A Non-Pharmacological Multidisciplinary Pain Program within a Hospital Wellness Program: A Mixed Methods Study

Authors: Rebne E , Louw A , Hoffman K , Graf B , Mitchler B , Gordon R , Fencl L , Zeddies C , Werner E , Schroeder C , Milbrath M , Niquette K and Vaca L

DOI: 10.23880/aphot-16000283

Volume 8, Issue 1

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is complex and often needs a multi-disciplinary approach focusing on changing cognition (education), movement, and strategies to calm down a hypervigilant nervous system. In the United States (US), multidisciplinary pain programs are expensive, have long waiting periods, not readily accessible and often heavily focused on pharmaceutical interventions and more imaging. Many healthcare systems provide wellness programs, accessible to communities and often inexpensive or free. The primary aim of this study was to determine if a non-pharmacological pain program, delivered by a multidisciplinary team in a wellness program yields positive results. Methods: Over a 2-year span, data was collected on 35 participants in a hospital-based wellness program, focusing on pain neuroscience education (PNE), different forms of exercise and various strategies aimed to calm a hypervigilant nervous system (i.e., relaxation, mindfulness-based-stress reduction, coping skills, etc.). Prior to and immediately following the 4-week program, pain knowledge (Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire – rNPQ), pain catastrophization (Pain Catastrophization Scale – PCS) and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia – TSK) was measured. At the completion of the program, patients were surveyed regarding their experience with the program. Results: At the completion of the study, all formal measures increased significantly – rNPQ (p < 0.001), PCS (p < 0.004) and TSK (p < 0.001), with various patients moving below cut-off scores. Patients highly recommended the class (means score of 8.81 ± 1.69/10), citing learning more about pain and additional ways to treat their pain non-pharmacologically as key takeaways. Conclusion and Relevance: A non-pharmacological, multi-disciplinary pain program, embedded in a wellness program of a healthcare system, yield positive shifts in pain knowledge, pain catastrophization and kinesiophobia, and patients value the program. Delivering such a pain program into existing wellness programs may allow for more local, evidence-based, affordable care for patients with chronic pain within their local communities.

Keywords: Neuroscience Education; Multidisciplinary; Non-Pharmacological; Wellness Program; Chronic Pain

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