Exposure and CBT for chronic back pain: An RCT on differential efficacy and optimal length of treatment

Our aim was to establish whether Exposure, a specialized tailored treatment for chronic low back pain, has any advantages over cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) among individuals with high fear-avoidance levels. Second, we planned to compare short and long versions of Exposure. Third, we aimed to i...

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Published in:Journal of consulting and clinical psychology Vol. 86; no. 6; p. 533
Main Authors: Glombiewski, Julia Anna, Holzapfel, Sebastian, Riecke, Jenny, Vlaeyen, Johan W S, de Jong, Jeroen, Lemmer, Gunnar, Rief, Winfried
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.06.2018
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological - physiology
Adult
Back Pain - psychology
Back Pain - therapy
Chronic Pain - psychology
Chronic Pain - therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Disability Evaluation
Fear - psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pain Measurement
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
ISSN:1939-2117, 1939-2117
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Summary:Our aim was to establish whether Exposure, a specialized tailored treatment for chronic low back pain, has any advantages over cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) among individuals with high fear-avoidance levels. Second, we planned to compare short and long versions of Exposure. Third, we aimed to investigate whether Exposure can be delivered in an outpatient psychological setting. A total of 88 Caucasian participants (55% women) were randomized to three different psychological treatment conditions, Exposure-long, Exposure-short, and CBT. All participants were suffering from chronic pain and elevated levels of pain-related anxiety and disability. The primary outcomes were disability (assessed using two different questionnaires, QBPDS and PDI) and average pain intensity; secondary outcomes included pain-related anxiety, psychological flexibility, coping strategies, and depression. Assessments took place at pretreatment, midtreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Exposure was more effective than CBT at reducing movement-related disability assessed with the QBPDS. Exposure and CBT did not differ in reduction of pain intensity or disability assessed using the PDI. Exposure-short outperformed Exposure-long after 10 sessions, meaning that individuals improved faster when they were offered fewer sessions. Exposure could be safely delivered in the psychological setting. Concerning secondary outcomes, Exposure led to greater improvements in psychological flexibility relative to CBT. CBT was more effective than Exposure at enhancing coping strategies. In Exposure, significantly more participants dropped out. Although being more challenging to patients, Exposure is an effective treatment, which can be delivered in a psychological treatment setting and should be offered as a short-term treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record
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ISSN:1939-2117
1939-2117
DOI:10.1037/ccp0000298