Einzel- und Gruppentherapie in der Behandlung chronischer Schmerzen—Gibt es Effektivitätsunterschiede? = Individual versus group training in the treatment of chronic pain: Which is more efficacious?

Investigated differences in outcome of standardized outpatient pain management training in individual vs group treatment. Psychological pain treatment was administered in addition to medical treatment. 34 chronic pain patients were treated in each setting. 34 patients treated only medically were controls. The primary outcome measures were subjective disability, catastrophizing and depression. Results showed that patients who received additional psychological training showed a better outcome than the controls in nearly all analyzed 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. Depression scores showed no noteworthy differences. This was true for nearly all other variables. Taking the mostly nonsignificant differences between group and individual training into account, the authors conclud that psychological pain management training should be conducted in a group setting because of its cost-effectiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 1999-01912-004. Translated Title: Individual versus group training in the treatment of chronic pain: Which is more efficacious? Other Journal Title: Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie: Forschung und Praxis. Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Frettlöh, Jutta; Ruhr-U, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie der Medizinischen Fakultät, Bochum, Germany. Release Date: 20000401. Correction Date: 20160222. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Chronic Pain; Group Psychotherapy; Individual Psychotherapy; Pain Management; Treatment Outcomes. Minor Descriptor: Client Attitudes; Depression (Emotion); Outpatient Treatment; Catastrophizing. Classification: Behavioral & Psychological Treatment of Physical Illness (3361). Population: Human (10); Outpatient (60). Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300); Middle Age (40-64 yrs) (360). Methodology: Empirical Study; Treatment Outcome. Page Count: 11. Issue Publication Date: 1999.