Long-term influences of a biopsychosocial rehabilitation programme for chronic pain patients

Chronic pain leads to high costs in the form of compensation for absence from work due to illness, production loss and health care utilization. Multidisciplinary treatment programmes at pain clinics can result in return to work and a decrease in doctor visits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term influences of a rehabilitation programme in primary health care for chronic pain patients with regard to doctor visits, frequency of sick-leave and level of disability.

A longitudinal, intervention study design was used over a three-year period.

A biopsychosocial rehabilitation programme based on ego-strengthening psychotherapy was used. An occupational therapist and a physiotherapist led the intervention, which comprised two meetings per week for six weeks. The study was performed in a primary health care area in the southwest of Sweden with 54 chronic pain patients.

The results showed a significant decrease in the number of doctor visits as well as sick-leave days. The level of absenteeism due to occupational disability changed significantly from being on sick leave to receiving a disability pension.

The rehabilitation programme reduced patient attendance at health care facilities but did not increase the numbers of patients returning to work.