[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46620-46621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22202]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Technology Assessment Conference on Integration of Behavioral and
Relaxation Approaches Into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia
Notice is hereby given of the NIH Technology Assessment Conference
on ``Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches Into the
Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia,'' which will be held October
16-18, 1995, in the Natcher Conference Center of the National
Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on October 16, at 8 a.m. on October
17, and at 9 a.m. on October 18.
Millions of Americans are afflicted with persistent medical
disorders that involve behavioral and psychological components. Chronic
pain and insomnia are two of the more common disorders with such
involvement. Despite the acknowledged importance
[[Page 46621]]
of psychological and behavioral factors in these disorders, treatment
strategies have tended to focus on medical interventions such as drugs
and surgery. The purpose of this conference is to examine the benefits
of more consistently integrating behavioral and relaxation approaches
with biomedical interventions in clinical settings using chronic pain
and insomnia as examples.
More consistent and effective integration of behavioral and
relaxation approaches requires the development of precise definitions
of the most frequently used techniques, which include hypnosis,
meditation, biofeedback, and cognitive therapy. It is also necessary to
examine how these interventions have been previously used with somatic
therapies in the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia and to evaluate
the efficacy of such integration to date. The conference will review
the relative merits of specific behavioral and relaxation interventions
as well as identify biophysical and psychological factors that might
predict the outcome of applying these techniques. Finally, the
conference will examine the mechanisms by which behavioral and
relaxation approaches could lead to greater clinical efficacy.
The conference will bring together experts in behavioral medicine,
pain medicine, insomnia, psychology, neurology, and behavioral and
neurosciences as well as representatives from the public.
After 1\1/2\ days of presentations and audience discussion, an
independent, non-Federal panel will weigh the scientific evidence and
write a draft statement that it will present to the audience on the
third day. The statement will address the following key questions:
What behavioral and relaxation approaches are used for
conditions such as chronic pain and insomnia?
How successful are these approaches?
How do these approaches work?
Are there barriers to the appropriate integration of these
approaches into health care?
What are the significant issues for future research and
applications?
The primary sponsors for this conference are the NIH Office of
Alternative Medicine and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of
Research. The conference is cosponsored by the National Cancer
Institute; National Institute on Aging; National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; National Institute of Dental
Research; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute
of Mental Health; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke; and National Institute of Nursing Research.
Advance information on the conference program and conference
registration materials may be obtained from: Laura Hazan, Technical
Resources International, Inc., 3202 Tower Oaks Blvd., suite 200,
Rockville, Maryland 20852, (301) 770-3153.
The technology assessment statement will be submitted for
publication in professional journals and other publications. In
addition, the statement will be available beginning October 18, 1995,
from the NIH Consensus Program Information Service, P.O. Box 2577,
Kensington, Maryland 20891, phone 1-800-NIH-OMAR (1-800-644-6627).
Dated: August 28, 1995.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 95-22202 Filed 9-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
