Multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural pain management programmes for people with a spinal cord injury: design and implementation.
OBJECTIVE
This article seeks to outline the design and implementation of cognitive behavioural pain management programmes (PMPs) for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), illustrated by the experiences in a recently evaluated programme (SpinalADAPT). It is hoped that this will provide an easily accessible account of the relevant design and implementation issues for those who seek to deliver such programmes to persons with a SCI.


METHODS
A collaborative team of pain and SCI professionals developed a modified version of a standard cognitive behavioural pain management programme (ADAPT) based upon experiences of those with SCI who had previously attempted ADAPT. A number of structural and content elements of the programme were identified that required modification in order to accommodate the particular needs of those with SCI.


RESULTS
The modified programme was subsequently successfully delivered by a combination of SCI and pain health professionals. Three groups of individuals completed the SpinalADAPT, and an evaluation of outcomes compared to standard care are reported elsewhere (Nicholson Perry et al., Clin J Pain 2010;26:206-216).


CONCLUSIONS
It appears feasible to appropriately modify standard PMPs for participants with SCI, and that such programmes may offer benefits in terms of improved quality of life. Further revision and evaluation of such programmes is required.
The School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Australia. k.nicholsonperry@uws.edu.au
K Nicholson
KN
Perry
Michael K
MK
Nicholas
James
J
Middleton
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*