Date Presented 3/31/2017
This qualitative study explored chronic pain patients’ perceptions of treatment interventions that work to decrease their pain and increase their occupational performance, in order to further incorporate treatments that work into occupational therapy practice and ensure client centeredness.
Primary Author and Speaker: Emily Jehl
Additional Authors and Speakers: Erin Solger, Crysta Weaver
Contributing Authors: Debora Oliveira, Barbara Kornblau, Sarah Mbiza, Aurelia Alexander
PURPOSE: This study sought to gain insight into what people with chronic pain find works for their pain, to further incorporate those methods into practice and ensure client centeredness. Occupational therapists take a client-centered, evidence-based approach to develop interventions for all clients, including those with chronic pain. However, research shows that many interventions developed for patients with chronic pain do not take the clients’ perceptions of the treatment into practice and the development of treatment plans.
DESIGN AND METHOD: This qualitative study explored chronic pain patients’ perceptions of treatment interventions to decrease pain and increase function through an online survey of open-ended questions. Participants were recruited from closed Facebook communities. These methods ensured participation was voluntary. No identifiable information or IP addresses were collected. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and grounded theory until saturation. Multiple researchers and data collection from multiple sources ensured triangulation, rigor, and trustworthiness.
RESULTS: The study found that lack of access to medication causes people with chronic pain to seek other options to relieve their pain. Most people reported feeling some relief through multiple methods, including both traditional and nontraditional methods. However, they did not report an increase in quality of life from these other methods.
DISCUSSION: The results of thematic analysis showed the need for occupational therapy services to help those with chronic pain increase their quality of life through function in occupations, such as instrumental activities of daily living and sleep, that they have been unable to perform without medication. Further research is needed to develop the evidence behind the interventions identified by patients to help their pain, explore the impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on a larger sample, and examine the role of occupational therapy in helping people with chronic pain increase function and quality of life.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This study explored chronic pain patients’ perceptions of treatment interventions that work to decrease their pain and increase their occupational performance, in order to further incorporate into occupational therapy practice and ensure client centeredness.
