Development and psychometric evaluation of the Polish version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ).

Background: Chronic pain remains a significant health concern, particularly among older adults. Pain acceptance - engaging in valued activities despite pain without attempting to control or avoid it - is thought to buffer against the negative psychosocial impacts of chronic pain.

Objective: The present study aimed to adapt to Polish and evaluate the psychometric properties of a widely used measure of pain acceptance, namely the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ).

Assessment of stigma in Spanish people with chronic pain using the 8-item Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses (SSCI-8).

Stigma is common in people with chronic pain. At present, however, the measurement of stigma in Spanish-speaking individuals remains a challenge due to a lack of validated measures in Spanish. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses 8-item version (SSCI-8) in people with chronic pain, focusing on dimensionality, factorial invariance, reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), and construct validity.

Baseline characteristics of participants in the Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments clinical trial: a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial for chronic low back pain†.

Objective: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a significant public health problem in the United States. A method to identify treatments that are most likely effective for an individual patient based on their unique characteristics is needed.

Methods: The Biomarkers for Evaluating Spine Treatments (BEST) Trial is a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial designed to estimate an optimal treatment or combination of treatments to reduce pain intensity and interference at 24 weeks in individuals with cLBP.

The Association Between COVID-19-Related Persistent Symptoms, Psychological Flexibility, and General Mental Health Among People With and Without Persistent Pain in the UK.

Persistent symptoms following COVID-19 may adversely impact the general mental health of people with chronic pain, and psychological flexibility may buffer these impacts. However, it remains unclear whether such lasting implications of COVID-19 differ between people with and without chronic pain. This study investigated the relationships between persistent symptoms post-COVID-19, psychological flexibility, and general mental health among people with and without persistent pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the 12-item Polish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire.

The Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ) is widely used to assess attention to pain, but no validated Polish version has been previously available. This study aimed to translate the PVAQ into Polish and evaluate its psychometric properties. Two studies were conducted: Study 1 included 418 chronic pain patients recruited online who completed the scale alongside measures of depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, pain intensity, functional limitations, and psychological flexibility.

User-Driven Development of a Digital Behavioral Intervention for Chronic Pain: Multimethod Multiphase Study.

Background: Recent research shows that chronic pain affects 27% of the adult population. For many, pain significantly impairs quality of life and everyday functioning. Behavioral interventions have shown utility, but access remains limited.

The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility and Inflexibility Between Impulsivity and Opioid Misuse in People With Chronic Noncancer Pain.

Background: The prescription of opioid medication is a frequent therapeutic approach in chronic noncancer pain, as is misuse of prescribed opioids. There is previous evidence for associations between personal variables such as impulsivity and opioid misuse. Psychological flexibility and inflexibility have also been associated with pain-related outcomes and opioid misuse.

Long-term pain and health economic outcomes in adults receiving multidisciplinary CBT for chronic pain: the role of psychological inflexibility.

Background: Little is known about whether the recommended, non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain yield reductions in healthcare utilization, social costs and increased productivity in actual practice.

Methods: The primary aim of this study ( = 232) was to conduct secondary analyses of health economic outcomes using data from national registries combined with clinical outcome data from a large pain center in Sweden conducting multidisciplinary treatment based on a cognitive behavioral approach. Specifically, pain-related and health economic outcomes at post-treatment and one, two and three years after discharge were examined.

Development, psychometric properties, and cutoff scores of the Polish version of the 20-item Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS-20) in a chronic pain sample.

Fear and avoidance remain important concepts for understanding chronic pain. The objective of our research was to develop and evaluate a Polish version of a measure to assess these concepts: the 20-item Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS-20). The goal also included establishing a cutoff score to differentiate between individuals with a high level of pain-related disability and those with lower levels.

Design and implementation of online acceptance and commitment therapy with enhanced therapist support for chronic low back pain (ACT for PAIN).

Background: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) typically involves behavior patterns in the development and maintenance of symptoms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment for chronic pain shown to improve pain-related depression, anxiety, and sleep, as well as pain catastrophizing, pain interference, and levels of reported pain. It has been proven effective when delivered in person or online, but an online therapist-enhanced ACT has not been tested to treat cLBP.

Are people with chronic pain more diverse than we think? An investigation of ergodicity.

This study investigates whether data from people with endometriosis (n = 58) and fibromyalgia (n = 58) exhibit what is called "ergodicity," meaning that results from analyses of aggregated group data can be used to support conclusions about the individuals within the groups. The variables studied here are commonly investigated in chronic pain: pain intensity, pain interference, depressive symptoms, psychological flexibility, and pain catastrophizing. Data were collected twice daily for 42 days from each participant and analyzed in 2 ways: as separate cross-sectional group studies using the timepoints as the separate data sets (between-person) and as individual longitudinal studies using each person's time series data (within person).

Predicting adherence and clinical response of cognitive behavioral therapy among individuals with chronic low back pain plus depressive symptoms: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Identifying predictors for adherence and clinical response to psychological therapies is essential for improving individual treatment outcomes.

