged 7735 steps/day ‒ mediated the benefits of the walking intervention for reducing the risk for neck pain at each of six assessment points (B's range -0.63 to -0.89, all p's < 0.05) over 6-month period. None of the hypothesized moderators evidenced statistically significant moderator effects of the walking intervention. CONCLUSION: Workers should walk at rates greater than recommended levels on as many days as possible, rather than attempt to maximize walking within a limited number of days. Given that the walking program studied appeared to be similarly effective across multiple groups of workers, the findings suggest that regular walking can reduce the risk for developing neck pain among high-risk office workers.

Pain coping and catastrophizing in youth with and without cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the use of pain coping strategies and pain catastrophizing in youth with and without cerebral palsy (CP), and to examine how these two groups differ with respect to the associations between pain coping, catastrophizing, and measures of psychological function and sleep disturbance. METHODS: Twenty-seven individuals with CP and 49 healthy controls aged 15-22 were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Pain was assessed using a semi-structured interviews and participants completed measures of pain coping, pain catastrophizing, psychological function, and sleep. RESULTS: Youth with CP used information seeking and problem solving (p = 0.003, Cohen's d (d) = -0.80) and sought social support (p = 0.044, d = -0.51) less often, and used internalizing as a coping strategy more often (p = 0.045, d = 0.59) than healthy controls. The use of information seeking and problem solving correlated more strongly with measures of depression (p = 0.023, Cohen's f (f) = 0.08) and sleep disturbance (p = 0.022, f = 0.08), while behavioral distraction correlated more strongly with measures of anxiety (p = 0.006, f = 0.11) and sleep disturbance (p = 0.017, f = 0.09) in youth with CP, compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings raise the possibility that youth with CP may benefit more in terms of psychological function and sleep quality from coping training interventions that focus on behavioral distraction, information seeking, and problem solving. Research to test these ideas in additional samples of youth with CP is warranted.

The Silhouettes Fatigue Scale: further validation in Spanish-speaking university students and adults with chronic pain.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Silhouettes Fatigue Scale (SFS) when used to assess fatigue in undergraduates and middle-aged adults with chronic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 426 undergraduates and 207 middle-aged individuals with chronic pain participated in this study. Participants were asked to respond to a survey including the SFS as well as another validated measure of fatigue, questionnaires about pain catastrophizing and pain interference, and questions about pain (i.e., location, duration, and intensity). Convergent, discriminant, criterion and known-groups validity were evaluated. RESULTS: Convergent validity was supported by a strong association between the two scales measuring fatigue. Discriminant validity was supported by stronger associations between the two fatigue scales scores compared to those between the SFS and pain catastrophizing scores. Criterion validity was supported by moderate associations between the SFS and measures of pain intensity and pain interference. Finally, known-groups validity was supported by significant differences in the SFS scores between students without chronic pain, students with chronic pain, and middle-aged individuals with chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the validity of the SFS scores when used to assess fatigue in undergraduates and middle-aged adults with chronic pain.

Fatigue is a significant problem among people with chronic pain that can lead to disability.Assessing and treating fatigue in people with pain is essential.The Silhouettes Fatigue Scale (SFS) is a new single-item self-report of fatigue, fast and easy to use.Results support convergent and discriminant validity as well as sensibility to detect differences in fatigue between groups.

Initial development and psychometric properties of the Therapist Quality Scale.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: This study sought to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a brief measure of the quality of therapist treatment delivery that would be applicable for use across different types of psychosocial chronic pain treatments: the Therapist Quality Scale (TQS). RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: An initial pool of 14 items was adapted from existing measures, with items selected that are relevant across interventions tested in a parent trial comparing an 8-week, group, Zoom-delivered mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral activation for chronic back pain from which data for this study were obtained. A random selection of 25% of video-recorded sessions from each cohort was coded for therapist quality (two randomly selected sessions per group), with 66 sessions included in the final analyses (n = 33 completed pairs). Items were coded on a 7-point Likert-type scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability estimates were generated. RESULTS: EFA showed a single-factor solution that provided a parsimonious explanation of the correlational structure for both sessions. Eight items with factor loadings of ≥ .60 in both sessions were selected to form the TQS. Reliability analyses demonstrated all items contributed to scale reliability, and internal consistency reliabilities were good (αs ≥ .86). Scores for the eight-item TQS from the two sessions were significantly correlated (r = .59, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The TQS provides a brief measure with preliminary psychometric support that is applicable for use across different types of treatments to rate the quality of the therapist's delivery. The items assess quality in delivering specific techniques, maintaining session structure, and in developing and maintaining therapeutic rapport. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Optimizing Pain Intensity Assessment in Clinical Trials: How Many Ratings are Needed to Best Balance the Need for Validity and to Minimize Assessment Burden?

