Background & Aims

There has been debate over the relationship between biological sex and pain with women reporting greater frequency and severity of pain than men (Casale et al., 2021). Chronic pain in older women can lead to a decline in the quality of life, increased stress, and various other health concerns (Samami, 2021). Psychological interventions for chronic pain have been beneficial in decreasing pain, but we do not know their value specifically for women (Samami, 2021).

Methods

This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of psychological pain reduction interventions in women. A search was conducted in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases for psychological interventions for pain in women over the age of 50

Results

Studies included had at least a 90% female sample. A total of 13 articles out of the 484 reviewed from the search criteria met eligibility criteria and examined pain as a primary outcome. There were a total of 1,130 females across the studies. The review found 12 out of the 13 studies indicated improvements in pain compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Psychological treatments related to hypnosis, relaxation training, cognitive-behavioral therapies, attentional bias, behavior modification, and mindfulness were effective for decreasing pain intensity for women diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-surgical pain.

References

Casale, R., Atzeni, F., Bazzichi, L., Beretta, G., Costantini, E., Sacerdote, P., & Tassorelli, C. (2021). Pain in women: A perspective review on a relevant clinical issue that deserves prioritization. Pain & Therapy, 10(1), 287–314. https://doi-org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/10.1007/s40122-021-00244-1

Samami, E., Shahhosseini, Z., & Elyasi, F. (2021). The effect of psychological interventions on the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 28(3), 503–517. https://doi-org.libdata.lib.ua.edu/10.1007/s10880-021-09794-0

Presenting Author

Patricia Tsui

Poster Authors

Patricia Tsui

PhD

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Lead Author

Bailey Gossett

University of Alabama School of Social Work

Lead Author

Topics

  • Pain in Special Populations: Elderly