Hybrid emotion-focused exposure for chronic pain

A chronic pain problem is characterized by suffering in the form of distress.  Despite the fact that the co-occurrence of distress and pain is strongly related to poor outcomes, there is no treatment-of-choice currently available.  This project investigated the use of a hybrid treatment consisting of exposure techniques for pain-related fear and negative emotions.  In addition, it features discrimination training to ensure that the patient's responses are in tune with environmental demands.  The treatment was tested and evaluated in controlled studies.

Publications

Linton, S.J. (2010). Applying dialectical behavior therapy to chronic pain: A case study, Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 1(1), 50-54

Boersma, K., Södermark, M., Hesser, H., Flink, I. K., Gerdle, B., & Linton, S. J. (2019). Efficacy of a transdiagnostic emotion–focused exposure treatment for chronic pain patients with comorbid anxiety and depression: a randomized controlled trial. Pain, 160(8), 1708. 

Linton, S. J. (2013). A transdiagnostic approach to pain and emotion. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 18(2), 82-103. 

Södermark, M., Linton, S. J., Hesser, H., Flink, I., Gerdle, B., & Boersma, K. (2020). What works? Processes of change in a transdiagnostic exposure treatment for patients with chronic pain and emotional problems. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 36(9), 648-657.