Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (ALGEA)
Chronic Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Pain focused on measuring ACT, CBT, Randomized controlled trial, Chronic Pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Presentation of chronic pain episodes
- Significant impact of the chronic pain condition on quality of life
- Having a medical diagnosis of chronic pain
- Stable medical treatment for at least 2 months
- Reading ability sufficient to comprehend self-monitoring forms as well as competence in the Greek language
Exclusion Criteria:
- An active non pharmacologically-controlled psychotic spectrum condition or manic episode, suicidal ideation/ intent or substance use problems within the 6 months prior to recruitment
- Having a severe medical condition in the present (e.g. cancer)
- No significant cognitive impairment, as assessed using the Mini-mental Status Examination (MMSE).
- Age under 18 or above 70 years
- Receiving any other psychological intervention which is based on CBT
Sites / Locations
- University of Crete
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
ACT-based intervention
CBT-based intervention
The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy + MTAU consists of an unpublished manual developed for the purposes of the project (Karekla et al., 2013). The 8, 90-min weekly group sessions focus in fostering psychological flexibility or the capacity to engage or change behaviors based on what a situation affords and an individual's goals, needs, and desires (Hayes et al., 2004). The ACT protocol involves helping patients to engage in values-based behaviors while remain in contact with pain, especially, when efforts to control or reduce it fail or contribute to suffering.
The Cognitive Behavioral group + MTAU consists of an unpublished manual developed by Kalantzi-Azizi & Karademas (2003). It includes 8, 90-min weekly group session and primarily focuses on teaching patients to manage their pain by utilizing various techniques, such as activity pacing, muscle relaxation(i.e., progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery), pain recording, thought challenging, problem solving skills, relapse prevention, etc. The CBT protocol involves helping patients to learn to control their pain and to modify dysfunctional thoughts that accompany it.