Exposure-based Interventions for Chronic Pain and Bodily Symptoms: A Special Interest Meeting Report
More than two decades have passed since exposure-based interventions were first applied to four individuals with chronic low back pain reporting pain-related fear. To reflect on the progress made since then, an international Special Interest Meeting gathered experts for two days of active dialogue and discussion focusing on the theoretical foundations of exposure-based interventions and their broader application to bodily symptoms from an interdisciplinary perspective. In a subsequent joint paper, the participants summarized how exposure-based interventions have been applied across clinical settings (psychology, behavioral and rehabilitation medicine), treatment providers (psychologists, physiotherapists, physiatrists), delivery formats (digital and in-person), and treatment adaptations (for different age groups and co-occurring conditions). Beyond chronic pain, emerging applications have also extended to a wider range of bodily symptoms, including chronic neuropathic pain, post-concussion symptoms, tinnitus, female genitopelvic pain, cardiovascular symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms. To facilitate implementation in clinical practice, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to systematically identify evidence gaps and inform a strategic roadmap for future research. Theoretical models that have shaped the field were examined for their potential to guide future innovation. Continued research is needed to clarify which individuals benefit most within a matched care framework and to identify optimal strategies for implementation in routine practice.
Authors
- Lauren E. Harrison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-6471)
- Jenny Riecke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2683-7541)
- Kim G. Smolderen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6104-6254)
- Charlotte C. M. van Laake‐Geelen
- Marlies den Hollander (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4250-2466)
- Rachel Sjouwerman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6270-2126)
- Thijs van Meulenbroek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5636-4511)
- Saskia Scholten (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1439-8684)
- Laura E. Simons (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3395-9483)
- Hedvig Zetterberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4219-5075)
- Eveliina Glogan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2608-4121)
- Rikard K. Wicksell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3525-7573)
- Lea Schemer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7830-4889)
- Skye King (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4676-852X)
- Steven J. Linton
- Katja Boersma
- Yannick Boddez
- Yoni K. Ashar
- Ida Flink
- Peter O’Sullivan
- Maria Hedman-Lagerlöf
- Johan W.S. Vlaeyen
- Rob J.E.M. Smeets
- Robert Ahm
- Ann Meulders
- Ivan P.J. Huijnen
- Brjánn Ljótsson
- Julia A. Glombiewski
- Rilana F.F. Cima
- Jeanine A. Verbunt
- J.P. Caneiro
- Caroline van Heugten
- Albère Köke
- Marielle Goossens
Institutions
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (NL)
- Curtin University (AU)
- Örebro University (SE)
- University of Koblenz and Landau (DE)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Ghent University (BE)
- Yale University (US)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Saint Göran Hospital (SE)
- Pain in Motion (BE)
- Stockholm Health Care Services (SE)
- Department of Health Services (NP)
- Adelante (NL)
- St Göran's Children's Hospital (SE)
- Karlstad University (SE)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (US)
- Mid Sweden University (SE)
- Stanford University (US)
- KU Leuven (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Behaviour Research and Therapy
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2026.104998
- Primary Topic
- Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Universiteit Gent
- National Institutes of Health