Pain intensity is the most commonly used outcome domain in pain clinical trials. To minimize the chances of type II error (ie, concluding that a treatment does not have beneficial effects, when in fact it does), the measure of pain intensity used should be sensitive to changes produced by effective pain treatments. Here we sought to identify the combination of pain intensity ratings that would balance the need for reliability and validity against the need to minimize assessment burden. We conducted secondary analyses using data from a completed 4-arm clinical trial of psychological pain treatments (N = 164 adults). Current, worst, least, and average pain intensity in the past 24 hours were assessed 4 times before and after treatment using 0 to 10 numerical rating scale-11. We created a variety of composite scores using these ratings and evaluated their reliability (Cronbach's alphas) and validity (ie, associations with a gold standard score created by averaging 16 ratings and sensitivity for detecting between-group differences in treatment efficacy). We found that for each measure, reliability increased as the number of ratings used to create the measures increased and that ratings from 3 or more days were needed to have adequately strong associations with the gold standard. Regarding sensitivity, the findings suggest that composite scores made up of ratings from 4 days are needed to maximize the chances of detecting treatment effects, especially with smaller sample sizes. In conclusion, using data from 3 or 4 days of assessment may be the best practice. PERSPECTIVE: Composite scores made up of at least 3 days of pain ratings appear to be needed to maximize reliability and validity while minimizing the assessment burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01800604.

Description and initial validation of a novel measure of pain intensity: the Numeric Rating Scale of Underlying Pain without concurrent Analgesic use.

ABSTRACT: Although many individuals with chronic pain use analgesics, the methods used in many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) do not sufficiently account for confounding by differential post-randomization analgesic use. This may lead to underestimation of average treatment effects and diminished power. We introduce (1) a new measure-the Numeric Rating Scale of Underlying Pain without concurrent Analgesic use (NRS-UP(A))-which can shift the estimand of interest in an RCT to target effects of a treatment on pain intensity in the hypothetical situation where analgesic use was not occurring at the time of outcome assessment; and (2) a new pain construct-an individuals' perceived effect of analgesic use on pain intensity (EA). The NRS-UP(A) may be used as a secondary outcome in RCTs of point treatments or nonpharmacologic treatments. Among 662 adults with back pain in primary care, participants' mean value of the NRS-UP(A) among those using analgesics was 1.2 NRS points higher than their value on the conventional pain intensity NRS, reflecting a mean EA value of -1.2 NRS points and a perceived beneficial effect of analgesics. More negative values of EA (ie, greater perceived benefit) were associated with a greater number of analgesics used but not with pain intensity, analgesic type, or opioid dose. The NRS-UP(A) and EA were significantly associated with future analgesic use 6 months later, but the conventional pain NRS was not. Future research is needed to determine whether the NRS-UP(A), used as a secondary outcome may allow pain RCTs to target alternative estimands with clinical relevance.

The Moderating Effects of Cognitive Processes on Pain-related Outcomes.

Although evidence supports the importance of pain-related thoughts (ie, cognitive content, or what people think) as predictors of pain and pain-related function, evidence regarding the role of cognitive processes (ie, how people think about pain, eg, by accepting pain, not making judgments about pain, or being absorbed by the pain experience) in adjustment to chronic pain is in its early stages. Using baseline data from a clinical trial of individuals with chronic low back pain (N = 327), the study aimed to increase knowledge regarding the associations between cognitive processes, pain intensity, pain interference, and depression. The results indicate that a number of cognitive processes are significantly related to pain intensity when controlling for catastrophizing, although the pattern of associations found was opposite to those anticipated. One cognitive process (pain absorption) was found to be significantly associated with pain interference, and 9 of 10 cognitive processes were significantly associated with depression when controlling for catastrophizing. In each case, the processes thought to be adaptive were negatively associated with pain interference and depression, and processes thought to be maladaptive evidenced the opposite pattern. The findings are consistent with-but do not prove, given the cross-sectional nature of the data-the possibility that cognitive processes play an important role in adjustment to chronic pain. The potential role these variables play in depression was particularly noteworthy. Longitudinal and experimental studies to evaluate the causal nature of the associations identified are warranted. PERSPECTIVE: The study findings highlight the potential importance of cognitive process variables (ie, how people think) in adjustment to chronic pain. Research to evaluate cognitive processes as potential mechanism variables in pain treatment is warranted.

