In a randomized, controlled, clinical trial at The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, researchers assessed the effects of a stress-reduction program on pain, psychological function, and physical function in persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who experience pain.

Ninety-two SLE patients were assigned randomly to receive either biofeedback-assisted cognitive-behavioral treatment (BF/CBT), a symptom-monitoring support (SMS) intervention, or usual medical care (UC) alone.

The study found that BF/CBT participants had significantly greater reductions in pain and psychological dysfunction as compared with the SMS group (pain, P = 0.044; psychological functioning, P < 0.001) and the UC group (pain, P = 0.028; psychological functioning, P < 0.001). In addition, the BF/CBT group had significantly greater improvement in perceived physical function as compared with UC (P = 0.035), and improvement relative to SMS was marginally significant (P = 0.097). At a 9-month followup evaluation, BF/CBT continued to exhibit relative benefit compared with UC in psychological functioning (P = 0.023).

The study's outcomes support the utility of a brief stress management program for short-term improvement in pain, psychological function, and perceived physical function among persons with SLE who experience pain.

Greco CM, Rudy TE, Manzi S. Effects of a stress-reduction program on psychological function, pain, and physical function of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis and Rheum. 2004 Aug 15; 51 (4): pages 625-34. grecocm@upmc.edu

Posted: 12/30/2006



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