Daily functioning and self-management after the RealHealth programme
Daily functioning and self-management in patients with chronic low back pain after an intensive pain management programme
van Hooff, M. L., van der Merwe, J. D., O’Dowd, J., Pavlov, P. W., Spruit, M., de Kleuver, M., & van Limbeek, J. (2010). Daily functioning and self-management in patients with chronic low back pain after an intensive cognitive behavioral programme for pain management. European Spine Journal, 19(9), 1517-1526
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What is the study about?
This study examined people with chronic low back pain who followed an intensive treatment programme that focuses on functioning better with pain (based on cognitive behavioural therapy). The programme was delivered by RealHealth-Netherlands in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons.
How was the study conducted?
107 patients with chronic low back pain participated in the study. There were 4 measurement points: before treatment, on the last day of the 2-week programme, after 1 month and after 1 year. Daily functioning, confidence in coping with pain, and quality of life were assessed. The results were compared with previous studies of other rehabilitation programmes and with studies of back surgery for similar complaints.
The results:
79% of participants functioned significantly better in daily life
53% gained more confidence in coping with their pain
80% experienced a better quality of life
The improvements persisted after 1 year
What is remarkable?
The results were comparable to back surgery, but without surgical intervention. In fact, the results were even 36% better than with less intensive rehabilitation programmes. Participants learnt to cope effectively with their pain and got their lives back.
What does this mean in practice?
If you've been suffering from low back pain for a long time and nothing seems to really help, surgery isn't your only option. This research shows that by learning to cope with your pain differently – both physically and mentally – you can achieve just as much improvement as with surgery. Approximately 8 out of 10 people function noticeably better in their daily lives after the programme: they can do more again, feel more confident and have a better quality of life. And that effect persists in the long term as well.
To the publication
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