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Pain catastrophizing; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Chronic pain; Low back pain; Pain management

Introduction

Pain catastrophizing refers to an exaggerated negative orientation towards actual or anticipated pain, encompassing feelings of helplessness, magnification of pain sensations, and rumination about pain-related thoughts. It is a maladaptive cognitive process that exacerbates the experience of pain and contributes to functional impairment and disability. Chronic pain conditions, such as low back pain, are often accompanied by significant levels of pain catastrophizing, which can impede recovery and diminish quality of life [1].

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising psychological intervention for addressing pain catastrophizing and improving pain outcomes. CBT aims to modify maladaptive cognitions and behaviors associated with pain, thereby promoting adaptive coping strategies and enhancing pain management. Despite the growing evidence supporting the efficacy of CBT in reducing pain catastrophizing, there remains a need for further exploration of its application in clinical practice [2].

Case Presentation

The patient, a 42-year-old male, presented with chronic low back pain of 5 years duration. He reported severe pain intensity (8/10 on the visual analog scale) and significant functional disability, limiting his ability to engage in daily activities and work responsibilities. The patient exhibited pronounced pain catastrophizing, characterized by frequent rumination about pain, catastrophic interpretations of pain sensations, and feelings of helplessness [3].

Upon assessment, the patient's pain catastrophizing score, as measured by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), was 38, indicating severe levels of catastrophizing. Informed by a biopsychosocial framework, a multidisciplinary team recommended a comprehensive treatment approach incorporating pharmacological management, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the psychological aspects of pain. The CBT intervention comprised psychoeducation about pain, cognitive restructuring to challenge maladaptive pain-related beliefs, relaxation techniques, and activity pacing strategies [4]. The patient actively engaged in CBT sessions over a 12-week period, demonstrating gradual improvements in coping skills and pain perception.

Results

Following the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention, the patient demonstrated remarkable improvements across multiple domains. The reduction in pain catastrophizing, as evidenced by the decrease in the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) score from 38 to 15, signifies a substantial shift from severe to moderate levels of catastrophizing. This reduction indicates a fundamental change in the patient's cognitive appraisal of pain, with decreased magnification, rumination, and feelings of helplessness regarding pain sensations. By challenging maladaptive pain-related beliefs and fostering adaptive coping strategies, the patient developed a more balanced and resilient mindset towards pain, thereby exerting greater control over his pain experience [5].

Moreover, the patient reported a notable decrease in pain intensity, as reflected by the reduction in his pain rating from 8/10 to 4/10 on the visual analog scale. This decrease in pain intensity suggests an alleviation of subjective pain experiences, potentially attributable to the patient's improved coping skills and reduced hypervigilance towards pain stimuli. By addressing the cognitive and emotional components of pain through CBT, the patient experienced tangible relief from pain, facilitating greater comfort and mobility in daily life [6].

In addition to improvements in pain perception, the patient exhibited enhancements in functional capacity, as observed through functional assessments of activities of daily living and work-related tasks. These improvements signify the restoration of functional abilities and the resumption of meaningful activities that were previously hindered by pain and disability. By implementing activity pacing strategies and promoting graded exposure to functional tasks, CBT facilitated the patient's gradual reengagement in physical and occupational endeavours, thereby fostering independence and productivity [7].

Overall, the comprehensive benefits observed following the CBT intervention underscore its efficacy in addressing the multidimensional nature of chronic pain. By targeting cognitive distortions, emotional distress, and behavioral patterns associated with pain catastrophizing, CBT offers a holistic approach to pain management that extends beyond symptom reduction to encompass functional restoration and psychological well-being. The patient's positive response to CBT highlights its potential as a valuable adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chronic pain, emphasizing the importance of integrating psychological interventions into multimodal pain management protocols [8].

Discussion

This case serves as a compelling illustration of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in ameliorating pain catastrophizing and fostering improved pain outcomes in patients grappling with chronic low back pain. By honing in on the maladaptive cognitive processes underlying pain catastrophizing and instilling adaptive coping mechanisms, CBT instigated a transformative shift in the patient's perception of pain. The once pervasive feelings of helplessness and exaggeration associated with pain were gradually supplanted by a newfound sense of self-efficacy and mastery over pain management. Through targeted cognitive restructuring and behavioral interventions, the patient acquired a repertoire of skills to navigate pain more effectively, thereby enhancing overall pain resilience and reducing functional impairment [9].

Furthermore, the multidisciplinary approach to pain management adopted in this case, which integrates pharmacological, physical, and psychological modalities, underscores the imperative of addressing the multifaceted nature of pain. By acknowledging the biopsychosocial dimensions of pain, clinicians can deploy a holistic treatment strategy that addresses not only the physical symptoms but also the cognitive and emotional components that contribute to pain exacerbation and chronicity. In this context, CBT emerges as a pivotal component of the comprehensive treatment paradigm, offering clinicians a potent tool to mitigate the detrimental effects of pain catastrophizing and augment overall treatment efficacy [10].

By integrating CBT into the broader framework of pain management, clinicians can optimize treatment outcomes and foster enduring improvements in patients' quality of life. This case underscores the pivotal role of psychological interventions in augmenting the efficacy of pain management strategies and emphasizes the imperative of adopting a biopsychosocial approach to pain care.

Conclusion

This case report illustrates the beneficial role of Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in mitigating pain catastrophizing and improving pain outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain. By targeting maladaptive cognitive processes and promoting adaptive coping strategies, CBT offers a valuable adjunct to pharmacological and physical interventions in the comprehensive management of chronic pain conditions. Further research is warranted to elucidate the longterm efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CBT in pain management and to identify optimal strategies for its implementation in clinical practice.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest declared by the author.

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