Background & Aims
Educational interventions have been used effectively in the treatment of several chronic diseases (1). In the area of pain, interventions of this nature have been shown to be effective in reducing pain intensity, physical disability and psychological symptoms (2). Interventions mediated by information and communication technologies have also been shown to be an efficient resource for patients with chronic pain (3,4). On the other hand, there is reduced training of health professionals to address pain considering its multidimensional nature (5). This research describes the results of an on line psychoeducational intervention carried out over 8 weeks, offered to patients with chronic pain, carried out by students enrolled in the postgraduate pain course at Hospital Albert Einstein – São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study using a convenience sample. The results of the intervention were analyzed through comparison of pre and post tests using descriptive and inferential statistics and t test. In addition, clinical characteristics of this population will also be presented. Data regarding age, gender, location and intensity of pain, use of medication, practice of physical activity and previous psychotherapy were also investigated.
During 2022 and 2023, 8 groups were held, each with an average participation of 15 people, altogether around 120 people have enrolled into the groups The educational sessions consisted of 8 meetings with 90 minute duration, the content covered explaining pain as a multidimensional phenomenon, identifying aspects that would increase pain and physical disability, developing coping strategies, managing anxiety and stress, sleep, the importance of exercise and relaxation techniques.
Results
Around 50% of participants completed pre and post intervention questionnaires. The results of the intervention were measured using a numerical visual scale for patients to indicate the degree of interference of pain in their lives and the degree of inability to carry out the three main activities of daily life. Sixty six participants returned the questionnaires after participating in the intervention, 95% of the participants were female, the majority of them (59%) were from the southeast regions. Mean age of the participants was 46.9 (SD=13.8), around 80% of participants had pain in more than one location and had chronic pain for 7 years (SD = 5.7). The majority of participants (95%) reported using some type of medication. The results suggest that although patients had a reduction in the pain interference in daily activities (p = 0.001). However the degree of difficulty experienced by the patients did not change significantly.
Conclusions
These findings is significant for the clinical point of view and in accordance with the literature that suggest that online/e health/internet based interventions for patients with chronic pain are efficient to reduce physical disability and emotional stress but less eficient to reduce pain intensity (2,3,5). However as pointed out by the literature (3,5,6) the structure of these interventions need to be better framed as well the quality of the assessment/instruments used to evaluate the outcomes.
Despite this, the results of this and other educational interventions mediated by communication and information technologies appear to be promising, given the reduced cost of these interventions, broad access for participants and optimization of the professionals involved. Providing electronic material for patients also proved to be an important educational resource, and it was appreciated by the patient as well.
References
1.Guedes, A. C. C. M., & Valente, T. C. de O. (2023). Práticas educacionais colaborativas em saúde mediadas pelas tecnologias da informação e comunicação: uma revisão de literatura. Revista Eletrônica De Comunicação, Informação & Inovação Em Saúde, 17(4), 962–975. https://doi.org/10.29397/reciis.v17iAhead-of-Print.3367
2.Louw, A., et al., Pain Neuroscience Education, in A Clinical Guide, A. Louw, Editor. 2018, OPTP: Minneapolis
3.Keogh, E; Rosser, B. A.; Eccleston, C. e-Health and chronic pain management: Current status and developments. Pain 151(1):p 18-21, October 2010. | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.07.014
4.Liossi, C; Failo, A; Schoth, Daniel E.; Williams, G; Howard, R. The effectiveness of online pain resources for health professionals: a systematic review with subset meta-analysis of educational intervention studies. PAIN 159(4):p 631-643, April 2018. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001146
5.Blake F.; Eyala, K; Rhiannona, F; Dudeney, J; Nielssen, O; Gandy, M; Staples, L; Scott, A. J.; Heriseanu, A. I.; Bisby, M. A.; Hathway, T; Titov, N; Schroeder, L. The Pain Course: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of an internet-delivered pain management program. PAIN 163(7):p 1388-1401, July 2022. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002507
6.Bender, J. L; Radhakrishnan, A; Diorio, C; Englesakis, M; Jadad, A. R. Can pain be managed through the Internet? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Pain, 152, (8) p. 1740-1750. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2011.02.012.
Presenting Author
Jamir Sardá Jr.
Poster Authors
Topics
- Education