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Behavior modification of chronic pain: a treatment program by a multidisciplinary team
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|November 1, 1977
Summary
This chronic pain treatment program modifies patient behavior, successfully helping 74% of patients return to normal active lives long-term. The intensive program focuses on reducing pain behaviors and medication use.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Behavioral Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Chronic pain affects millions, often leading to disability and reduced quality of life.
- Traditional pain management often focuses on pharmacological interventions, with limited success in long-term functional improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary inpatient program for chronic pain.
- To assess the long-term outcomes of a behavior modification approach to chronic pain management.
Main Methods:
- A 7-8 week inpatient program followed by a 4-week outpatient phase.
- Multidisciplinary team screening and evaluation, focusing on pain behaviors, medication use, activity levels, and conditioning.
- Program aims to extinguish pain behaviors and medication reliance, increase activity, and reinforce well behaviors.
Main Results:
- 34 patients completed the program and returned to full active lives.
- 74% (25/34) maintained this functional improvement at 6 months to 7 years post-treatment.
- The program successfully modified pain behaviors and increased patient activity levels.
Conclusions:
- A behavior modification program is effective for treating chronic pain.
- Long-term functional recovery is achievable through intensive, multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation.
- This approach offers a viable alternative or adjunct to traditional pain management strategies.