J. Frettloh et B. Kroner-herwig, Individual versus group training in the treatment of chronic pain: Which is more efficacious?, Z KLIN P FP, 28(4), 1999, pp. 256-266
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE-FORSCHUNG UND PRAXIS
The main objective of the study was to investigate differences in outcome o
f a standardized outpatient pain management training related to individual
treatment versus a group setting. Psychological pain treatment was administ
ered in addition to medical treatment. Thirty-four patients were treated in
the individual setting, the same number in a group setting. Thirty-four pa
tients who were treated only medically served as controls. Main outcome mea
sures (subjective disability), catastrophizing and depression) and further
variables were analyzed by ANOVA. Patients who received additional psycholo
gical training showed a better outcome than the controls in nearly all anal
yzed variables. Overall there were no significant differences between group
and individual treatment. Effect sizes regarding improvement at follow up
(disability, catastrophizing), however, point to a superiority of the group
setting. Depressionscores showed no noteworthy differences. This is true f
or nearly all other variables. Taking the mostly non-significant difference
s between group and individual training into account, it is concluded that
a psychological pain management training should be conducted in a group set
ting because of its better cost-effectiveness.