Path Model of Treatment Outcome in a Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic

Abstract

The treatment of chronic pain disorders has become multifaceted as the field of pain research has recognized the complex nature of chronic pain. Multidisciplinary pain management has been developed in order to address the complexities of chronic pain disorders. However, in the study of multidisciplinary pain management, there have been few models predicting patients’ response to treatment. This study examined a path model of treatment outcome, incorporating such variables as coping styles, treatment compliance, and treatment outcome. Results indicated that a coping style involving the suppression of negative emotion is associated with more treatment compliance, functional capacity, and perceived life control. A coping style involving amplification of negative emotion was found to be associated with poorer treatment compliance, functional impairment and emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety. Possessing an aggressive coping style was found to be associated with poor treatment compliance, as well as anger, hostility, and a low probability of benefiting from a treatment program.