Predictors of sexual satisfaction among patients with chronic pain.

Objectives: Sexual satisfaction is an important aspect of quality of life. Chronic pain, depression and anxiety, and relational problems correspond with higher risk for sexual difficulties. Less is known about how risk factors for sexual dysfunction and other problems-such as medical conditions, pain severity, and medication side effects-affect the sexual satisfaction of people with chronic pain.

Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation and sexual functioning: Treatment outcomes and patient preferences.

Background/objective: Sexual dysfunction is common for patients experiencing chronic pain. Prior research is limited on how treatment for chronic pain affects patients' sexual functioning. This study reports pre-/post-treatment measures of self-reported sexual functioning among individuals presenting for chronic pain treatment at an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP) and reports patient treatment preferences.

Sexual Functioning Among Adults with Chronic Pain: Prevalence and Association with Pain-Related Outcomes.

Background: Prior research indicates that sexual functioning and chronic pain commonly coexist and impact each other; however, there are limitations in current research as to the prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic pain.

Method: This study used detailed measures across multiple domains of sexual functioning to describe the prevalence and correlates of self-reported sexual functioning among individuals with chronic pain presenting for treatment at a multidisciplinary pain management center (N = 247). Domains included sexual interest, satisfaction with sexual functioning, vaginal lubrication, vaginal discomfort, and erectile function.

Childhood Adversity Among Adults With Chronic Pain: Prevalence and Association With Pain-related Outcomes.

Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to the development and impact of chronic pain in adulthood. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ACEs in a treatment-seeking sample of adults with chronic pain and the relationship between number and type(s) of ACEs and pain-related outcomes.

Methods: Adults (N=1794) presenting for treatment at a multidisciplinary pain management center completed self-report measures of childhood adversity, pain, functioning, emotional distress, and adjustment to pain.

Mediators of change in depressed mood following pain rehabilitation among participants with mild, moderate, or severe depressive symptoms.

Background: Prior research indicates that depression and chronic pain commonly co-exist and impact each other. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) have been shown to lead to statistically and clinically significant improvements for patients who report both depressed mood and chronic pain, however there is a gap in the literature regarding the mechanisms by which these improvements occur.

Methods: This two-site, distinct sample study (Study 1: N = 303, 10-week, individual format, ACT-based program; Study 2: N = 406, 3-week, group format, CBT-based program) evaluated mediators of treatment improvement in depressive symptoms among adult IPRP participants who reported elevated depressive symptoms at program admission and examined treatment mechanisms for depressive symptoms.

Treatment of Insomnia within an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program: A Randomized Trial.

Background/objective: Prior research indicates interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP) usual care (UC) does not sufficiently address sleep problems among individuals with comorbid chronic pain and clinical levels of insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based insomnia intervention. The current study investigates the translation of CBT-I into an IPRP.

Sex differences in interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation outcomes: a systematic review.

Objectives: Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) are evidence-based treatments for chronic pain. Previous research has demonstrated that initial presentations of adult men and women admitted to IPRPs differ, but less is known about sex differences in IPRP treatment outcomes. To summarize and synthesize the current literature base on this topic, a systematic literature review was conducted that asked: are sex differences present in participant outcomes upon completion of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs for cisgender patients? Four core domains of outcome measures were assessed: depression, pain catastrophizing, pain interference, and pain intensity/severity.

Insomnia symptoms and chronic pain: Outcomes of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program.

Objectives: Insomnia is a highly prevalent problem among patients with chronic pain. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) are a leading treatment option for chronic pain; however, research is limited and existing findings are mixed on the impact of insomnia symptoms on IPRP outcomes and the extent to which insomnia symptoms improve as a result of IPRP treatment.

Methods: In this study, insomnia and pain-related outcomes following a 10-week IPRP were examined from a relatively large sample (N = 393) of adult patients with varying chronic pain conditions who completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at program admission and discharge.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for depressive disorders: Outcomes from a multi-state, multi-site primary care practice.

Background: Individuals with depressive disorders often present to and seek treatment in primary care. Integrated behavioral health services within this setting can improve access to evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, limited information exists on the effectiveness of CBT for depression in primary care.

Patients with Clinically Elevated Depressive Symptoms Report Improvements in Mood, Pain, and Functioning Following Participation in Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation.

Objective: Chronic pain and depression frequently co-occur and exacerbate one another; therefore, it is important to treat both conditions to improve patient outcomes. The current study evaluates an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP) with respect to the following questions: 1) How do clinically elevated depressive symptoms impact pain-related treatment outcomes? and 2) To what extent does IPRP participation yield reliable and clinically significant change in depressed mood?

Methods: Participants in this study included 425 adults who engaged in a 10-week IPRP and completed self-report measures of pain, mood, and functioning at intake and discharge. Participants were categorized into 4 groups based on self-reported depressive symptoms (PROMIS Depression): within normal limits (WNL; n = 121), Mild (n = 115), Moderate (n = 153), and Severe (n = 36).

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Treatment Outcomes in Adults.

Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are commonly reported by individuals with chronic pain. However, little is known about how ACE exposure influences treatment outcomes. The goal of the current study was to evaluate group and treatment-related differences among adults with varying levels of ACE exposure participating in a pain rehabilitation treatment program.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Outcomes From a Multi-State, Multi-Site Primary Care Practice.

Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. Individuals with anxiety typically seek services in primary, rather than specialty, care. While there is significant evidence supporting the efficacy and effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, there have been no naturalistic studies reporting anxiety-specific treatment outcomes in primary care.

Partner Abuse Among Treatment-Seeking Individuals with Chronic Pain: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Association with Pain-Related Outcomes.

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of abusive partner relationships among individuals presenting for chronic pain treatment. In addition, this study examined the association between partner abuse histories and pain-relevant outcome variables.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Examining the effectiveness of pain rehabilitation on chronic pain and post-traumatic symptoms.

Patients with co-morbid chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pose significant treatment challenges. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP) in improving pain and PTSD outcomes, as well as reducing medication use. In addition, the mediating effect of pain catastrophizing, which is theorized to underlie the pain and PTSD comorbidity, was examined.

Treatment Outcomes and Mechanisms for an ACT-Based 10-Week Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program.

Background: Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs are an evidence-based biopsychosocial treatment approach for chronic pain. The purpose of the current study is to assess outcomes for a 10-week interdisciplinary, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based, outpatient treatment model and to evaluate the relationship between psychological process variables (ie, pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, pain self-efficacy) and treatment outcomes.

Methods: 137 adults with chronic pain completed an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program.

The Mediating Effect of Pain Catastrophizing on PTSD Symptoms and Pain Outcome.

Objective: Coprevalence of chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) negatively impacts the course of both disorders. Patients diagnosed with both conditions report greater pain, affective distress, and disability when compared with those with either chronic pain or PTSD alone. While the prevalence and complexity of the comorbidity is widely acknowledged, there is a dearth of research examining potential mechanism variables that might account for the relationship between chronic pain and PTSD.

Initial outcomes of a real-world multi-site primary care psychotherapy program.

Objective: Although anxiety, mood, and adjustment disorders are commonly treated in primary care, little evidence exists regarding psychotherapy outcomes within this setting. The primary objective of this study was to describe outcomes of a large-scale primary care psychotherapy program.

Methods: Patients (N = 2772) participated in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as part of a multi-site primary care program.

Youth with Chronic Pain and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Treatment Mediators of Improvement in Functional Disability.

Intensive pain rehabilitation programs are effective in increasing functioning for youth with chronic pain (CP). However, the utility of such programs for youth with CP and co-morbid postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is rarely examined. In addition, studies examining mediators of treatment for CP are sparse.

Longitudinal Treatment Outcomes for an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program: Comparisons of Subjective and Objective Outcomes on the Basis of Opioid Use Status.

Unlabelled: Chronic pain is a major public health concern, and widespread use of prescription opioids for chronic pain has contributed to the escalating problem of opioid use disorder. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) can be highly effective in discontinuing opioids in patients with chronic pain while also improving functional status. This study sought to examine self-report and performance-based functional outcomes of 2 cohorts of patients enrolled in a 3-week IPRP: patients engaged in interdisciplinary pain treatment and physician-supervised opioid taper versus nonopioid users engaged in interdisciplinary treatment.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Under-recognized and responsive to treatment.

Mood or anxiety concerns, when explored, may reveal associated OCD symptoms. Pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy have proven effective.

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy in Primary Care.

The functional and financial effects of untreated psychiatric disorders within primary care have led to the development of novel service delivery models to improve access to high-quality, evidence-based mental health treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious and effective psychotherapeutic approach for treating a broad range of mental health conditions. CBT is a practical, skill-building approach that emphasizes self-efficacy and self-management of symptoms while working toward defined and measurable treatment goals.

The Associations Between Preceptor Team Lead Relationships and Resident Wellness in an Academic Medicine Setting: An Exploratory Study.

Background: Lack of wellness among physicians has been associated with increased risk for physical and mental illness, interpersonal discord, and occupational liability. In academic primary care practices, physician wellness and self-care behaviors have been associated with improved patient outcomes. With the increase in team-based care structures in primary care clinics and residencies there may be opportunities to promote wellness among primary clinicians, particularly among resident physicians who are at increased risk for decreased well being.

Development and implementation of a psychotherapy tracking database in primary care.

Introduction: Although there is a rapid increase in the integration of behavioral health services in primary care, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these services in real-world clinical settings, in part due to the difficulty of translating traditional mental health research designs to this setting. Accordingly, innovative approaches are needed to fit the unique challenges of conducting research in primary care. The development and implementation of one such approach is described in this article.

Unique Contributions of Acceptance and Catastrophizing on Chronic Pain Adaptation.

Purpose: Pain catastrophizing and acceptance represent distinct but interrelated constructs that influence adaptation to chronic pain. Clinical and laboratory research suggest that higher levels of catastrophizing and lower levels of acceptance predict worse functioning; however, findings have been mixed regarding which specific outcomes are associated with each construct. The current study evaluates these constructs in relation to pain, affect, and functioning in a treatment-seeking clinical sample.

Benzodiazepine use in patients with chronic pain in an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program.

Objectives: In the context of widespread opioid use, increased emphasis has been placed on the potentially deleterious effects of concurrent benzodiazepine (BZD) and opioid use. Although use of opioids in chronic pain has been a major focus, BZD use is equally concerning. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to determine the associations between BZD and opioid use in adults with chronic pain upon admission to an outpatient interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation (IPR) program.