Childhood adversity and emotional conflicts are associated with the presence and severity of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP), yet common treatments for CMP do not address such risk factors. We developed a single session, emotion-focused psychodynamic interview, based on Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy and Intensive Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy, and we tested the interview’s effects on pain-related outcomes and potential psychological mediators in a randomized, controlled trial. Adults (N = 91; ages 21–70, M = 44.64; 87.9% women) reporting CMP and at least 3 adverse childhood experiences completed measures at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Participants were randomized to immediate interview or waitlist control conditions. The 90-minute interview was conducted via videoconference, and the interviewer elicited disclosure of adversities and conflicts, linked these with pain, and encouraged the experience and expression of adaptive emotions. Analyses indicated that conditions did not differ significantly on change in pain severity; however, compared to control, the interview led to a significantly greater reduction in pain interference (P = .016, ηp² = .05) and a similar trend for anxiety (P = .058, ηp² = .04). The interview also significantly changed several potential mediators: pain-related anxiety (P = .008, ηp² = .06), pain controllability (P = .016, ηp² = .06), and psychological (P < .001, ηp² = .15) and brain attributions (P = .022, ηp² = .05) for pain. Participants viewed the interview as very valuable. We conclude that addressing childhood adversities and conflicts in a psychodynamic interview is beneficial for people with CMP.

This study found that, compared to waitlist control, a 90-minute, remotely-administered, emotion-focused, psychodynamic interview improved pain interference, and anxiety among adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain and childhood adversity. Intensive emotional work can be done in a single session to the benefit of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.