Objective: To explore predictors of adherence and clinical response among individuals with co-occurring chronic low back pain (CLBP) and depression receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Methods: This study employs a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial (NCT04140838), including 156 individuals with CLBP plus depressive symptoms who received CBT.

Clinician and researcher responses to the term pain catastrophizing and whether new terminology is needed: Content analysis of international, cross-sectional, qualitative survey data.

Pain catastrophizing is understood as a negative cognitive and emotional response to pain. Researchers, clinicians, advocates, and patients have reported stigmatizing effects of the term on patients when used clinically and in the media. This report describes the results of an international, observational, cross-sectional study investigation of clinician and researcher (professionals) perspectives on the term pain catastrophizing and whether new terminology is needed or desired.

The self in pain.

Chronic pain can be highly distressing, disabling and complex. The experience of living with chronic pain often leads to a fundamental struggle with one's sense of self and identity. In this article, we briefly review the wide range of conceptualisations of self in pain research.

Comprehensive and Efficient Assessment of Psychological Flexibility in the Context of Chronic Pain.

Background: The Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI) is a measure of all facets of psychological flexibility and inflexibility, potentially important processes of change in psychological treatment for chronic pain. In some contexts, it can be considered too long. The aim of this study was, therefore, to validate a short form MPFI (MPFI-24P) in a chronic pain sample.

Long-Term Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Compared to Standard Medical Care for Improving Quality of Life in Muscle Disorders.

Introduction/aims: A previous randomized controlled trial showed that guided self-help acceptance and commitment therapy plus standard medical care (ACT+SMC) was superior to standard medical care alone (SMC) for improving quality of life (QoL) and mood at 9-weeks post randomization in a sample of people with muscle disorders (MD). This follow-up study evaluated whether these effects were maintained in the longer term alongside individual patterns of response.

Methods: The original study was a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial, which compared ACT+SMC to SMC.

The clinical and cost effectiveness of internet-delivered self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for family carers of people with dementia (iACT4CARERS): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with ethnically diverse family carers.

Background: Following the successful completion of feasibility and acceptability studies of internet-delivered self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for family carers of people with dementia (iACT4CARERS), a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating its clinical and cost effectiveness will be conducted. This paper describes the design and protocol for a multi-site, parallel, single-blind, 2-arm RCT evaluating the clinical and cost effectiveness of iACT4CARERS plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) in comparison to TAU alone for reducing anxiety in family carers of people with dementia.

Methods: 496 family carers aged ≥18 years, who are caring for a person with dementia, will be recruited from national healthcare services, general practices and community groups in England.

Psychometric examination of the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory Short Form (MPFI-24) and the Psy-Flex Spanish versions in individuals with chronic pain.

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been found to be beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic pain. The theoretical mechanisms of change proposed by ACT are based on the Hexaflex model. To comprehensively reflect this model, the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI) and Psy-Flex have been developed.

Self-guided digital behavioural therapy versus active control for fibromyalgia (PROSPER-FM): a phase 3, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Background: International guidelines have recommended cognitive behavioural therapy, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as it offers validated benefits for managing fibromyalgia; however, it is inaccessible to most patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a 12-week, self-guided, smartphone-delivered digital ACT programme on fibromyalgia management.

Methods: In the PROSPER-FM randomised clinical trial conducted at 25 US community sites, adult participants aged 22-75 years with fibromyalgia were recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to the digital ACT group or an active control group that offered daily symptom tracking and monitoring and access to health-related and fibromyalgia-related educational materials.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy plus usual care for improving quality of life in people with motor neuron disease (COMMEND): a multicentre, parallel, randomised controlled trial in the UK.

Background: Motor neuron disease is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological therapy incorporating acceptance, mindfulness, and behaviour change techniques. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ACT plus usual care, compared with usual care alone, for improving quality of life in people with motor neuron disease.

Cost-effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for people living with motor neuron disease, and their health-related quality of life.

Background: Given the degenerative nature of the condition, people living with motor neuron disease (MND) experience high levels of psychological distress. The purpose of this research was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), adapted for the specific needs of this population, for improving quality of life.

Methods: A trial-based cost-utility analysis over a 9-month period was conducted comparing ACT plus usual care (n = 97) versus usual care alone (n = 94) from the perspective of the National Health Service.

Study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness, cost-utility, and physiological effects of a fully self-guided digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Spanish patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent pain syndrome with significant healthcare and societal costs. The aim of the SMART-FM-SP study is to determine the effectiveness, cost-utility, and physiological effects in patients with FM of a digital intervention (STANZA®) currently marketed in the United States, which delivers smartphone-based, fully self-guided Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Digital ACT) for treating FM-related symptoms.

Methods: A single-site, parallel-group, superiority, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, including a total of 360 adults diagnosed with FM.

Access to psychological treatment for chronic cancer-related pain in Sweden.

Objectives: Cancer-related pain (CRP) is among the most frequent collateral effects of cancer, with chronic CRP, lasting at least 3 months, affecting >40% of cancer survivors. Evidence-based treatments, including pain-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are available, but it appears that cancer patients/survivors are often poorly informed about CRP or the potential benefits of CBT for such pain. This study examined current experience of Swedish cancer patients/survivors in relation to CRP.