Longitudinal Outcomes for a 10-Week Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program
Julia R Craner1,2, Andrea J Fromson1, Kayla B Moore1
1Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|October 13, 2025
Summary
This study shows that a 10-week interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP) significantly improves chronic pain and function. These benefits are durable, with patients maintaining improvements 12 months post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic pain affects millions, necessitating effective, long-term treatment strategies.
- Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) offer comprehensive care for chronic pain.
- Limited data exists on the long-term durability of IPRP outcomes across diverse patient groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and durability of a 10-week outpatient interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program (IPRP).
Main Methods:
- 398 adults with chronic pain participated in a 10-week outpatient IPRP (physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain psychology, medical management).
- Outcomes including pain intensity, interference, mood, anxiety, physical functioning, and pain catastrophizing were assessed at intake, discharge, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in all measured outcomes were observed from intake to discharge.
- While some decline in treatment gains occurred over time, all measures remained significantly improved at 12 months compared to baseline.
- Participant retention for follow-up surveys varied, with 15.6% completing 12-month assessments.
Conclusions:
- A 10-week IPRP model effectively improves pain and functioning in patients with heterogeneous chronic pain conditions.
- The program provides durable benefits, supporting its role as a valuable intervention for chronic pain management.
- Findings contribute to the evidence base for IPRPs in community rehabilitation settings.
