More frequent empathic communication by physical therapists is associated with improved outcomes for low-impact chronic pain

Key Points

1. Empathic communication is effective in reducing pain intensity.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Pain-related distress has a negative effect on the outcome of therapy through the increased risk of persistent symptoms (1). Empathic communication is characterized by listening to or recognizing the emotions of another person and being able to understand their perspective and priorities. There is evidence that empathic communication may contribute to increased self-efficacy and improved outcomes of pain management in primary care (2,3). Empathic communication includes listening without judgment, providing encouragement, using gentle touch, and verbal support with acknowledgment of the emotions/expressions.

The authors of this study state their primary purpose was to test the hypothesis that physical therapy treatments utilizing more frequent empathic communication are associated with greater improvements in patient-reported pain intensity. The secondary aim was to assess the association of empathic communication with attendance, exercise adherence, therapeutic alliance, and patient emotional affect.

There is evidence that empathic communication may contribute to increased self-efficacy and improved outcomes of pain management in primary care.

Regardless of treatment choices, empathic communication can be utilized and represents a cost-effective way for all therapists to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

METHODS

• A convenience sample of adults 18 and older who were referred to outpatient physical therapy for back, neck, or extremity musculoskeletal pain. Subjects had pain for three or more months and agreed to participate for the six-week study period. Therapists

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