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Values-Based Behavioral Activation for Chronic Pain in Primary Care: A Pilot Study

  • Stephanie A. HookerEmail author
  • Andrew H. Slattengren
  • Lucas Boyle
  • Michelle D. Sherman
Article
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Abstract

Chronic pain is prevalent and can be complex to manage in primary care. Encouraging patients with chronic pain to engage in valued activities has been associated with reduced disability and distress. This single-arm, mixed methods pilot study examined whether adding a values-based behavioral activation intervention to a chronic pain protocol is feasible and acceptable in an urban, underserved family medicine residency clinic. Patients (N = 30) living with chronic pain completed a values assessment and co-created a plan with a psychologist to engage in values-based activities. Patients completed self-report measures of psychological health and functioning pre- and post-intervention and a qualitative interview at the follow-up visit. The intervention was considered feasible and acceptable. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction and enjoyment of the intervention and significantly less pain interference at follow-up compared to baseline. Values-based behavioral activation for chronic pain may be implemented as part of behavioral health practice in primary care.

Keywords

Chronic pain Family medicine Behavioral interventions Values Integrated primary care 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians Resident Research Grant.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of interest

Stephanie A. Hooker, Andrew H. Slattengren, Lucas Boyle, and Michelle D. Sherman declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report.

Research Involving Human Subjects

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Family Medicine and Community HealthUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisUSA
  2. 2.HealthPartners InstituteMinneapolisUSA

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