Evaluating the chronic pain collaborative movement therapy consultation

Abstract

Introduction Chronic pain is a prevalent and complex health problem with a significant impact on patients' well-being. The collaborative movement therapy consultation (CMTC), offered by the Division of Pain Medicine at the University Medical Center Utrecht, aims to provide individualized treatment for chronic pain. This study investigates the characteristics of patients who may benefit from this therapy. Method This retrospective observational cohort study examined chronic pain patients who attended a CMTC. The patients pain scores are analyzed and participants' characteristics were summarized in a baseline table and assessed for significance using t-tests and Pearson correlations. To evaluate the consultation's effectiveness in managing chronic pain, a minimum clinically important difference was set on two points of pain score decrease. Results A total of 212 patients were analyzed. The lowest, highest, and combined VAS score all showed a decrease. However, none of the scores reached the MCID threshold. Head pain, other pre-consultation treatment, and longer pain duration were associated with less pain reduction. Discussion This research study found that participating in the CMTC led to a significant reduction in pain scores after 3 months, although it did not meet the MCID threshold. Movement therapy have been shown to be effective for chronic pain. Head pain, prior treatments, benefited less for the CMTC. The study's limitations included the lack of a control group and variability time of in questionnaire completion. Further research is needed to explore treatment adherence and specific types of movement therapy within CMTC.