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Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy pp 71–81Cite as

Psychological Treatment for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

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Abstract

There are very few studies of psychological treatments for neuropathic pain, such as diabetic neuropathy. This seems unnecessary as studies that examine such issues show that psychological factors involved in neuropathic pain appear the same as those in non-neuropathic pain. Certainly the impacts of neuropathic pain on daily emotional, physical, and social functioning are equivalent, if not greater. Broadly cognitive behavioral treatments have a very good record of success in treatment of chronic pain in general, and appear to be the most direct way to improve daily functioning. These include traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, graded exposure, and other approaches. Further development and application of these methods to neuropathic pain is recommended.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Psychology Section, Psychology Department, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, SE1 9RT, London, UK

    Lance M. McCracken Ph.D.

  2. INPUT Pain Management Centre, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Lance M. McCracken Ph.D.

  3. Pain Management Clinic, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Su-Yin Yang B.Sc., M.Sc.

Authors
  1. Lance M. McCracken Ph.D.
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  2. Su-Yin Yang B.Sc., M.Sc.
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Correspondence to Lance M. McCracken Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, Campus Point Dr 9300, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Erin Lawson

  2. , Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Highland Avenue 1685, Madison, 53705-2281, Wisconsin, USA

    Miroslav "Misha" Backonja

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McCracken, L.M., Yang, SY. (2013). Psychological Treatment for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. In: Lawson, E., Backonja, M. (eds) Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6299-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6299-6_7

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