A pilot study of the treatment of outpatients with chronic pain: symptom control, stimulus control and social system intervention.

Of 6 outpatients with chronic pain, 5 completed therapy based on a 3-part treatment package designed to provide symptom control, stimulus control and social system modification. Each of the components of the treatment package resulted in therapeutic change. A mean of 35.8 weekly hour long therapy sessions resulted in statistically significant decreases in pain, hopelessness, depression and analgesic medication intake. Generally, these improvements were maintained at 6 months and 1 year follow-up. This study is consistent with the notion that chronic pain is maintained by a combination of inter- and intrapersonal factors. A controlled comparison of this treatment program with other treatments for chronic pain is indicated.