. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 May 1.

Published in final edited form as: Palliat Med. 2021 Mar 29;35(5):952–961. doi: 10.1177/02692163211004216

Table 2.

Content of Caregiver-Guided Pain Coping Skills Sessions

Session	Topics/Skills^*
1	• Introduction to pain coping skills training as a method to help patients and their caregivers better manage cancer pain • Overview of program and materials • Watch and discuss segment of educational video, “Relieving Cancer Pain,” that provides information on topics related to the medical management of cancer pain (e.g., types of treatment, common side effects, and communication with health care providers) • Relaxation exercise
2	• Communication skills: guidelines for effective speaking and listening³⁹ • Brief relaxation mini-practices • Pleasant imagery
3	• Activity-rest cycle • Pleasant activity scheduling • Coping skills review and maintenance plan

For each skill, the therapist (a) provided a rationale for the skill’s use in reducing pain, stress, and distress; (b) used a behavioral rehearsal procedure to teach each skill (e.g., providing instruction in the skill, having the dyad practice the skill together, and providing feedback on their practice); and (c) provided recommendations for home practice, including how the caregiver could effectively coach the patient in using the skill.