The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training on Pain Perception, Resilience, Quality of Life, and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Chronic Pain
Keywords:
emotion regulation training, pain perception, resilience, quality of life, treatment adherence, chronic painAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion regulation training in reducing pain perception and improving resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence among patients with chronic pain. This applied, quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of female patients with chronic pain who presented to chronic pain clinics and medical centers in Tehran in 2024. Thirty eligible patients were recruited through convenience sampling from among volunteers and were randomly assigned to either the emotion regulation training group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in an emotion regulation training program, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Treatment Adherence Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. The findings indicated that emotion regulation training significantly reduced pain perception and improved resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence compared with the control condition. The multivariate effect of group was statistically significant, Wilks’ Λ = .06, F = 37.83, p < .001, η² = .74. The group effect was also statistically significant for pain perception, F = 41.35, p < .001, η² = .68; resilience, F = 132.47, p < .001, η² = .86; quality of life, F = 72.38, p < .001, η² = .79; and treatment adherence, F = 96.24, p < .001, η² = .83. Emotion regulation training was effective in reducing pain perception and enhancing resilience, quality of life, and treatment adherence among patients with chronic pain. Therefore, this intervention may be employed as an adjunctive psychological approach to chronic pain management.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hoda Nabizadeh (Author); Neda Alibeigi; Marzieh Poursalehi (Author)
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