title: Are self-management strategies effective in chronic pain treatment?
abstract: It has long been recognized that in the management of chronic illnesses generally, medical care alone is unlikely to be sufficient without the active contribution of the patient. This perspective has also been enunciated in numerous guidelines for the management of chronic pain. However, in the case of chronic pain at least, the nature and role of self-management have been poorly defined and, as a result, poorly understood and researched. This review considers the nature of self-management strategies for chronic pain, evidence of their effectiveness and ways in which self-management can be facilitated for those in chronic pain. A research and training agenda is proposed for where this work could go next.
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Sydney Medical School-Northern, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: Concord Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Blyth
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: chronic pain; cognitive–behavioral therapy; disability; pain management; self-management; strategies