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The Effectiveness of a Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment Approach to Work-related Upper Limb Pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Susan H. Spence  and
Elizabeth Kennedy
Susan H. Spence*
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Elizabeth Kennedy
Affiliation:
Avoca Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital
*
Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
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Abstract

The present study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural approach to the management of chronic work-related upper limb pain. Clients included three females who had experienced severe upper limb pain for 7, 3.5 and 1.5 years respectively and whose condition had been labelled by medical specialists as occupational overuse syndrome. Clients commenced treatment in a sequential manner, following a staggered baseline monitoring phase in order to produce a multiple baseline design across cases. Treatment involved 8 sessions over a 4-week period, covering pain management procedures, cognitive restructuring of maladaptive cognitions, relaxation training and EMG biofeedback. All cases showed some improvement in pain, distress and interference caused by pain. In addition, changes in depression, anxiety, coping strategies and sleep disturbance were reported. Therapy gains were maintained at the 6-month follow-up assessment for 2 of the 3 cases.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , March 1989 , pp. 12 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1989

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References

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