A randomized trial of a representational intervention to decrease cancer pain (RIDcancerPain).
OBJECTIVE
Based on theories regarding cognitive representations of illness and processes of conceptual change, a representational intervention to decrease cancer pain (RIDcancerPain) was developed and its efficacy tested.


METHODS
A two-group RCT (RIDcancerPain versus control) with outcome and mediating variables assessed at baseline (T1) and 1 and 2 months later (T2 and T3). Subjects were 176 adults with pain related to metastatic cancer.


METHODS
Outcome variables were two pain severity measures (BPI and TPQM), pain interference with life, and overall quality of life. Mediating variables were attitudinal barriers to pain management and coping (medication use).


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty subjects completed the study. Subjects in RIDcancerPain (T1-T2 and T1-T3) showed greater decreases in Barrier scores than those in control. Subjects in RIDcancerPain (T1-T3) showed greater decreases in pain severity than those in control. Change in Barriers scores mediated the effect of RIDcancerPain on pain severity.


CONCLUSIONS
RIDcancerPain was efficacious with respect to some outcomes. Further work is needed to strengthen it.
Ward
Sandra
S
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Donovan
Heidi
H
College of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh.
Gunnarsdottir
Sigridur
S
Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland.
Serlin
Ronald C
RC
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Shapiro
Gary R
GR
Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University.
Hughes
Susan
S
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014922:Wisconsin
D000700:Analgesics