Tailoring cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain: a case example

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain. However, many patients who might benefit from this treatment either refuse treatment, fail to adhere to treatment recommendations, or drop out prematurely. Adherence to and engagement in CBT for chronic pain might be improved by tailoring a limited number of its components to individual preferences. Motivational interviewing, in which the therapist facilitates the patient's motivation for changing behavior, might also promote CBT engagement and adherence. We describe components of a tailored CBT treatment for chronic pain in the context of ongoing research and illustrate the process of tailoring CBT with a case study.