Decreases in Cortisol Variability Between Treated and Untreated Jaw Pain Patients
Date
2006-08Author
Gatchel, Robert J.
Garofalo, J.P.
Robinson, Richard C.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The study evaluated the impact of treatment on cortisol levels in acute pain patients at high
risk for chronic jaw-related pain. Twenty-five patients with jaw pain or facial discomfort
(< 6 months) participated in the study. Patients at high risk for chronic pain received
biobehavioral intervention, and those at lower risk received standard care. Cortisol levels
increased over time in both conditions, F (1, 429) = 6.614, p = .010; however, cortisol variability
decreased among those receiving biobehavioral treatment (p < .043), whereas variability
increased among those receiving standard treatment. Together, these findings
underscore the potential role of cortisol activity in that it may influence the transition from
acute pain to chronic pain.