Feasibility of a Mindfulness and Pain Management Group in an Acute Rehabilitation Setting

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To report the feasibility of a Mindfulness and Pain Management group for adults in acute inpatient rehabilitation, share details on the novel intervention, and the results of an exploratory analysis. <h3>Design</h3> Retrospective chart review. <h3>Setting</h3> Inpatient rehabilitation facility. <h3>Participants</h3> Adults receiving rehabilitation after orthopedic, amputee, spinal cord injury, cancer, or stroke, who report pain. <h3>Interventions</h3> 45-minute, 4-part, Mindfulness and Pain Management group led by a clinical psychologist and physical therapist. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> The Mindfulness and Pain Management Survey (MPMS) which assesses any prior knowledge/use of mindfulness and pain management strategies and the likelihood to utilize strategies learned. The Numerical Rating Scale of Pain (NRS) assesses pain levels on a 0-10 scale. The NRS was administered to participants pre and post the intervention. <h3>Results</h3> Over 6-months, 22 pain management groups took place, with 53 participants total. Recruitment was continuous. Of the 53, 57.8% were female, the mean age of the group was 65.45(14.75). The most common diagnostic group was the orthopedic population (54.7%) and the most common location of the pain was the leg (29.7%). The means and standard deviations were calculated for the NRS, both pre and post the group session. The pre-group NRS were 5.13(2.50) and the post-group NRS were 4.45(2.66). The paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant average difference, t52=3.648, p <h3>Conclusions</h3> The findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a Mindfulness and Pain Management Group in an acute rehabilitation setting. Also, findings suggests potential effect on pain reduction, however we suggest more research to examine the efficacy of this group. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> All authors have nothing to disclose.