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An Update on Cognitive Therapy for the Management of Chronic Pain: a Comprehensive Review

  • Other Pain (A Kaye and N Vadivelu, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

Summary

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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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Ivan Urits & Vwaire Orhurhu

  2. Phoenix Regional Campus, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Ashley Hubble & Emily Peterson

  3. A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO, USA

    Carly A. Ernst

  4. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Alan D. Kaye

  5. Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Omar Viswanath

  6. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Omar Viswanath

  7. Department of Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA

    Omar Viswanath

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  1. Ivan Urits
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  2. Ashley Hubble
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Correspondence to Ivan Urits.

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Conflict of Interest

Ivan Urits, Ashley Hubble, Emily Peterson, Vwaire Orhurhu, Carly Ernst, and Omar Viswanath declare no conflict of interest. Alan D. Kaye discloses that he is on the Speakers Bureau for Depomed, Inc. and Merck.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Other Pain

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Urits, I., Hubble, A., Peterson, E. et al. An Update on Cognitive Therapy for the Management of Chronic Pain: a Comprehensive Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep 23, 57 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0794-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0794-9

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