Evans, et al. (2003). Randomized Trial of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Versus Supportive Psychotherapy for HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathic Pain.

[Wise Young]

• Evans S, Fishman B, Spielman L and Haley A (2003). Randomized Trial of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Versus Supportive Psychotherapy for HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathic Pain. Psychosomatics 44:44-50. Summary: The feasibility and acceptability of cognitive behavior therapy for HIV-related peripheral neuropathic pain was examined and the potential efficacy of the intervention was compared with that of supportive psychotherapy in reducing pain, pain-related interference with functioning, and distress. Sixty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive six weekly sessions of cognitive behavior therapy or supportive psychotherapy. Thirty-three subjects completed the protocol. Both groups showed significant reductions in pain. The cognitive behavior group improved in most domains of pain-related functional interference and distress; the supportive psychotherapy group showed fewer gains. The high dropout rate suggests that psychotherapeutic treatments for HIV-related pain may have limited feasibility and acceptability. Received Feb. 15, 2002.

[klau123]

I live in England.
My mother was in a similar situation.
We were lucky to find some very interesting information at
http://www.exclusivehypnotherapy.co.uk/ (http://www.exclusivehypnotherapy.co.uk/)

Hope this gives a little contribution.

[TAM63]

Interesting. But supportive types of therapy (Rogerian, etc.) depend partly on forming a bond between the therapist and the patient, and six weeks isn't very long to do that. Since there were benefits, I wonder what a longer trial might have shown.