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Self-management of chronic pain: a population-based study
Fiona M Blyth1, Lyn M March, Michael K Nicholas
1Pain Management and Research Institute, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia Department of Rheumatology, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
Pain
|January 22, 2005
Summary
People with chronic pain often use passive self-management strategies like medication or rest, which are linked to higher disability. Active strategies, such as exercise, significantly reduce pain-related disability.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Effective chronic pain self-management is crucial, yet clinical studies often overlook community-based approaches.
- Most chronic pain self-management occurs outside of formal healthcare settings, without professional guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate self-management strategies used by individuals with chronic pain in a population-based setting.
- To examine the association between self-management strategies and pain-related disability and healthcare utilization.
Main Methods:
- A population-based random digit dialling computer-assisted telephone survey was conducted in Australia.
- Data included 474 adults aged 18+ with chronic pain; response rate was 73.4%.
Main Results:
- Passive strategies (medication, rest) were more common than active strategies (exercise).
- Passive strategy use was associated with increased pain-related disability (OR 2.59) and healthcare visits (OR 2.9).
- Active strategy use was associated with substantially reduced pain-related disability (OR 0.2).
Conclusions:
- Clinical findings on chronic pain self-management strategies are applicable to the general population.
- Community-based interventions should focus on increasing awareness and adoption of active self-management strategies for chronic pain.