Changing chronic pain experience

Abstract

Training in relaxation is a prominent component in multi-disciplinary approaches to the management of chronic pain, although its specific potency in modulating pain has not yet been established. Using a within-session design, the specific effects of relaxation induction were evaluated in a group of benign chronic pain patients (n = 24), and compared to similar patients undergoing a control procedure (n = 22). The results indicated that irrespective of the focus of pain complaint, induction of relaxation over a 20 min period led to significant and sizeable reductions in both sensory and affective pain experience. The overall intensity of pain was significantly reduced. These effects were shown to be reliable and independent of onset level of sensory experience or depression. No significant changes occurred in the control group over a comparable period. The implications of these results were discussed with respect to the process by which relaxation reduces pain.