Positive psychology interventions can improve mental health for chronic pain patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective

This study examines the efficacy of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) for patients with chronic pain through a systematic review and meta-analysis. PPIs are defined as strategies that involve focusing on positive emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that improve mental health by increasing mental well-being and reducing psychological distress.

Design

The search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases.

Main Outcome Measures

Subjective, psychological, and social well-being were used as indicators of mental well-being, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were used as indicators of psychological distress. Results: Nine studies were included. Eight studies evaluated subjective well-being, seven evaluated depression, and three evaluated anxiety symptoms. No studies examined psychological well-being, social well-being, or stress. PPIs were found to be effective in promoting subjective well-being post-treatment (Hedges’ g = 0.40; 95% CI [0.06, 0.73]) and reducing anxiety (Hedges’ g = −0.32, 95% CI [-0.59, −0.06]), but no significant results were found for depression (Hedges’ g = −0.23, 95% CI [-0.50, 0.04]).

Conclusion

The included investigations, while limited, suggest the utility of PPIs in mitigating the psychological consequences of chronic pain. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to implement PPI practices.

Keywords:

• Positive psychology interventions
• chronic pain
• meta-analysis
• mental health
• subjective well-being
• psychological distress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain studies involving human participants performed by any of the authors.

Author contributions

All authors have contributed to the conception and discussed the results of the manuscript. The first author conducted the data search, analyzed the results, and elaborated the draft of the manuscript. The second author collaborated in the data search and reviewed the draft of the manuscript. The third author reviewed the manuscript and provided general supervision of the whole study.

Data availability statement

The data associated with this article is available at https://osf.io/8q6u7/?view_only=b3d4c268c680474cbcb0b2d3f36ffcd7

Notes

1 The templates with calculations of effect sizes are available at https://osf.io/8q6u7/?view_only=b3d4c268c680474cbcb0b2d3f36ffcd7

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.