Treatment of last resort? Psychological therapy seeking in chronic pain patients

Abstract

Objective Our goal was to assess how many chronic pain patients seek psychological treatment for their condition and what psychological and demographic characteristics are associated with that decision. Methods The association between pain intensity, quality of life and psychological treatment seeking was tested in two hypothetical models which differed according to beliefs about either external or internal control over pain. Results A minority of patients had experience with psychological treatment of chronic pain. Patients who had that experience were younger, suffered from more intense pain, and applied many more coping strategies than patients who never tried this kind of treatment. Intense pain and low quality of life motivated chronic pain patients to seek psychological treatment only if they believed that doctors could control their pain. Discussion The study results stress the importance of diversifying the methods used to treat chronic pain and educating patients about the benefits of psychological treatment. Low numbers of chronic pain patients who take advantage of psychological treatment indicate that encouragement from medical professionals might be necessary.