Abstract
Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a common problem in primary health care, with a prevalence of 10-15%. An educational program called Pain School has been developed for use in primary health care, comprising four educational group sessions and 10 weeks of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' experiences with participating in an educational program that aims to increase their understanding of pain, self-efficacy, tools in daily life, and physical activity. Twelve women (age 25-72 years) with CWP were included in this qualitative interview study set in primary health care. Semi-structured individual interviews were held 10 weeks after the completion of the four educational group sessions. Data was analyzed through the established method of content analysis, and the results are presented as a theme with categories and subcategories. An overarching theme that described the participants' experiences with the educational program was evolvement of skills and perspectives to master pain. This theme covered four categories: understanding one's body and mind, experiencing the value of participation, applying strategies and ways of thinking, and evaluating and adding to one's personal framework. Participation contributed to an increased understanding of one's body and mind and to experiencing the individual and social value of participation. The participants applied new strategies and ways of thinking related to pain and physical activity. An evaluation of the relevance for the individual and the value of being in the group could reinforce or add to the participants' personal framework. The educational program Pain School that was used in this study appears to give knowledge and support for women with CWP in primary health care and provide them with applicable skills and perspectives to manage pain.
Highlights
Chronic widespread pain (CWP) has been described as the presence of pain in the right and left half of the body, below and above the waistline, and axial skeletal pain, for at least three months [1]
The educational program Pain School that was used in this study appears to give knowledge and support for women with CWP in primary health care and provide them with applicable skills and perspectives to manage pain
Chronic pain has been shown to be associated with lower quality of life with limitations in activities of daily living [4], and CWP has been shown to be associated with psychological distress, fatigue, and decreased physical activity and physical function [5, 6]
Summary
Chronic widespread pain (CWP) has been described as the presence of pain in the right and left half of the body, below and above the waistline, and axial skeletal pain, for at least three months [1]. Chronic pain has been shown to be associated with lower quality of life with limitations in activities of daily living [4], and CWP has been shown to be associated with psychological distress, fatigue, and decreased physical activity and physical function [5, 6]. Patients have described the experience of daily life with CWP with feelings of loneliness, struggling with inabilities and stress, and with varying flexibility of adapting and striving forward [7]. Patients with CWP have been shown to have a low understanding of chronic pain and the physiological processes involved [8]. Educating patients about pain processes has been shown to improve their knowledge about pain biology, reduce pain, and improve function [9].
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