title: Cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in a German self-help organization.
abstract: A cognitive-behavioral treatment program for pain control was administered to 22 subjects with a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a self-help setting of the German Rheumatism League. A sample of 17 AS subjects from the same setting served as waiting-list controls. The program consisted of training in progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, attention related techniques and pleasant activity scheduling, and was aimed at an improvement of self-control strategies. Ratings of pain severity, anxiety, depression, psychophysiological complaints, and sleep disturbances were used to evaluate the outcome. Follow-up assessments were conducted six months post treatment. A significant interaction between treatment condition and assessment period was demonstrated. Further analyses indicate a beneficial effect of the treatment in all outcome measures apart from general symptoms during pain attacks at the follow-up assessment. Reductions of pain intensity, anxiety, and psychophysiological symptoms were maintained at 12 month follow-up. Although pain reduction was statistically significant, it did not exceed 14% in the pain diary. The more important aspect of the treatment appears to be emotional stabilization and increased feelings of well-being.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, University of Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Basler
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Rehfisch
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012803:Sick Role; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation