Coping with non-cardiac chest pain: A randomised clinical trial to evaluate a short psychoeducational intervention - NiKaBb

Despite medical reassurance, non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) frequently persists. Psychological interventions seem promising, but single-session interventions (SSI) are under-studied. To analyze the efficacy of a SSI focusing on chest pain perceptions in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and to identify predictors of pain persistence. Individuals presenting with NCCP to a cardiology unit were randomly assigned to SSI (N = 54) or treatment as usual (N = 59). Follow-up assessments were 1 month (FU1) and 6 months (FU2) later. Primary outcome measures were chest pain (German Pain Questionnaire) and chest pain perceptions (IPQ-B, Reassurance Scale). Two by Three ANOVAs revealed significant improvements over time, but against expectation no significant interaction with group. Health concern and cardiac attribution following cardiac testing predicted FU2 chest pain (p’s .018). These predictors could serve as markers to identify individuals with a risk for persisting complaints, a group that may benefit from interventions addressing dysfunctional illness perceptions.