Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Empathy in Patients with Chronic Pain.
- Author:
Man Kyu SONG
1
;
Soo Hee CHOI
;
Do Hyeong LEE
;
Kyung Jun LEE
;
Won Joon LEE
;
Do Hyung KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Chronic pain; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Empathy
- MeSH: Anxiety; Chronic Pain*; Depression; Education; Empathy*; Humans; Marital Status; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; Suicide; World Health Organization
- From:Psychiatry Investigation 2018;15(3):285-291
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in patients with chronic pain. However, the efficacy of CBT for impaired empathy has not been studied in this population. We investigated the effect of CBT on empathy in patients with chronic pain. METHODS: Patients with severe chronic pain were recruited. Empathy was assessed before and after CBT using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The patients underwent eight sessions over the course of 1 month conducted. Additional symptoms were assessed using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version, and the Scale for Suicide Ideation. RESULTS: A total of 26 participants were included. Pre-CBT pain severity assessed using the SF-MPQ was significantly correlated with the IRI-empathic concern subscale score (p=0.021), and the relationship remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, education level, and marital status. After CBT, the IRI-perspective-taking subscale scores (p=0.004) increased significantly and the IRI-personal distress subscale scores (p=0.013) decreased significantly in all participants. The SF-MPQ scores increased significantly (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: CBT improved empathy in patients with chronic pain independent of its effect on pain, suggesting that CBT is useful for improving interpersonal relationships in patients with chronic pain.