Immigration background as a risk factor of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in children and adolescents living in Spain: differences as a function of age.

ABSTRACT: The number of people immigrating from one country to another is increasing worldwide. Research has shown that immigration background is associated with chronic pain (CP) and pain disability in adults. However, research in this issue in children and adolescents has yielded inconsistent results. The aims of this study were to examine (1) the association between immigration background, CP, high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in a community sample of children and adolescents; and (2) the extent these associations differed as a function of sex and age. Participants of this cross-sectional study were 1115 school children and adolescents (mean age = 11.67; 56% girls). Participants were asked to provide sociodemographic information and respond to a survey including measures of pain (location, extension, frequency, intensity, and interference). Results showed that having an immigration background was associated with a greater prevalence of CP (OR = 1.91, p <.001) and HICP (OR = 2.55, p <. 01). Furthermore, the association between immigration background and CP was higher in children (OR = 6.92, p <.001) and younger adolescents (OR = 1.66, p <.05) than in older adolescents. Children and adolescents with an immigration background are at higher risk for having CP -especially younger children- and HICP. More resources should be allocated in the prevention of CP and HICP in children and adolescents with an immigration background.

Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Behavior Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Predictors and Moderators of Treatment Response.

Psychosocial interventions for people with chronic pain produce significant improvements in outcomes, but these effects on average are modest with much variability in the benefits conferred on individuals. To enhance the magnitude of treatment effects, characteristics of people that might predict the degree to which they respond more or less well could be identified. People with chronic low back pain (N = 521) participated in a randomized controlled trial which compared cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, behavior therapy and treatment as usual. Hypotheses regarding predictors and/or moderators were based on the Limit, Activate, and Enhance model; developed to predict and explain moderators/predictors of psychosocial pain treatments. Results were: 1) low levels of cognitive/behavioral function at pre-treatment predicted favorable pre- to post-treatment outcomes; 2) favorable expectations of benefit from treatment and sound working alliances predicted favorable pre- to post-treatment outcomes; 3) women benefited more than men. These effects emerged without regard to treatment condition. Of note, high levels of cognitive/behavioral function at pre-treatment predicted favorable outcomes only for people in the treatment as usual condition. Analyses identified a set of psychosocial variables that may act as treatment predictors across cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction and behavior therapy, as hypothesized by the Limit, Activate, and Enhance model if these 3 treatments operate via similar mechanisms. Findings point toward people who may and who may not benefit fully from the 3 psychosocial treatments studied here, and so may guide future research on matching people to these kinds of psychosocial approaches or to other (eg, forced-based interventions) non-psychosocial approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT02133976. PERSPECTIVE: This article examines potential predictors/moderators of response to psychosocial treatments for chronic pain. Results could guide efforts to match people to the most effective treatment type or kind.

The Activity Management Inventory for Pain (AMI-P): Initial Development and Validation of a Questionnaire Based on Operant Learning and Energy Conservation Models of Activity Management.

OBJECTIVES: Activity management is an important treatment component in chronic pain programs. However, there are shortcomings in measures of this construct, leading to inconsistencies in research findings. Here, we describe the development of the Activity Management Inventory for Pain (AMI-P). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The AMI-P was developed by a group of international researchers with extensive expertise in both chronic pain and activity management. The initial evaluation of the AMI-P items included 2 studies that were both conducted in Canadian tertiary pain care centers. RESULTS: The resulting 20-item measure has 3 behavior scales (Rest, Alternating Activity, and Planned Activity), and 4 goal scales (Feel Less Pain, Get More Done, Complete the Task, and Save Energy). The behavior scales evidenced marginal to good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and a moderate positive association with an existing pacing measure. The Rest and Alternating Activity scales were associated with greater pain interference, the Alternating Activity and Planned Activity scales were associated with less satisfaction with social roles, and the Planned Activity scale was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The Alternating Activity scale increased significantly from pretreatment to posttreatment. All goal scales were positively associated with all behavior scales. The Feel Less Pain goal scale was positively associated with measures of avoidance and pain interference, while the Get More Done goal scale was negatively associated with measures of depressive symptoms and overdoing. DISCUSSION: The findings support the reliability and validity of the AMI-P scales, while also highlighting the complexity and multidimensional aspects of activity management.

School bullying and peer relationships in children with chronic pain.

ABSTRACT: Preliminary evidence suggests that there are significant associations between bullying and chronic pain, as well as between the quality of peer relationships and psychological function in youth with chronic pain. However, these findings have yet to be replicated, and the role that bullying plays in anxiety in children and adolescents with chronic pain has not yet been examined. This study sought to expand our understanding of the associations between measures of bullying and quality of peer relationships and pain-related function domains in a community sample of schoolchildren with chronic pain. One thousand one hundred fifteen schoolchildren participated in this study; 57% were girls, the mean age of the study sample was 11.67 years (SD = 2.47), and 46% reported having chronic pain. Participants completed measures of pain characteristics, pain interference, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, bullying (past and current), and quality of peer relationships. Youth with chronic pain reported a significantly higher percentage of being bullied in the past compared with youth without chronic pain. In the group of youth with chronic pain, the measures of past and current bullying, and quality of peer relationships, were not significantly associated with pain intensity, pain interference, or anxiety. However, having a history of being bullied and the quality of peer relationships were significantly associated with depressive symptom severity. The findings indicate that research to evaluate the potential causal role of bullying and the quality of peer relationships on pain-related function domains in youth with chronic pain is warranted.

Using hypnosis in clinical practice for the management of chronic pain: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Interventions used in chronic pain management do not routinely use clinical hypnosis (CH), despite evidence to suggest its effectiveness in improving pain outcomes. This study aimed to explore the beliefs and attitudes of clinicians' towards the implementation of CH in chronic pain management. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative analysis following online CH training. Clinicians working in three tertiary pain clinics, were recruited to participate in the online training program and invited to focus groups following completion of the training to explore beliefs and attitudes towards CH and the training program. RESULTS: We identified three themes regarding barriers and two themes regarding facilitators to implementation of CH. Barriers: (i) misconceptions about CH, (ii) reduced confidence in implementing CH, and (iii) concerns about integrating CH with current treatment frameworks. Facilitators: (i) change in knowledge and attitude following training and (ii) an openness to exploring the technique and skills. The online training program was evaluated as positive with two themes: (i) training structure and (ii) training credibility. CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of CH requires the development of training programs that address existing misconceptions of CH, allow for knowledge and skills acquisition, and adapt to the contextual setting within which the intervention is implemented. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Training of clinicians in the process and skills required to deliver clinical hypnosis for chronic pain should be supported to facilitate its successful implementation into clinical settings.

Evaluating the benefits of a second pain treatment following a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the value of including an open label phase after a clinical trial of pain treatments by examining participant characteristics and potential benefits. METHOD: Secondary data analysis. Veterans with chronic pain who completed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and pain education were invited to participate in an open label phase. Average and worst pain intensities, pain interference, and depression were assessed pre- and postopen label phase; global impressions of change and treatment satisfaction were assessed at postopen label phase only. RESULTS: Of those who were offered the open label phase, 40% (n = 68) enrolled. Enrollees were likely to be older, to have attended more sessions in the RCT, to be satisfied with their first treatment, and to perceive improvement in their ability to manage pain after the RCT. In the open label phase, depression and worst pain decreased across all three treatment conditions. No other improvements were observed. However, most Veterans perceived improvements in pain intensity, ability to manage pain, and pain interference, and were satisfied with the second intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be some value to adding an open label phase to the end of a trial of pain treatments. A substantial portion of study participants elected to participate and reported it to be beneficial. Exploring data from an open label phase can illuminate important aspects of patient experience, barriers to and facilitators of care, as well as treatment preferences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Feasibility of Brief, Hypnotic Enhanced Cognitive Therapy for SCI-related Pain During Inpatient Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Adapt evidence-based hypnosis-enhanced cognitive therapy (HYP-CT) for inpatient rehabilitation setting; and (2) determine feasibility of a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of HYP-CT intervention for pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN: Pilot non-randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation after SCI reporting current pain of at least 3 on a 0-10 scale. Persons with severe psychiatric illness, recent suicide attempt or elevated risk, or significant cognitive impairment were excluded. Consecutive sample of 53 patients with SCI-related pain enrolled, representing 82% of eligible patients. INTERVENTION: Up to 4 sessions of HYP-CT Intervention, each 30-60 minutes long. METHODS: Participants were assessed at baseline and given the choice to receive HYP-CT or Usual Care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participant enrollment and participation and acceptability of intervention. Exploratory analyses examined the effect of intervention on pain and cognitive appraisals of pain. RESULTS: In the HYP-CT group, 71% completed at least 3 treatment sessions and reported treatment benefit and satisfaction with the treatment; no adverse events were reported. Exploratory analyses of effectiveness found pre-post treatment pain reductions after HYP-CT with large effect (P<.001; ß=-1.64). While the study was not powered to detect significant between-group differences at discharge, effect sizes revealed decreases in average pain (Cohen's d=-0.13), pain interference (d=-0.10), and pain catastrophizing (d=-0.20) in the HYP-CT group relative to control and increases in self-efficacy (d=0.27) and pain acceptance (d=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to provide HYP-CT to inpatients with SCI, and HYP-CT results in substantial reductions in SCI pain. The study is the first to show a psychological-based nonpharmacologic intervention that may reduce SCI pain during inpatient rehabilitation. A definitive efficacy trial is warranted.

