Current and future trends in psychology and chronic pain: time for a change?

Abstract

Psychological approaches to chronic pain have produced significant success and are widely accepted. Yet it can be difficult for those outside the field to understand the many different variables, processes and methods that are a part of these approaches. This is partly because these approaches are characterized by a wide variety of models, each with its own primary focus and background assumptions, and these can change over time. It may be difficult to create greater consistency and integration between currently disparate psychological approaches, but there may be advantages to doing so. This integration could be helped by an appropriately designed and appropriately organizing theoretical model. It is suggested that what is called the psychological flexibility model could provide such a point of integration.