Author: Smith SM1, Li R2, Wolfe H3, Swanger-Gagne MS4, Bonham AD5, Kreher DA6, Poleshuck EL6
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
<sup>3</sup>University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA.
<sup>4</sup>Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
<sup>5</sup>Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
<sup>6</sup>Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
Conference/Journal: Clin J Pain.
Date published: 2019 Aug 19
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000752. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 245
OBJECTIVE: Couple interventions for chronic pain have been shown to more effectively reduce pain intensity for individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) than individual behavioral interventions or usual care. This systematic review identifies randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of couple interventions to highlight strategies that could be incorporated into psychotherapy with ICPs and their romantic partners.
METHODS: We identified articles reporting RCTs of couple interventions for chronic pain. Three databases were searched (i.e., PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo), resulting in 18 studies and 22 articles.
RESULTS: Couple interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements in pain intensity compared to other conditions in 8-40% of the studies, as well as in statistically significant improvements on a pain-related outcome compared to other conditions in 31-50% of the studies. Educating couples about pain was the most common strategy (83%). Jointly administered relaxation or meditation skills were included in nearly half of the interventions (48%). Many interventions taught cognitive behavioral skills jointly to couples (39%) or to the ICP with partner encouragement (30%). Teaching couples how to request and provide assistance (30%), as well as encouraging partners to avoid reinforcing pain behaviors (39%), occurred frequently. ICPs and their partners were often asked to set goals (30%).
DISCUSSION: This review outlines strategies included in couple interventions for chronic pain which are derived from the cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and operant-behavioral traditions, but delivered relationally. Therapists working with ICPs and their partners may integrate these strategies into their practice to help couples who are managing chronic pain.
PMID: 31433320 DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000752