A multiple-baseline-across two behavior sets and positions (reclined, upright) was used to experimentally
examine the effect of Behavioral Activation Treatment for Pain (BAT-P) on pain-related behavior of a 44-year-old
woman with a 22-year history of fibromyalgia (FM). BAT-P, based on the matching law, is comprised of Behavioral
Relaxation Training (BRT), scheduled relaxation-activity cycles, daily relaxation practice, shaping performance of
valued activities, visual feedback of performance and descriptive praise. Visual feedback was provided for pain
interference rating, performance of relaxation skills, and self-rated depression. A behavioral contract was
implemented to increase maintenance of intervention effects. Percent-relaxed behavior was functionally related to
BRT with limited generalization from reclined to upright positions or across behavior sets. BAT-P resulted in
clinically significant decreases in self-reported pain interference, pain anxiety, and depression and medication usage.
Pain anxiety cognition declined without direct cognitive restructuring. Results were maintained at three- and sixmonth
follow up. Findings replicate results of BAT-P for FM pain interference and pain anxiety cognition. Use of
systematic maintenance procedures extends past research on BAT-P. Results provide further support for the utility
of “pure” behavior analytic interventions for FM and the benefit of such procedures for pain anxiety cognition.
Keywords: Behavioral Activation Treatment for Pain (BAT-P), Fibromyalgia (FM), Behavioral Relaxation Training
(BRT)