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

Susan H. Spence, Elizabeth Kennedy

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)12-23
    Number of pages12
    JournalBehaviour Change
    Volume6
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1989

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