Chronic pain among older adults could be better addressed through emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET), a fairly new form of psychotherapy, according to a new research study. The therapy, which had its initial clinical trials in the 2000s, targets past trauma and stress experienced by individuals with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) compared the recovery of two groups of individuals with chronic pain conditions – one group receiving EAET and the other group receiving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Unlike CBT, which focuses on developing coping strategies by altering thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, EAET delves into resolving past trauma and adversities. The study included over 120 veterans, predominantly men aged 60-95 years, with at least three months of musculoskeletal pain. The findings of the study were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

The results revealed that 63% of older adults undergoing EAET experienced a significant 30% reduction in pain, while only 17% of those receiving CBT reported a similar reduction. Moreover, the pain relief was sustained in over 40% of older adults six months post EAET treatment, compared to 14% of CBT participants.

Participants undergoing EAET also reported greater benefits in addressing psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More than two-thirds of the study group had a psychiatric diagnosis, with approximately one-third diagnosed with PTSD.

This research highlights the potential effectiveness of emotional therapy in managing chronic pain among older adults, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying emotional factors in pain management.