Investigando mudanças a partir da avaliação terapêutica: estudo de caso com uma mulher com dor crônica

Abstract

Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a semi-structured, collaborative process that can provide significant therapeutic changes in self-perception and improvement in symptoms related to psychological distress. The present study aimed to analyze how TA can contribute to depressive and anxious symptoms and pain perception in a woman who has been diagnosed with chronic pain. This is a single-case time series study, structured in three phases: baseline, intervention and follow-up, based on the collaborative construction of daily measurement indices (DMI). The indicators selected collaboratively between client and therapist were sadness, anxiety and pain perception. Descriptive analyses were performed using the R Studio program. Then, the statistical program Simulation Modeling Analysis (SMA) was used for correlation analysis using Pearson's r coefficient, supported by the bootstrap method (5000 interactions). Subsequently, a trend analysis by phase was performed using Ordinary Least Squares regression in the R software. In addition, Student's t-test was applied to compare the means between the phases. Finally, the effect of the intervention was measured using Cohen's d effect size. The results indicated a significant reduction in sadness levels throughout the intervention, associated with less emotional variability. Anxiety also showed a decline and greater stability, highlighting the interconnection between psychological distress and chronic pain. Although the reduction in pain was not statistically significant, a trend towards improvement was observed post-intervention. In addition, the client reported qualitative gains, such as greater functionality, improved sleep, and social engagement. The findings suggest that AT contributed to emotional regulation and the resignification of the client's experience, promoting self-knowledge and improving quality of life. However, limitations such as the absence of a control group and the subjectivity of data collection should be considered. Future studies can explore AT in larger samples and in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches.