Components evaluated
| Components | Theoretical bases | Component description |
|---|---|---|
| Component 2: pain information (day 1) | ACT30–32 | Participants watched a DVD aimed at educating them about chronic pain and introducing them, through facilitated discussion, to the notion of acceptance of their pain |
| Component 3: acceptance (day 1) | ACT30–32 | Participants were asked to consider a scenario about an uninvited/unwanted guest as a metaphor for their pain |
| Component 5: the pain cycle (day 1) | Fear avoidance model33 | Groups were introduced to the pain cycle and the varied and individual emotions and behaviours that may perpetuate that cycle |
| Component 9: identifying problems, goal setting and action planning (day 2) | CBT and theories of reasoned action/behaviour34 35 | Groups were introduced to strategies to enable them to systematically identify problems, brainstorm creative solutions, set goals and devise strategies to escape the pain cycle |
| Component 10: barriers to change—unhelpful thinking (day 2) | CBT and rational emotive therapy34 36 | Groups were encouraged to consider that reflexive, automatic thinking patterns may prevent individuals from achieving their goals |
| Component 11: barriers to change—reframing negatives to positives (day 2) | ACT,30–32 CBT and change management principles34 | Participants were asked to consider what they were able to do rather than what they were unable to do |
| Component 12: attention control and distraction (day 2) | Attention control and distraction techniques37 | Participants were introduced to techniques that might enable them to focus their minds away from thoughts about pain |
ACT, acceptance and commitment theory; CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy.