Can “talking therapy” prevent chronic pain taking hold?

We’re all too aware of the devastating impact chronic pain has on people’s lives. Chronic pain is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia, a condition which affects around 1 in every 25 people. Yet we still understand relatively little about its causes and how to help people suffering with it. We believe that needs to change, so we’re investing heavily in innovative research to build our understanding of what’s behind chronic pain and develop new, improved treatments with the potential to transform quality of life for millions of people. Just one of the many research studies we're funding in this area is exploring if cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), also known as “talking therapy”, could be the answer to preventing chronic widespread pain. Scientists at the University of Aberdeen believe it could be after their breakthrough research found people living with chronic pain reported long-lasting improvements in their symptoms after receiving CBT. The team is now taking its research one step further with a trial to test whether “talking therapy” can actually prevent the onset of chronic widespread pain in people identified as being at high risk of developing the condition. Compelling evidence CBT improves quality of life We asked Professor Gary Macfarlane, who's leading the study, to explain more: "Scientific research tells us the brain plays a significant role in people’s experience of pain. Our work isn't suggesting pai...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news