Increases in Sleep Difficulties and Psychological Symptoms are Associated With the Increase of Chronic Back Pain in Adolescents: The HBSC Study 2002 to 2018.

Cross-national research using data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey showed an increase in the prevalence of chronic back pain from 2002 to 2014. However, it is unknown if this trend has persisted beyond 2014. The aims of this study were to 1) determine if the prevalence of chronic back pain in girls and boys aged 11, 13, and 15 continued to increase from 2014 to 2018 and if this was the case, 2) examine whether this increase in the prevalence of chronic back pain between 2002 and 2018 was explained indirectly by increases in sleep difficulties and psychological symptoms. Data from 7,89,596 adolescents retrieved from 5 waves of the HBSC survey conducted in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 in 32 countries/regions were used. Logistic regressions and path analyses were conducted. Results showed an overall increase of .5% in the prevalence of chronic back pain between 2014 and 2018, ranging from .4% for 15-year-old girls to 1.3% for 11-year-old boys, indicating a continued overall increase in chronic back pain in adolescents beyond 2014. For 13-year-old girls and for 15-year-old girls and boys, the increase in the prevalence of chronic back pain between 2002 and 2018 was partially mediated by increases in sleep difficulties, which in turn were associated with increases in psychological symptoms. The findings provide important information that may aid stakeholders in enhancing public health initiatives to prevent or reduce the increasing trend in the prevalence of chronic back pain in adolescents. PERSPECTIVE: This study shows that chronic back pain prevalence continues to increase among adolescents, with sleep difficulties and psychological symptoms contributing significantly to this trend. The findings provide insights that may inform strategies to prevent or reduce the increasing trend of chronic back pain in adolescents.

Understanding the Role of Therapist Quality in Accounting for Heterogeneity of Patient Outcomes in Psychosocial Chronic Pain Treatments.

A variety of evidence-based psychosocial treatments now exist for chronic pain. However, on average, effect sizes have tended to be modest and there is a high degree of heterogeneity in treatment response. In this focus article, we explore the potential role that therapist quality in delivering treatment may have in accounting for a degree of this variability in outcome. Therapist quality refers to the skillful delivery of treatment, harnessing both specific and common therapeutic factors during sessions. While recognized as important to assess and report in clinical trials by some reporting guidelines, few randomized controlled trials evaluating psychosocial treatments for chronic pain have reported on therapist factors. We reviewed the clinical trials included in three systematic reviews and meta-analyses of trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy (mainly), mindfulness-based interventions, and acceptance and commitment therapy. We found that of the 134 trials included, only nine assessed and reported therapist quality indicators, with a variety of procedures used. This is concerning as without knowledge of the quality in which treatments are delivered, the estimates of effect sizes reported may be misrepresented. We contextualize this finding by drawing on the broader psychotherapy literature which has shown that more skillful, effective therapists demonstrated ten times better patient response rates. Examination of the characteristics associated with these more effective therapists tends to indicate that skillful engagement of common factors in therapy sessions represents a distinguishing feature. We conclude by providing recommendations for assessing and reporting on therapist quality within clinical trials evaluating psychosocial treatments for chronic pain. PERSPECTIVE: Therapist quality in the delivery of psychosocial treatments for chronic pain has rarely been assessed in clinical trials. We propose that therapist quality indicators are an under-studied mechanism that potentially contributes to the heterogeneity of treatment outcomes. We provide recommendations for assessing and reporting on therapist quality in future trials.