Pain management: long-term follow-up of an inpatient program

To determine maintenance of lifestyle changes following completion of an inpatient behavioral pain management program, 40 patients were followed up by questionnaire 6 months to 3 years after program completion, with the majority contacted at least 18 months postdischarge. Thirty-two patients completed some portion of the questionnaire. Responders were similar to nonresponders in age, sex, chronicity of pain on admission, and time since discharge. Responses to specific items indicated that patients had increased activity level and employment and had decreased use of pain-related medications. A global measure of success was based on 3 criteria: (1) reported nonuse of narcotic analgesics, muscle relaxants and tranquilizers; (2) status as employed, in training, or running a household or continuation of 50% to 100% of exercises and reported increased recreational activities; and (3) no reported increase in pain. Of the patients providing adequate data for application of these criteria, 37% met all 3 standards at follow-up. Such a multivariate criterion is recommended for assessment of multidisciplinary pain programs. More frequently practices behaviors (ie, nonuse of medications, exercises) appeared better maintained. Thus, increased behavioral practice, particularly in vocational and recreational activities, is recommended.