Positive Psychology Exercises

Positive psychology interventions aim to promote positive behaviors, emotions, and cognitions that have been found to be associated with better chronic pain adjustment, namely self-compassion, positive affect, and optimism (Muller et al. 2022).

Discussion

In an RCT, Muller et al. (2022) evaluated the effectiveness of a positive psychology program targeting pain compared to mindfulness journaling. The study found no significant reduction in symptoms of depression post treatment compared to the mindfulness journaling group.

Conclusion

There is level 1b evidence from one RCT (Muller et al. 2022) that positive psychology interventions are not effective at improving depressive symptoms compared to mindfulness journaling post SCI.