Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in real-world patients with chronic back pain: A pilot cohort data analysis

BACKGROUND: Randomized clinical trials (RCT) suggest a multidisciplinary approach to pain rehabilitation is superior to other active treatments in improving pain intensity, function, disability, and pain interference for patients with chronic pain, with small effect size (ds = 0.20-0.36) but its effectiveness remains unknown in real-world practice. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary program to a cognitive and behavioral therapy (pain-CBT) in real-world patients with chronic back pain. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (M-age = 57.6, 82.1% Female) completed a multidisciplinary program that included pain psychology and physical therapy. Eighteen patients (M-age = 58.9, 77.8% Female) completed a CBT-alone program. Using a learning healthcare system, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, 0-10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (R) measures were administered before and after the programs. RESULTS: We found significant improvement in mobility and pain behavior only after a multidisciplinary program (p's < 0.031; d = 0.69 and 0.55). We also found significant improvement in pain interference, fatigue, depression, anxiety, social role satisfaction, and pain catastrophizing after pain-CBT or multidisciplinary programs ( p's < 0.037; ds = 0.29-0.73). Pain ratings were not significantly changed by either program (p's > 0.207). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program observed in RCT would be generalizable to real-world practice.