BMC psychology
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Comparative Study
Study protocol - efficacy of an attachment-based working alliance in the multimodal pain treatment.
The concept of attachment is relevant for the onset and development of chronic pain. Insecure attachment styles negatively affect therapeutic outcome. Insecurely attached patients seem to be less able to sustain positive effects of a multimodal treatment program. However, it has never been tested before if an attachment-oriented approach can improve treatment results of insecurely attached patients in a multimodal outpatient setting. To test this assumption, we compare the short- and long-term outcomes for pain patients who will receive multidisciplinary, attachment-oriented treatment with the outcomes for patients in a control group, who will receive the multidisciplinary state-of-the-art treatment. ⋯ An attachment-based approach may be a promising way to enhance long-term treatment outcomes for insecurely attached pain patients.