Elderly people living with chronic pain may find some relief if they treat it with psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Researchers looked at 22 studies that evaluated 2,608 participants undergoing psychological interventions. The results indicated that psychological interventions proved effective for many adults battling chronic pain. CBT methods reduced their pain, minimized their catastrophic thinking and improved their self-efficacy, equipping them with the confidence to successfully manage their pain.
Even though many of the studies didn’t evaluate the long-term effects associated with the psychological therapies, this study still demonstrates the benefits that come with the treatment, the authors say.
