Interoceptive Exposure in treatment of disabling fear of pain.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Interoceptive Exposure as a treatment option for disabling fear of pain: a single case series.
IRAS ID
226054
Contact name
Aleksandra Puchala
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
No: PY17/100386, Leeds Teaching Hospitals R&I ref. number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 28 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the use of Interoceptive Exposure (IE) in treatment of disabling fear of pain using a single-case series design. The study population is defined as adults who suffer from chronic pain and have been referred to clinical psychology to help them cope with their pain better. Chronic pain is continuous, long-term pain of more than 12 weeks duration or pain that persists beyond the expected period of healing after trauma or surgery (British Pain Society, 2011).
The intervention Interoceptive Exposure (IE) is an exposure to bodily sensations used in treatment of variety of problems where body sensations are experienced as threatening. The application of IE is expected to reduce the threat value of pain and subsequently promote recovery. There is a lack of research that focuses on efficacy of specific therapeutic techniques in the field of chronic pain. Additionally, the application of IE in treatment of fear of pain has been understudied. This study will evaluate the effects of IE and will briefly comprise of: education session explaining the rationale behind IE practice, teaching of the technique, supervised IE practice and self-monitored home practice twice daily for the period of two weeks. Depending on the length of the baseline (i.e. observation period before the start of the intervention) the study will last between 5 and 8 weeks. A short nine item instrument (i.e. Daily Diary) was designed to measure: pain experience (intensity and interference), fear of pain and pain anxiety on a daily basis. Other standard outcome measures include: pain related anxiety, pain catastrophising, pain related disability, knowledge about pain and general anxiety and depression. Study participants will be recruited during routine psychology screening assessment at the Pain Clinic at St James' Hospital. This study will recruit from the clinical psychology waiting list patients.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0660
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion