Relaxation Skills Research Articles

Client-rated facilitators and barriers to long-term youth anxiety disorder recovery.

This study examined client ratings of 26 facilitators and barriers to anxiety improvement approximately 6 years after randomization to treatment for anxiety. 319 youth (average 17.12 years old; 82.1% Caucasian; 58.6% female) participated in the longitudinal follow-up study to child and adolescent anxiety multimodal study (CAMS), a randomized controlled trial of medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), combination, and placebo. Correcting for multiple comparisons, CBT components (i.e., problem solving, changing unhelpful thoughts, relaxation skills) were rated significantly more helpful among youth without, versus with, an anxiety disorder at follow-up. Barriers that differentiated youth with and without an anxiety disorder included being bullied and difficulty applying therapy content to new situations. Comparisons between youth with different anxiety disorder trajectories (e.g., stable remission, relapsed, or chronically ill) also revealed several differences. Findings suggest that client-rated facilitators and barriers covary with anxiety disorder recovery and may serve as useful tools when evaluating long-term treatment efficacy.

School-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in an Inclusion Model for an Adolescent with Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Study

The goal of the current case study was to illustrate evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for an adolescent female with comorbid major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, suicidal ideations, and a history of multiple involuntary hospitalizations. Multimodal assessment of the child’s symptoms was conducted, including parent, teacher, and child self-report, academic data, and hospital records to inform case conceptualization. Treatment included a combination of psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, positive self-talk, relaxation skills, and the support of a school-based personal aide. Significant improvements with inattentive, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were reported, with gains being maintained at 1 year follow-up. In addition to a reduction of reported psychosocial problems, treatment benefits also included a decrease in classroom disruptions, improvement in academic performance, and withdrawal of paraprofessional support at school. This study illustrates the use of school-based CBT strategies coupled with additional focused Tier 4 behavior supports as an efficacious treatment for youth with significant comorbidity.

"Practice Makes Perfect"? Associations Between Home Practice and Physical and Emotional Function Outcomes Among Patients with Chronic Pain Enrolled in a Mind-Body Program.

Objectives: To summarize the characteristics of home practice adherence in patients with chronic pain randomized to a 10-week group mind-body activity program with (GetActive-Fitbit) and without (GetActive) a digital monitoring device, and test the association between home practice adherence and improvement in physical and emotional treatment outcomes. Methods: Data were collected in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the GetActive (n = 41) and GetActive-Fitbit (n = 41) programs. Participants submitted weekly home practice logs depicting their daily physical activity and practice of relaxation and gratitude skills. Participants completed assessments of physical (patient-reported, performance-based, and accelerometer-measured) and emotional function outcomes both before and after the programs. Participants in both programs were combined due to the identical session and home practice content. Results: Participants reported engaging in physical activity on average 30.62 days (SD = 20.28, 48.6% of intervention days), relaxation skill practice on average 29.87 days (SD = 21.16, 47.4% of intervention days), and gratitude practice on average 32.10 days (SD = 22.12, 51.0% of intervention days). The average duration of physical activity and relaxation skill practice were 44.40 min a day (SD = 59.44) and 11.15 min a day (SD = 12.00), respectively. The duration of physical activity was significantly associated with decrease depression symptoms (p = 0.049, η2 = 0.056). No other association was found between home practice and change in outcomes. Conclusions: Patients with chronic pain are generally able and willing to engage in home practice during a mind-body activity intervention. Emphasizing longer duration of physical activity practice may contribute to an improvement in depression. Future fully powered RCTs with rigorous assessment of home practice adherence and dose-response designs may further elucidate the role of home practice in improvements in treatment outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03412916.

Outcomes of a co-produced and co-delivered relaxation course for service users and staff at a secure mental health service

PurposeThis study aims to gauge the usefulness of a Recovery College relaxation course for both staff and service users within a secure mental health setting.Design/methodology/approachThe course compromised of seven stand alone sessions, each teaching a different relaxation skill. Pre- and Post questionnaires were administered comprising of two closed and one open ended questions.FindingsParticipants (n = 49) reported an average decrease of 32% in pre- and post-session tension. Ninety-two percent of evaluative responses endorsed sessions as “worthwhile” and 92% endorsed the relaxation skills as “useful in the future”. Participants described the workshops as “enjoyable” and “relaxing”.Practical implicationsIn the spirit of Recovery Colleges, the course offers the opportunity for individuals with lived experience to participate in the production and delivery of interventions. Improving both staff and service user well-being is cost-effective and may help to normalise and de-stigmatise difficulties with stress and anxiety.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this appears to be the first evaluation of a co-produced and co-delivered relaxation course for both staff and service users within inpatient mental health settings. This paper presents a preliminary evaluation of a novel intervention to improve staff and service user well-being.

Remotely Delivered Interventions to Support Women With Symptoms of Anxiety in Pregnancy: Mixed Methods Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BackgroundSymptoms of anxiety are common in pregnancy, with severe symptoms associated with negative outcomes for women and babies. Low-level psychological therapy is recommended for women with mild to moderate anxiety, with the aim of preventing an escalation of symptoms and providing coping strategies. Remotely delivered interventions have been suggested to improve access to treatment and support and provide a cost-effective, flexible, and timely solution.ObjectiveThis study identifies and evaluates remotely delivered, digital, or web-based interventions to support women with symptoms of anxiety during pregnancy.MethodsThis mixed methods systematic review followed a convergent segregated approach to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data. The ACM Digital Library, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Applied Social Sciences Index and s, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination database, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, Health Technology Assessment Library, IEEE Xplore, Joanna Briggs Institute, Maternity and Infant Care, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and the Social Science Citation Index were searched in October 2020. Quantitative or qualitative primary research that included pregnant women and evaluated remotely delivered interventions reporting measures of anxiety, fear, stress, distress, women’s views, and opinions were included.ResultsOverall, 3 qualitative studies and 14 quantitative studies were included. Populations included a general antenatal population and pregnant women having anxiety and depression, fear of childbirth, insomnia, and preterm labor. Interventions included cognitive behavioral therapy, problem solving, mindfulness, and educational designs. Most interventions were delivered via web-based platforms, and 62% (8/13) included direct contact from trained therapists or coaches. A meta-analysis of the quantitative data found internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy and facilitated interventions showed a beneficial effect in relation to the reduction of anxiety scores (standardized mean difference −0.49, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.22; standardized mean difference −0.48, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.22). Due to limitations in the amount of available data and study quality, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Synthesized findings found some evidence to suggest that interventions are more effective when women maintain regular participation which may be enhanced by providing regular contact with therapists or peer support, appropriate targeting of interventions involving components of relaxation and cognitive-based skills, and providing sufficient sessions to develop new skills without being too time consuming.ConclusionsThere is limited evidence to suggest that women who are pregnant may benefit from remotely delivered interventions. Components of interventions that may improve the effectiveness and acceptability of remotely delivered interventions included providing web-based contact with a therapist, health care professional, or peer community. Women may be more motivated to complete interventions that are perceived as relevant or tailored to their needs. Remote interventions may also provide women with greater anonymity to help them feel more confident in disclosing their symptoms.

Social support in university music students’ coping with performance anxiety: people, strategies and performance situations

ABSTRACT This paper moves beyond a therapeutic perspective in the study of musical performance anxiety (MPA) coping and adopts a social support analytical approach. It explores the collaborative nature of university music students’ MPA coping throughout instrumental/vocal learning and performance preparation. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were carried out with 53 undergraduates from a university’s music department in the local context of Taiwan. The findings identify that one-to-one tuition teachers provide multifunctional strategies embedded in pedagogical practices, while peers provide emotional support and peer learning, and accompanists act as critical friends. Among the eight MPA coping strategies, contrived performance situation is commonly used while the rests are relevant to certain facilitators: mental and visual rehearsal, accepting mistakes, relaxation skills, and dietary (teacher); absorbing activities and physical activities (peers); and virtual tools (accompanists). With social support, most participants have reported an improvement in their overall performance ability, including both performance skills and MPA coping skills.

Dance Therapy in the Socialization of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders

The article provides theoretical generalizations on the use of dance therapy in the correction and socialization of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It also presents the author’s year-long programme of such rehabilitation and quasi-experimental observations on its effectiveness. The article proves that dance therapy performs a much wider range of functions, than correction of MSDs. It acts as an effective way of social and psychological adaptation of individuals with MSDs. In particular, it allows one to develop independence, train relaxation skills and concentration, enhance the creativity of the inner self, creative imagination, reduce tension in the team, listen to and hear others better, relieve body tension, enhance communication skills, develop intellectually in the field of various arts, identify and correct problems in a particular child and children groups. The article proposes the hypothesis according to which one-year dance therapy should improve the manifestations of social adaptation of individuals with MSDs. The findings of the article can be used, first of all, in the post-Soviet countries, where dance therapy does not have a long tradition and requires borrowing international experience.

The Analgesic Effects of Virtual Reality for People with Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review.

Although virtual reality is shown to have short-term analgesic effects in acute pain settings, its long-term efficacy in chronic pain conditions has not been established. This scoping review aims to provide a summary of virtual reality approaches explored in chronic primary and secondary pain conditions as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain. A systematic literature search in Ovid PubMed and Ovid Embase was conducted between January 5 and January 10, 2021, with the use of the Arksey and O'Malley six-step scoping review criteria. Articles were searched via search terms and keywords relating to International Classification of Diseases-defined primary and secondary chronic pain conditions, virtual reality, virtual illusion, distraction, and effects on levels of pain. Of the 2,118 articles located, 44 were included, which covered a range of primary and secondary chronic pain conditions and used a variety of different computer screen and headset protocols, including gaming, mindfulness, exercise, relaxation, and proprioceptive skills. Studies show virtual reality to be an effective analgesic intervention for people with chronic pain. Given user satisfaction, a lack of side effects such as cybersickness, and relief of comorbid symptoms, virtual reality has potential as a worthwhile adjunct to chronic pain management programs, thus enabling patients to take control of their symptoms.

Regulation of the functional state of locomotive crew drivers using biofeedback training: factor analysis of experimental data

Biofeedback based on electrodermal activity of the skin is used as a method for optimizing the functional state of drivers and assistant drivers of locomotive crews. High-quality inter-trip rest of locomotive crew drivers ensures the preservation of health, labor protection and higher indicators of professionally important psychophysiological qualities necessary for the successful performance of locomotive management activities. The purpose of this work is to determine the nature of the relationship between the relaxation abilities of locomotive crew drivers and their professionally important psychophysiological and personal qualities. The experiment was conducted on the basis of the office of the psychological service of the Motor Car depot in Minsk. A personal computer and the NeuroDog hardware and software complex were used as the equipment for the biofeedback training. A factor analysis of the primary empirical data of subjects who successfully developed the relaxation skill was performed. Factor analysis was carried out using the principal component method and the Varimax method available in the Statistica 10.0 package. The results of the analysis allowed us to determine the structure of psychophysiological and personal qualities of locomotive crew drivers, as well as the degree of their influence on the successful development of relaxation skills. The results obtained will later be used to develop a methodology for training drivers in relaxation skills in accordance with their individual characteristics and algorithms for its implementation in the context of the UPDK-MK hardware and software complex, used by the psychological service of the Belarusian railway to monitor the current state of functional systems of locomotive crew drivers.

SOCIAL PHOBIA (SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER) DURING COVID-19 IN MEDICAL INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

Background & Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 internship students (50 male and 50 female students). To assess Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) during COVID-19 Pandemic in medical internship students based on determination of frequency, quantifying the symptoms, severity & socio demographic profile, duration of study – conducted from May to July 2020.
 Result: In our study we found, social phobia present in 44% in males & 38% in females. ?2 = 7.714, p = 0.05, Highly significant.
 Conclusion: According to my study, frequency of Social Phobia is 82% during COVID-19 in medical internship students. Our study suggests that during COVID-19, mild and moderate degree of social phobia is maximum in medical interns of both sexes. Proper psycho education along with sessions of applied relaxation and social skills training was given to medical internship students because of their high prevalence of social anxiety disorder during COVID-19 which was quite successful.
 Keywords: social phobia, clinical, anxiety & disorder.

KŪNO KULTŪROS MOKYTOJŲ PROFESINIO PERDEGIMO PREVENCIJA IR REDUKAVIMAS: UGDOMOJO PROJEKTO REZULTATAI

The article aims at revealing the possibilities for prevention and reduction of physical education teachers’ professional burnout by empirically grounding the efficiency of the strategy based on development of relaxation skills of physical education pedagogues working in comprehensive education institutions in Lithuania. Research cases carried out in recent years show that the syndrome of professional burnout is a highly urgent problem among pedagogues. Methods to prevent and reduce the burnout are being constantly sought for. Among all strategies, increased attention of researchers is focused on ways to avoid, cope with and diminish the impact of professional burnout which would enable a person to help oneself without others’ assistance. The article presents the results of an educational project which involved 23 teachers of physical education.

Age-related differences in the use of relaxation techniques during intensive professional training

IntroductionIntensive professional training is widely used in modern organizations, as it helps employees adapt to dynamic work and technology changes (Noe, 2010; Patrick, 2000). Relaxation techniques may reduce the negative effects of intense learning processes (i.e. fatigue, anxiety and stress). They can also enhance the productivity of the training itself by helping to achieve optimal states for the completion of learning goals.ObjectivesOur study concerns differences in mastering relaxation techniques by employees of younger and middle-age groups during intensive professional training.MethodsSample - 62 employees, participants of communication training. The 15-min session of progressive relaxation combined with autogenic formulae was conducted after 5 hours of intensive training. Measures: standard psychological and physiological functional state tests (Leonova & Kapitsa, 2003); an information perception task.ResultsThe efficiency of the relaxation techniques varied between different age groups: younger participants (aged 20-30) were more successful in managing both tasks – learning new relaxation skills and achieving deeper rest (including more apparent positive physiological effects). They were also more prepared for completing the information perception task (they made less mistakes). Older participants (aged 30-50) experienced more difficulties with the new relaxation skills and used relaxation primarily to restore their psychophysiological resources, rather than to prepare for the upcoming training task.ConclusionsThe results showed that relaxation techniques provide a system optimization effect on the participants of intensive training programs, though participants’ individual differences (ie age, length of service) should be taken into account when planning the outcomes of such interventions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Treating anxiety and depression in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review

Objective Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is associated with higher rates of clinically significant anxiety and depression than in healthy populations. Psychosocial interventions targeting anxiety and depression in IBD have variable efficacy and disparate treatment approaches, making treatment recommendations difficult. The current study aimed to identify effective treatment components across psychosocial treatment approaches for anxiety and depression in IBD. Design A systematic review of psychosocial treatments for anxiety and depression in IBD was conducted. Based on the Distillation and Matching Model, treatments were coded and data aggregated by intervention components, or practice elements (PE), to elucidate replicable clinical techniques. Main Outcome The percentage of studies utilizing a given PE was the primary outcome. Measures Among all included studies, as well as among those finding favorable, significant effects on anxiety or depression, the percentage utilizing each PE and number of PEs utilized was determined. Results The most utilized PEs among included interventions were relaxation, IBD psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, distraction, and social skills. Examining only interventions with favorable differences on specified outcomes (HRQoL, Anxiety, Depression, and/or Coping) indicated that relaxation, education, cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness were most utilized. Conclusion Implications for clinical practice are discussed, including the development and dissemination of treatment recommendations.

A Pilot Mind-Body Resiliency Intervention Targeting Fear of Recurrence among Cancer Survivors

