The Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health Study

The CBT intervention, delivered by telephone, will consist of an initial assessment, 6 weekly sessions, and then booster sessions at 3 and 6 months. The intervention will be delivered by trained and accredited therapists. Participants will be supported by a self-management CBT manual. There will be a patient-centred assessment by the therapist for problem identification, risk assessment and development of a shared formulation of the current health problem. The sessions will involve education about musculoskeletal pain, somatic symptoms and specific CBT techniques such as pacing of activity, behavioural activation, diary keeping, identifying and challenging negative and unhelpful thinking patterns and the development of a longer term management plan.