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Barriers and Facilitators of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Chronic Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review.

The journal of pain
May 1, 2023
Elizabeth S Goldsmith et al. (10 authors)
Systematic ReviewJournal ArticleReviewResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Human Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to the uptake of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and other evidence-based psychotherapies for chronic pain treatment.

Results Summary

The study found that MBSR, along with CBT and ACT, is effective for chronic pain but underutilized due to patient-level barriers like variable buy-in and competing responsibilities, while facilitators included positive group dynamics. Most MBSR studies assessed group formats, but gaps remain in comparing formats (group vs. individual, telehealth vs. in-person).

Population

Adults with chronic pain in outpatient settings (US, UK, Ireland, Canada, or Australia).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
increase
outcomes in chronic pain
adults with chronic pain
-
demonstrated effectiveness for improving
#1
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
increase
outcomes in chronic pain
adults with chronic pain
-
demonstrated effectiveness for improving
#2
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
increase
outcomes in chronic pain
adults with chronic pain
-
demonstrated effectiveness for improving
#3
Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have demonstrated effectiveness for improving outcomes in chronic pain. These evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) remain underutilized in clinical practice, however. To identify research gaps and next steps for improving uptake of EBPs, we conducted a systematic review of patient-, provider-, and system-level barriers and facilitators of their use for chronic pain. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases from inception through September 2022. Prespecified eligibility criteria included outpatient treatment of adults with chronic pain; examination of barriers and facilitators and/or evaluation of implementation strategies; conducted in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Canada or Australia; and publication in English. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and rated quality. We conducted a qualitative synthesis of results using a best-fit framework approach building upon domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We identified 34 eligible studies (33 moderate or high quality), most (n = 28) of which addressed patient-level factors. Shared barriers across EBPs included variable patient buy-in to therapy rationale and competing responsibilities for patients; shared facilitators included positive group or patient-therapist dynamics. Most studies examining ACT and all examining MBSR assessed only group formats. No studies compared barriers, facilitators, or implementation strategies of group CBT to individual CBT, or of telehealth to in-person EBPs. Conceptual mismatches of patient knowledge and beliefs with therapy principles were largely analyzed qualitatively, and studies did not explore how these mismatches were addressed to support engagement. Future research on EBPs for chronic pain in real-world practice settings is needed to explore provider and system-level barriers and facilitators, heterogeneity of effects and uptake, and both effects and uptake of EBPs delivered in various formats, including group vs individual therapy and telehealth or asynchronous digital approaches. PERSPECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes evidence on barriers and facilitators to uptake of cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain. Findings can guide future implementation work to increase availability and use of evidence-based psychotherapies for treatment of chronic pain. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO number CRD42021252038.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAdultAcceptance and Commitment TherapyChronic PainPsychotherapyAustraliaCanada
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations10
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio4.03
NIH Percentile90.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.93
Normalized Score0.67
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