Work

Understanding why cognitive–behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for children and adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, the specific psychological changes that occur during treatment that explain why CBT works are not well understood. Historically, the increased use of specific coping strategies learned during CBT was thought to be the primary reason for why CBT was effective. However, evidence to support the notion that increases in adaptive coping directly lead to patient improvement is minimal. Instead, a growing number of studies in adults suggest that CBT results in more global changes of psychological perceptions of the pain itself (cognitive appraisals) and one's ability to manage the pain. This report discusses the role of coping and aspects of cognitive appraisal as potential psychological changes that explain CBT-related improvements for youths with juvenile fibromyalgia.

Source: International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology

DOI: 10.2217/ijr.13.3

Authors: Soumitri Sil, Susmita Kashikar-Zuck

Institutions: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati

Language: English

Topic: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases