Predictors of Psychological Outcomes and the Effectiveness and Experience of Psychological Interventions for Adult Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Scoping Review

• Main Authors: Brooks T, Sharp R, Evans S, Baranoff J, Esterman A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-05-01
• Series: Journal of Pain Research
• Subjects: chronic; pelvic; pain; psychology; predictors
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/predictors-of-psychological-outcomes-and-the-effectiveness-and-experie-peer-reviewed-article-JPR

Tiffany Brooks,1,2 Rebecca Sharp,1 Susan Evans,3 John Baranoff,3,4 Adrian Esterman1,5 1The University of South Australia, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; 2Aware Women’s Health Private Clinic, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; 3University of Adelaide, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; 4Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; 5James Cook University, Health and Medicine, Cairns, Queensland, AustraliaCorrespondence: Tiffany Brooks 257 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006 AustraliaEmail [e-mail]: CPP affects approximately 15% of women worldwide and has significant psychological, physical and financial impact on the lives of sufferers. Psychological interventions are often recommended as adjuncts to medical treatment for women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). This is as women with CPP experience higher rates of mental health concerns and difficulties coping with their pain.. However, recent systematic reviews have highlighted that the efficacy of psychological interventions is not conclusive in this population. This review aimed to identify predictors of mental health outcomes and effective psychological techniques and interventions in women with CPP to inform the development of future psychological therapies.Methods: Scoping review using the method outlined by Arskey & O’Malley (2005). Relevant databases, reference lists and grey literature were searched to identify effective mental health interventions and predictors of psychological outcomes for women with CPP.Results: Methodological concerns made identifying predictors of mental health outcomes and effective psychological interventions difficult. However, cognitive behavioural therapy and Mensendieck therapy emerged as therapeutic interventions with the best evidence for women with CPP. A number of useful predictors of mental health outcomes and techniques included in effective interventions were identified.Conclusion: The evidence provided in this review has the potential to inform future research directions and the development of targeted psychological interventions for women with CPP.Keywords: chronic, pelvic, pain, psychology, predictors