Readiness to adopt a self-management approach to pain: evaluation of the pain stages of change model in a non-pain-clinic sample

A similar assessment of the stages has been shown among chronic pain patients, mainly back pain patients.

“showed a similar assessment to the stages among chronic pain patients, mainly back pain patients.”

There has been growing interest in the chronic pain patient's motivation and self-management training.

“There has been growing interest in the chronic pain patient’s motivation and self-management training.”

More recent approaches of multimodal treatment, including medical, psychological, and cognitive-behavioral components such as a self-management approach, have shown a significant and lasting effect in patients with a high incidence of workplace incapacitation and sick leave.

“More recent approaches of multimodal treatment, including medical, psychological, and cognitive-behavioral components such as a self-management approach, have shown a significant and lasting effect in patients with a high incidence of workplace incapacitation and sick leave.”

The association of lower educational level and gender with the precontemplation stage was not confirmed in a non-pain-clinic sample.

“did not confirm these results.”

In Habib et al.'s study, 16% of those in the maintenance stage used marijuana to manage their pain.

“16% used marijuana to manage their pain”

In Habib et al.'s study, individuals in the action stage used daily analgesics as their primary coping strategy.

“individuals in the action stage used daily analgesics as their primary coping strategy”

In Habib et al.'s study, 27% of those in the maintenance stage had further surgery planned.

“27% of those in the maintenance stage had further surgery planned”

One problem with the readiness to change instrument is that its items are not specific enough with regard to the type of self-management that patients are willing to undertake.

“the items on this instrument are not specific enough with regard to the type of self-management that patients are willing to undertake”

In Habib et al.'s study, 37% of those in the maintenance stage used narcotics as their primary coping strategy.

“37% used narcotics as their primary coping strategy”

Taken together, these findings raise questions about the clinical utility of readiness to change measures such as the PCOQ, particularly with regard to treatment planning.

“Taken together, these findings raise questions about the clinical utility of readiness to change measures such as the PCOQ, particularly with regard to treatment planning.”

Habib et al. reported similar findings in a study of 90 patients with pain drawn from a primary care clinic.

“reported similar findings in a recent study of 90 patients with pain drawn from a primary care clinic”