title: 'I just wanted someone to tell me it wasn't all in my mind and do something for me': Qualitative exploration of acceptability of a CBT based intervention to manage chronic orofacial pain.
abstract: Introduction Evidence suggests that psychosocial management may produce improved outcomes for patients suffering from chronic orofacial pain (COFP), when symptoms cannot be attributed to pathology. A complex intervention, based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was developed by a multi-disciplinary team, using evidence synthesis. An important element of developing and evaluating complex interventions is to establish acceptability to stakeholders; therefore qualitative interviews with patients were carried out.Objectives To explore levels of acceptability of a complex intervention to manage COFP.Method Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 participants who had been referred to the intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging issues and themes from the data.Results Themes relating to processes of engagement with the intervention emerged. Important processes were: identification with the intervention; feeling believed and understood; obtaining a plausible explanation for symptoms; degree of perceived effort required to engage; acceptance of having a long-term condition; and receiving demonstrative, positive feedback.Conclusion Patients presenting with unexplained COFP in a secondary care setting are able to accept a CBT based intervention to manage their condition. Findings may offer guidance for dentists who are not used to referring patients to psychosocial interventions and inform the way dentists communicate the nature of unexplained symptoms to patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, Dental Health Unit, Williams house, Manchester Science Park. Manchester M15 6SE.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldthorpe
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Coupland 1, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Jean MacFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.affiliation: Midwifery, Social Work and Counselling &Psychotherapy, University of Leeds, Baines Wing, Leeds, LS2 9JT.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical and Cognitive Neurosciences, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003815:Dentists; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans