Summary of the clinical practice guideline for psychological and other nonpharmacological treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults

Why clinicians should know about it

• Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (paper of the day, 21 August 2026): Guideline summary, nonpharmacological pain management

Abstract

This article summarizes the American Psychological Association's (2024) clinical practice guideline to provide recommendations for the nonpharmacological treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults. Three systematic reviews and meta-analyses, along with other literature and observations from practitioners and patients, served as the basis for the guideline. The guideline development panel consisted of health professionals from psychology, occupational medicine, nursing, social work, and physical therapy, as well as community members who self-identified as having chronic musculoskeletal pain. The panel examined the efficacy of noninvasive, nonpharmacological treatments and complementary and integrative medicine treatments. The panel also considered the comparative effectiveness among noninvasive, nonpharmacological treatments and noninvasive, nonpharmacological treatments in relation to complementary and integrative medicine treatments or select nonopioid, pharmacologic treatments. First-line and second-line recommendations for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain, presented in detail in the guideline, are summarized here. The target audience includes clinicians, researchers, patients, and policymakers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Abstract as published, via PubMed.