COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF PAIN AND PAIN CONTROL

The cognitive and cognitive-behavioral approaches have been shown to b e very effective in controlling pain and its sequelae both in the labo ratory and in the clinical setting. As used in most research and treat ment, cognitive approaches are concerned with the way the person perce ives, interprets, and relates to his or her pain rather than with the elimination of the pain per se. This article reviews some of the origi ns of cognitive theory and pain theory, as well as examples of the tec hniques used and the research support for the approach. Special emphas is is given to self-efficacy, perceived control, and stress inoculatio n therapy There is also discussion of some of the limitations of the c ognitive approach. The overall conclusion is that the cognitive approa ch is a powerful and effective one for pain control despite its limita tions.