[Psychotherapeutic component in the treatment of acute and prevention of chronic postoperative pain].

UNLABELLED: The development of postoperative pain syndrome (POPS) and its chronification in patients who have undergone surgical interventions remains an underestimated problem in modern clinical practice. Inadequate diagnosis and prevention of acute pain chronification significantly worsen the quality of life of patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with pharmacotherapy in the treatment of POPS and the prevention of its chronification.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study included 62 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Patients in the main group (n=31) received standard therapy combined with CBT sessions, which included cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure therapy.

RESULTS

After three months of treatment, pain intensity, as well as levels of anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing, were significantly lower in the main group compared to the control group. The rate of pain chronification was also significantly lower in the group that received CBT.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the integration of psychotherapeutic methods in the treatment of POPS is an effective strategy that improves surgical outcomes and reduces the risk of pain chronification.