Biofeedback-assisted Stress Reduction Program Yields Improvements in Pain

Ninety-two SLE patients were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatment conditions: (1) biofeedback-assisted cognitive-behavioral treatment (BF/CBT), (2) a symptom-monitoring support (SMS) intervention, or (3) usual medical care (UC). Subjects were assessed for changes in pain, psychological functioning and perceived physical functioning, and again at 9-month follow-up.

The study found that the patients receiving biofeedback-assisted cognitive-behavioral treatment had significantly greater reductions in pain and psychological dysfunction, as compared with the symptom-monitoring support group (pain, P = 0.044; psychological functioning, P < 0.001) and the usual care group (pain, P = 0.028; psychological functioning, P < 0.001).

In addition the BF/CBT group had significantly greater improvement in perceived physical function, as compared with UC (P = 0.035). Improvement relative to SMS was marginally significant (P = 0.097).

At a 9-month followup evaluation, BF/CBT continued to exhibit relative benefit compared with UC in psychological functioning (P = 0.023).

The study concludes that the brief stress management program yielded short-term improvement in pain, psychological function, and perceived physical function among persons with SLE who experience pain.

Citation: Greco CM, Rudy TE, Manzi S. Effects of a stress-reduction program on psychological function, pain, and physical function of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2004 Aug 15;51 (4): pages 625-34. grecocm@upmc.edu