OBJECTIVE: Interventions for fear of recurrence (FOR) of cancer have nominal effects, perhaps due to limited integration of empirically supported skills. This pilot trial tested the acceptability and feasibility of a multimodal, mind-body resiliency intervention targeting FOR among survivors of various cancers.METHODS: Early stage cancer survivors 3–30 months post-treatment were recruited to participate in an eight-session in-person mind-body resiliency group intervention that taught relaxation skills, cognitive-behavioral techniques, healthy lifestyle behaviors, mindfulness meditation, and positive psychology skills all targeted for FOR. Primary outcomes were feasibility (enrollment rate, session attendance, survey completion, skills practice) and acceptability (enjoyableness, convenience, helpfulness, relevance). Patient-reported outcomes (FOR, uncertainty intolerance, cancer-related uncertainty, perceived stress, resiliency, positive affect, and coping skills) were collected at baseline, post-intervention, +1 month, and +3 months. Exit interviews assessed survivors' reported benefits.RESULTS: Participants (N = 4 groups, 23 survivors, enrollment response rate = 58%) included survivors of seven common cancer types who were on average 12 months post-treatment. Attendance was high (M = 6.1 sessions), and 96% of survivors completed all surveys. Sustained increases in relaxation skills practice 3+ days/week were reported (baseline = 16%, post-intervention = 76%, +3 months = 71%). Most sessions (87%) were rated as highly or very highly acceptable. Moderate-to-large (d = 0.87) improvements in FOR severity were observed post-intervention (p < .01) and across assessments (p < .01), with similar changes observed in other patient-reported outcomes. Exit interviews revealed behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and existential benefits.CONCLUSIONS: The targeted mind-body resiliency intervention shows promising acceptability, feasibility, and favorable changes in FOR and coping skills practice. Further adaptation and testing in a randomized trial are warranted.ClinicalTrials.govRegistration Number: NCT03695406

Gaming Away Stress: Using Biofeedback Games to Learn Paced Breathing

Biofeedback games are an attractive alternative to standard techniques for learning short-term relaxation skills. In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of three respiratory biofeedback games. To validate these games, we compared breathing rate across 100 male participants (23 years ± 3.2 years) playing biofeedback and audio pacing versions of these games as well as a paced breathing app. The games were placed between repeat runs of a cognitively stressful Stroop-based task and the impact of the games on breathing and cognitive performance in the task also assessed. Our results showed that 1) differences in gameplay did not impact player performance; 2) biofeedback not only led to better breath control during play but also during the subsequent cognitively stressful task; and 3) biofeedback led to better attentional-cognitive performance in the subsequent task. Our multi-game experiments show that using respiratory biofeedback in video games is an effective strategy to learn paced breathing—on par with the standalone technique of paced breathing—and to self-regulate stress levels in later stressful scenarios. Furthermore, owing to its entertainment value, our relaxation solution has the potential to be more engaging and accessible than standalone paced breathing, for use over longer durations.

A Mind-Body Physical Activity Program for Chronic Pain With or Without a Digital Monitoring Device: Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundChronic pain is associated with poor physical and emotional functioning. Nonpharmacological interventions can help, but improvements are small and not sustained. Previous clinical trials do not follow recommendations to comprehensively target objectively measured and performance-based physical function in addition to self-reported physical function.ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish feasibility benchmarks and explore improvements in physical (self-reported, performance based, and objectively measured) and emotional function, pain outcomes, and coping through a pilot randomized controlled trial of a mind-body physical activity program (GetActive) with and without a digital monitoring device (GetActive-Fitbit), which were iteratively refined through mixed methods.MethodsPatients with chronic pain were randomized to the GetActive (n=41) or GetActive-Fitbit (n=41) programs, which combine relaxation, cognitive behavioral, and physical restoration skills and were delivered in person. They completed in-person assessments before and after the intervention. Performance-based function was assessed with the 6-min walk test, and step count was measured with an ActiGraph.ResultsFeasibility benchmarks (eg, recruitment, acceptability, credibility, therapist adherence, adherence to practice at home, ActiGraph wear, and client satisfaction) were good to excellent and similar in both programs. Within each program, we observed improvement in the 6-min walk test (mean increase=+41 m, SD 41.15; P<.001; effect size of 0.99 SD units for the GetActive group and mean increase=+50 m, SD 58.63; P<.001; effect size of 0.85 SD units for the GetActive-Fitbit group) and self-reported physical function (P=.001; effect size of 0.62 SD units for the GetActive group and P=.02; effect size of 0.38 SD units for the GetActive-Fitbit group). The mean step count increased only among sedentary patients (mean increase=+874 steps for the GetActive group and +867 steps for the GetActive-Fitbit group). Emotional function, pain intensity, pain coping, and mindfulness also improved in both groups. Participants rated themselves as much improved at the end of the program, and those in the GetActive-Fitbit group noted that Fitbit greatly helped with increasing their activity.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings support a fully powered efficacy trial of the two programs against an education control group. We present a model for successfully using the Initiative on the Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials criteria for a comprehensive assessment of physical function and following evidence-based models to maximize feasibility before formal efficacy testing.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrial.gov NCT03412916; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03412916

The Role of Telehealth in Reducing the Mental Health Burden from COVID-19.

