Chronic pain (pain that is that is present for a long period of time) is very common among people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, chronic pain is very difficult to treat. Many treatments reduce chronic pain only partially. As a result, many people with SCI must find ways of accomplishing daily activities even though they have pain. The purpose of this research study is to determine how well two different kinds of education programs reduce the extent to which chronic pain interferes with daily life and well-being.
Pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, current pain treatments offer incomplete relief, produce side effects, and/or involve significant cost. Low-risk, low-cost treatments capable of addressing residual pain and pain-related disability are greatly needed. A number of research studies have associated educational interventions with improvements in pain-related outcomes. The overall goal of the proposed pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of two types of educational programs for people with chronic pain and spinal cord injury. This study aims to identify a low-cost, low-risk treatment option that empowers people with pain and SCI to improve their functioning and quality of life.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
29
The first part of the education program involves four weeks of in-person classes (2 hours per class) given once per week with homework assignments of approximately 30 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week. The second part of the education program involves home-based activities only, performed approximately 30 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week.
The first part of the education program involves four weeks of in-person classes (2 hours per class) given once per week with homework assignments of approximately 30 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week. The second part of the education program involves home-based activities only, performed approximately 30 minutes per day for at least 5 days per week.
Kessler Foundation
West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Pain interference with activities
The extent to which pain interferes with daily activities will be measured with the Life Interference Subscale of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-LIS). The MPI-LIS is a 10-item self-report of extent of interference of pain with life activities and the enjoyment of life. The subscale will be modified to remove two items related to work, as recommended based on a factor analysis of the subscale in persons with SCI.
Time frame: Week 10 versus baseline
Pain intensity
Pain intensity will be rated on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (0="no pain" and 10="pain as bad as you can imagine").
Time frame: Week 10 versus baseline
Mental health and well-being
The Brief Patient Health Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale will be used to assess changes in mental health that occur between baseline and the end of the education program.
Time frame: Week 10 versus baseline
Pain attitudes
The Survey of Pain Attitudes will be used to assess changes in thoughts and beliefs about pain.
Time frame: Week 10 versus baseline
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