PURPOSE To describe the outcome of a multidisciplinary pain management program for children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS STUDY DESIGN exploratory retrospective cohort study. The study sample consisted of a cohort of 70 children and adolescents (age: 8-21 years) with chronic musculoskeletal pain who completed a 3-month inpatient multidisciplinary pain managemen...

In human studies, low COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) activity has been associated with increased sensitivity to acute clinical preoperative or postoperative pain. We explored the association between the COMT genotype and three chronic pain conditions: migrainous headache, fibromyalgia, or chronic widespread pain and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, we evaluated whether COMT genot...

BACKGROUND Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a major health problem among older adults, particularly those who live alone and/or those who are dependent on formal care. Chronic pain is associated with mobility problems, falls, fear of falling, catastrophizing thoughts, and a lower quality of life. Research shows that physical therapy interventions based on behavioral medicine approaches are benef...

BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and massage may be useful adjunctive therapies for chronic musculoskeletal pain. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of studying MBSR and massage for the management of chronic pain and estimate their effects on pain and mood. DESIGN Randomized trial comparing MBSR or massage with standard care. PARTICIPANTS Thirty patients with chroni...

AIM To evaluate the impact of a nurse consultant in developing a new model of care for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. BACKGROUND Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain experience fragmented care and long waits to have their symptoms assessed [Clinical Standards Advisory Group (2000) Services for Patients with Pain. Department of Health, London]. A nurse consultant post was cr...