The positives effects of a pain education program on patients with chronic pain: observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain education is a tool that helps health professionals in the biopsychosocial approach and in pain management in patients with musculoskeletal pain. The objectives of the study were to verify the effects of a pain education program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The evaluated outcomes were pain, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, quality of life, central sensitization and perception of the disease. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study. Data from 24 participants with chronic pain, mean age 57 years, were analyzed, 83% of whom were female. Patients participated in a pain education program, which addressed topics such as acceptance, pain alarm, sleep, relaxation, negative thoughts, return to activities, relationships, and exercises. RESULTS: Participants showed significant changes in the cognitive representation of the disease measured by the Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ) (p