Psychological Interventions

Clinicians who work with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients recognize that successful management of the syndrome presents a significant challenge. In the absence of any definitive medical treatment, 2 the need for multidisciplinary management of CRPS has been emphasized. It is now generally agreed that successful treatment must simultaneously address the medical, psychological, and social aspects of the syndrome. As will be described below, there are several reasons why addressing psychological and behavioral factors may be crucial to successful treatment in patients with CRPS. A rationale for use of psychological interventions in the management of CRPS will first be described. The treatment outcome literature regarding efficacy of psychological interventions for CRPS will then be presented, followed by a brief overview of relevant meta-analytic literature regarding efficacy of such interventions for non-CRPS chronic pain conditions. Finally, an overview of clinical recommendations for psychological care of CRPS patients based on both research literature and clinical experience will be presented.