Psychology

Previous studies have indicated a positive relationship between self-compassion and psychological and emotional well-being in chronic pain populations. However, evidence on the role and mechanisms of self-compassion in pain perception is largely limited. The current study was designed to investigate the effects and a potential mechanism of self-compassion on experimental pain. Thirty healthy participants underwent a compassionate self-talk protocol, which was followed by cold pain exposure during which high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) was evaluated. The compassionate self-talk protocol successfully generated compassionate statements among the participants. Our behavioral data showed lower pain ratings in the self-compassion compared to the control condition. Moreover, self-compassion manipulation resulted in higher HF-HRV during pain, which was associated with lower pain ratings. We present interesting findings that a short period of compassionate self-talk may decrease experimental pain as well as mechanistic evidence surrounding bodily control over pain-related arousal indicated by HF-HRV. PERSPECTIVE: This study presents the first line of evidence that a short period of compassionate self-talk may be sufficient to reduce experimental pain. We also demonstrate increased bodily control as a potential mechanism underlying this effect.

Race disparities in pain care are well-documented. Given that the majority of Black patients are treated by White providers, patient-provider racial discordance is one hypothesized contributor to these disparities. Research and theory suggest that providers' trait-level intergroup anxiety impacts their state-level comfort while treating patients, which, in turn, impacts their pain treatment decisions. To test these hypothesized relationships, we conducted a planned secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of a perspective-taking intervention to reduce pain treatment disparities. Mediation analyses were conducted on treatment decision data from White providers for Black virtual patients with chronic pain. Results indicated that White providers with higher trait-level intergroup anxiety reported lower state-level comfort treating Black patients and were thereby more likely to recommend opioid (indirect effect=0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21,1.51) and pain specialty (indirect effect=0.91, 95% CI: 0.26,1.78) treatments and less likely to recommend non-opioid analgesics (indirect effect=-0.45, 95% CI: -0.94,-0.12). Neither trait-level intergroup anxiety nor state-level comfort significantly influenced provider decisions for physical therapy. This study provides important new information about intra- and inter-personal contributors to race disparities in chronic pain care. These findings suggest that intergroup anxiety and the resulting situational discomfort encroach on the clinical decision-making process by influencing White providers' decisions about which pain treatments to recommend to Black patients. Should these findings be replicated in future studies, they would support interventions to help providers become more aware of their trait-level intergroup anxiety and manage their state-level reactions to patients who are racially/ethnically different from themselves.

Social and interpersonal factors impact the trajectory of chronic pain. We previously developed and validated a 2-factor, 7-item measure to assess interpersonal factors, including relationship guilt and worry and difficulty prioritizing self-care in chronic pain. Here, we confirm the factor structure and examine the sex invariance of the two-factor structure of the CARE Scale-7.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major cause of global disability and improving management is essential. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a promising treatment for chronic pain but has not been modified for physical therapy. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared physical therapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) against standard care physical therapy for patients with CLBP. Patients with CLBP (duration ≥12 weeks, mean 3 years) were recruited from physical therapy clinics in four UK public hospitals. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) at 3 months' post randomization was the primary outcome. 248 participants (59% female, mean age=48) were recruited and 219 (88•3%) completed measures at 3 and/or 12 months' follow-up. At 3 months, PACT participants reported better outcomes for disability (RMDQ mean difference =1•07, p=0•037, 95%CI -2•08 to -0•07, d=0•2), Patient Specific Functioning (p=0.008), SF12 physical health (p=0.032), and treatment credibility (p<0.001). At 12 months' follow-up there were no significant differences between groups. PACT was acceptable to patients and clinicians and feasible to deliver. Physical therapists incorporated psychological principles successfully and treatment was delivered with high (≥80%) fidelity. Our results may inform the management of CLBP, with potential benefits for patients, health care providers and society. PERSPECTIVE: Psychologically informed physical therapy has great potential but there are challenges in implementation. The training and support included in the PACT trial enabled the intervention to be delivered as planned. This successfully reduced disability in the short but not long term. Findings could inform physical therapists' treatment of CLBP.