Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with exercise can ease chronic and widespread pain, a new study suggests.
The researchers, who noted CBT can be very expensive in person, wanted to find out if delivering the therapy by phone, a far cheaper method, could also work, according to Reuters.
The trial gathered 442 participants between the ages of 25 to 60 who suffered chronic widespread pain, Reuters reports. Patients were split into four groups: those who exercised, those who received CBT, a third receiving a combination of both, and a fourth who were given regular medical care.
Results showed that telephone CBT and exercise were both associated with substantial improvements in patient pain, Reuters reports.
"This trial has shown how a behavioral approach can help people cope with the pain in a feasible and affordable manner," medical director Alan Silman said, as reported by Reuters.
The study was published in Archives of Internal Medicine journal.
