Medical group visits: a feasibility study to manage patients with chronic pain in an underserved urban clinic.
Paula Gardiner, Danielle Dresner, Katherine Gergen-Barnett, Ekaterina Sadikova, Robert B Saper
Global Advances in Health and Medicine July 1, 2014 DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2014.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 65 |
| Population | Predominantly racially diverse patients with chronic pain at an inner-city outpatient clinic |
| Duration | 8-session program; groups met over 12 months; outcomes compared at baseline and 8 weeks |
| Measures | Pain in the last week (0-10 point scale), Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), perceived stress, sleep quality |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Mindfulness-based stress reduction Group medical visit Patient-centered non-pharmacologic strategies |
| Key points | The integrative medical group visit model was judged feasible: 65 of 70 patients who joined enrolled, and seven groups met over 12 months. Pain in the last week decreased by a mean of 0.7 points (0-10 scale) from baseline to 8 weeks, and PHQ-8 depression scores among patients scoring 5 or higher at baseline fell by a mean of 2.6 points; sleep quality and perceived stress also improved significantly. |
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain affects millions of racially diverse Americans. Evidence suggests that group medical visits are effective for treating chronic pain; similarly, a number of studies demonstrate the effectiveness of certain evidence-based complementary therapies in managing pain.
Objectives: The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the integrative medical group visit (IMGV) care model in an inner-city racially diverse outpatient clinic. IMGV combines patient-centered, non-pharmacologic strategies and principles of mindfulness-based stress-reduction with a group medical visit to reduce pain and associated symptoms.
Methods: We surveyed patients pre and post an 8-session IMGV program to evaluate changes in pain in the last week (0-10 point scale) and comorbid symptoms including depression (Patient Health Questionaire-8 [PHQ-8]), perceived stress, and sleep quality. We also recorded referrals to the program, patients screened for eligibility, total enrollment, loss to follow-up, and attendance.
Results: Seventy patients joined IMGV, and of these, 65 (93%) enrolled in the study. Over the course of 12 months, 7 groups met (median 9 patients/group; range 8-13 participants). Mean difference in pain level for all patients between baseline and 8 weeks was 0.7 (SD=2.0, P=.005). Mean difference in PHQ-8 depression score for patients with baseline score ≥5 was 2.6 (SD=4.6, P<.001). Statistically significant improvements were also seen in sleep quality and perceived stress.
Conclusion: A group visits program combining conventional and integrative medicine for predominantly racially diverse patients is feasible.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness-Based Group Medical Visits: Strategies to Improve Equitable Access and Inclusion for Diverse Patients in Cancer Treatment. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Race-Based Differences in the Response to a Mindfulness Based Integrative Medical Group Visit Intervention for Chronic Pain. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024
- Listening to Their Words: A Qualitative Analysis of Integrative Medicine Group Visits in an Urban Underserved Medical Setting. Pain Medicine June 2016
Cites 3
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2010
- The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine June 1985