Psychiatry Investig.  2018 Mar;15(3):285-291. 10.30773/pi.2017.07.03.

Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Empathy in Patients with Chronic Pain

• Song MK
• Choi SH
• Lee DH
• Lee KJ
• Lee WJ
• Kang DH

• KMID: 2429157
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2017.07.03

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in patients with chronic pain. However, the efficacy of CBT for impaired empathy has not been studied in this population. We investigated the effect of CBT on empathy in patients with chronic pain.
METHODS
Patients with severe chronic pain were recruited. Empathy was assessed before and after CBT using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The patients underwent eight sessions over the course of 1 month conducted. Additional symptoms were assessed using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version, and the Scale for Suicide Ideation.
RESULTS
A total of 26 participants were included. Pre-CBT pain severity assessed using the SF-MPQ was significantly correlated with the IRI-empathic concern subscale score (p=0.021), and the relationship remained significant after adjusting for sex, age, education level, and marital status. After CBT, the IRI-perspective-taking subscale scores (p=0.004) increased significantly and the IRI-personal distress subscale scores (p=0.013) decreased significantly in all participants. The SF-MPQ scores increased significantly (p=0.021).
CONCLUSION
CBT improved empathy in patients with chronic pain independent of its effect on pain, suggesting that CBT is useful for improving interpersonal relationships in patients with chronic pain.

Keyword

Chronic pain; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Empathy

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Chronic Pain*
Depression
Education
Empathy*
Humans
Marital Status
Pain Measurement
Quality of Life
Suicide
World Health Organization