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Comprehensive Pain Program outcomes evaluation: a preliminary study in Hawai'i
Ira D Zunin1, Steve Orenstein, Mahana Chang
1Integrative Healthcare Group & Rehabilitation Center, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA. zunin@manakaiomalama.com
Insights
The Comprehensive Pain Program (CPP) in Hawai
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Psychosocial Interventions
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic pain negatively impacts quality of life, function, and resource utilization.
- Biopsychosocial interventions aim to address multifaceted aspects of chronic pain.
- Social isolation and depression are significant contributors to poor chronic pain outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a preliminary outcome evaluation of the Comprehensive Pain Program (CPP).
- To assess the effectiveness of a biopsychosocial intervention for chronic pain patients in Hawai'i.
Main Methods:
- The CPP includes pre-treatment screening and a 12-week Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
- The IOP integrates group psychotherapy, acupuncture, mind/body training, and therapeutic movement.
- Thirty-five participants across five cohorts completed the 12-week IOP (3 sessions/week, 3 hours/session).
Main Results:
- Statistically significant decreases in somatization, depression, and anxiety were observed post-treatment.
- Significant improvements in quality of life and functional capacity were reported by patients.
- Substantial reductions in healthcare resource utilization were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The preliminary evaluation indicates the CPP is successful in improving patient outcomes.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is recommended.
- Additional studies should investigate critical treatment components, clinical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to provide a preliminary outcome evaluation of the Comprehensive Pain Program (CPP) that was developed in Hawai'i to treat chronic pain patients. The CPP is a biopsychosocial intervention designed to interrupt the pattern of social isolation and to minimize pain-related depression that contributes to reduced quality of life, poor function, and increased utilization of resources. The CPP consists of a comprehensive pre-treatment screening process and a 12-week Intensive Out patient Program (IOP). Primary elements of the IOP include group psychotherapy, acupuncture, mind/body training, and therapeutic movement, thiry-five participants from a total of five cohorts completed the IOP (i.e., three sessions a week, each lasting three hours fora 12-week period). The CPP demonstrated success in six outcome areas: 1) utilization of healthcare resources, 2) functional capacity, 3) quality of life, and 4) psychological functioning, such as somatization, depression, and anxiety Post-treatment, patients demonstrated statistically significant decreases in somatization, depression, and anxiety, and statistically significant improvement in quality of life. Patient outcomes further showed substantial improvements with regards to functional capacity, as well as significant decreases in the utilization of healthcare resources. In conclusion, the preliminary evaluation of the CPP suggests additional studies with a larger sample size and comparison groups are warranted to further evaluate critical components of the treatment regimen, clinical outcome, and cost-effectiveness.