The Role of Telehealth in Reducing the Mental Health Burden from COVID-19.

Observe and Accept: A Pathways Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease, marked by demyelination of the central nervous system and a wide variety of symptoms, including blurred vision, muscle weakness, and impaired motor control, most of which occur in a remitting and relapsing pattern. In many cases the illness is progressive with severe disability. Current treatments combine interventions to manage the current episode and disease-modifying agents to reduce the risk of further episodes. The treatments for MS are only partially effective, and patients often face a confusing and frightening progression of their illness, despite treatment. Many patients utilize complementary therapies, especially dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and relaxation skills. This article presents the case narrative of a 36-year-old woman who was referred for depression and anxiety accompanying a 3-year period of recurring MS episodes. She combined many complementary therapies along with the medical management of her illness, and benefitted especially from mindfulness skills and biofeedback training.

Understanding User Reactions and Interactions With an Internet-Based Intervention for Tinnitus Self-Management: Mixed-Methods Evaluation.

Purpose Internet-based interventions have the potential to reduce the disparity in access to psychological therapy that people with tinnitus currently experience. One example is the Tinnitus E-Programme, which, although freely available online, has not yet been formally evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate past, current, and new users' reactions and interactions with the Tinnitus E-Programme. Method Study 1 used an online survey to gather past and current users' reactions to, and interactions with, the intervention (n = 27). Study 2 used interviews and a relaxation log to assess how new users implemented the skills they learned into their everyday lives (n = 13). Results Generally, users expressed positive views on the intervention content and design features. Users particularly valued the education about tinnitus and its management and the relaxation skills training, and use of these components was high. In contrast, user reactions to self-monitoring tools, an online support forum, and therapist support were mixed, and use was lower. Implementation was limited by instances of poor usability and accessibility, user engagement, and adherence to relaxation goals. Users' perceptions of the intervention's credibility and relevance and beliefs regarding a negative impact on their tinnitus influenced engagement. Users in both studies identified several benefits gained, including functional and emotional management, self-efficacy for managing and coping with tinnitus, understanding tinnitus and its management, social support, and acceptance of tinnitus. Conclusion Findings suggest that the intervention was acceptable to its target group but also highlighted some areas for improvement. These findings will be used to inform further optimization work.

Couple Interventions for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Couple interventions for chronic pain have been shown to more effectively reduce pain intensity for individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) than individual behavioral interventions or usual care. This systematic review identified randomized controlled trials of couple interventions to highlight strategies that could be incorporated into psychotherapy with ICPs and their romantic partners. The authors identified articles reporting randomized controlled trials of couple interventions for chronic pain. Three databases were searched (ie, PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo), resulting in 18 studies and 22 articles. Couple interventions resulted in statistically significant improvements in pain intensity compared with other conditions in 8% to 40% of the studies depending on the comparator group (i.e., control, individual intervention, another couple intervention), and in statistically significant improvements on a pain-related outcome compared with other conditions in 31% to 50% of the studies depending on the comparator group (ie, control, individual intervention, another couple intervention). Educating couples about pain was the most common strategy (83%). Jointly administered relaxation or meditation skills were included in nearly half of the interventions (48%). Many interventions taught cognitive-behavioral skills jointly to couples (39%) or to the ICP with partner encouragement (30%). Teaching couples how to request and provide assistance (30%), and encouraging partners to avoid reinforcing pain behaviors (39%), occurred frequently. ICPs and their partners were often asked to set goals (30%). This review outlined strategies included in couple interventions for chronic pain that are derived from the cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and operant behavioral traditions, but delivered relationally. Therapists working with ICPs and their partners may integrate these strategies into their practice to help couples who are managing chronic pain.