Inpatient management of the chronic pain patient: a one-year follow-up study

An inpatient chronic pain management unit stressing a multidimensional behavioral approach has been in operation since April 1979 at a 405-bed community hospital. Components of the program include chemical detoxification, physical, occupational, and relaxation therapies, group meetings, and family therapy. The first 13 patients to complete the program achieved 100 percent success in medication reduction and experienced decreases in depression, hysteria, hypochondriasis, and self-ratings of pain intensity. Many have returned to work. Follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months shows maintenance of improvement.