Table 1

Outline of the course and theoretical models

DaySessionsModule aimsTheory
11: Introduction
2: Pain education DVD
3: Acceptance: the uninvited guest		Understanding pain and acceptanceAcceptance and Commitment Therapy19 45
Lunch break
Taster activity (eg, art)Distract from pain perception with physical activityAttention and distraction
4: Pain, when is it bearable and when is it not?Pain is not just physiological; it is a psychological, emotional and social phenomenonBiopsychosocial model of medicine46
5: The pain cycleRecognising the pain cycle and signposting ways outFear avoidance and catastrophising47
6: Movement and posture
7: Breathing and relaxation (CD track 1)		Reduce muscle tension to ease pain and become aware of physical weakness and strengthen areasPhysical therapy principles and Alexander technique, biofeedback
28: Reflections from day oneImprove social bonding, group cohesion and community social supportSocial cognitive theory,30 48 social learning theory29
9: Identifying problems, goal setting and action planning
10: Barriers to change—unhelpful thinking		Recognising errors in thinking in order to promote a constructive/rational view of a situationCognitive therapy,20 49 theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour,50–52 rational emotive therapy53
Lunch break
Taster activity (eg,, art)Distract from pain perception with physical activityAttention and distraction
11: Barriers to change—reframing negatives to positivesRecognising errors in thinking in order to promote a constructive/rational view of a situationCognitive therapy20 49 and theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour 50–52
12: Attention control and distractionDistract from pain perception using visualisationAttention control54
13: Identifying things that make pain more manageableReminders to apply techniques as coping strategiesEmbedding learning
14: Movement and balance
15: Breathing, relaxation and visualisation (CD track 2)		Reduce muscle tension to ease pain, become aware of physical weakness and strengthen areas. Distraction from pain perception using visualisationPhysical therapy principles and attention management54
316: Reflections from day 2Improve social bonding, group cohesion and community social supportSocial cognitive theory30 48
17: Communication with health professionals
18: Listening skills		Promote constructive healthcare consultations and effective communicationTheories of reasoned action and planned behaviour 50–52 and Social cognitive theory30 48
19: Anger, irritability and frustrationRecognising errors in thinking in order to promote a constructive/rational view of a situationCognitive therapy20 49 theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour 50–52
Lunch break
Taster activity (eg, art)Distract from pain perception with physical activityAttention management
20: Movement and stretch
21: Breathing, relaxation and mindfulness (CD track 3)		Reduce muscle tension to ease pain, become aware of physical weakness and strengthen areas. Distraction from pain perception using mindfulnessPhysical therapy principles and attention management54
22: Summing upReminders to apply techniques as coping strategiesEmbedding learning
Follow-up23: Reflections and narrativesImprove social bonding, group cohesion and community social supportSocial cognitive theory30 48
24: Managing setbacksReminders to apply techniques as coping strategiesEmbedding learning