PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR CHRONIC PAIN FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Currently, no literature is available regarding the clinical efficacy and treatment outcome of psychological interventions for chronic pain among spinal cord injured (SCI) persons. The present article provides a framework for cognitive-behavioral interventions used with other pain populations and suggested applications for the SCI population with chronic pain. Primary focus is upon a biopsychosocial model with patient self-management as the treatment goal. SCI rehabilitation has traditionally relied upon self-management strategies, as have recent psychological treatment approaches for chronic pain. In addition, recommendations for treatment outcome research are provided with the emphasis on using existing standardized assessment and measurement protocols.