PAIN COPING SKILLS TRAINING UN-LOCKS PATIENT-CENTERED PAIN CARE DURING THE COVID- 19 LOCK-DOWN

Background/Aims Pain is a major concern of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. There is strong evidence that pain coping skills training interventions based on cognitive-behavioral principles can reduce pain severity and pain interference. However, few such interventions have been tested for patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. This study aims to test the efficacy of a caregiver-guided pain coping skills training protocol on patient and caregiver outcomes. Methods A total of 214 patients age ≥18 with Stage III–Stage IV cancer and moderate to severe pain, along with their family caregivers, are being identified and randomized with a 1:1 allocation to the caregiver-guided pain coping skills training intervention or enhanced treatment-as-usual. Dyads in both conditions receive educational resources on pain management, and the caregiver-guided pain coping skills training intervention includes three weekly 60-min sessions conducted with the patient–caregiver dyad via videoconference. Measures of caregiver outcomes (self-efficacy for helping the patient manage pain, caregiver strain, caregiving satisfaction, psychological distress) and patient outcomes (self-efficacy for pain management, pain intensity and interference, psychological distress) are collected at baseline and post-intervention. Caregiver outcomes are also collected 3 and 6 months following the patient’s death. The study is enrolling patients from four tertiary care academic medical centers and one free-standing hospice and palliative care organization. The primary outcome is caregiver self-efficacy for helping the patient manage pain. Results This article describes challenges in the design and implementation of the CaringPals trial. Key issues for trial design include the identification and recruitment of patients with advanced cancer and pain, and the follow-up and collection of data from caregivers following the patient’s death. Conclusion The CaringPals trial addresses a gap in research in pain coping skills training interventions by addressing the unique needs of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Findings from this study may lead to advances in the clinical care of patients with advanced cancer and pain, as well as a better understanding of the effects of training family caregivers to help patients cope with pain.

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Acceptability of telephone-based pain coping skills training among African Americans with osteoarthritis enrolled in a randomized controlled trial: a mixed methods analysis

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-020-03578-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chamara J. Dharmasri ◽

Ida Griesemer ◽

Liubov Arbeeva ◽

Lisa C. Campbell ◽

Crystal W. Cené ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

African Americans ◽

Coping Skills ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Skills Training ◽

Pain Coping ◽

Coping Skills Training ◽

Randomized Controlled

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A qualitative study of patient and provider perspectives on using web-based pain coping skills training to treat persistent cancer pain

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951517000086 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 155-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Christine Rini ◽

Maihan B. Vu ◽

Hannah Lerner ◽

Catherine Bloom ◽

Jessica Carda-Auten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Pain ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Bone Pain ◽

Coping Skills ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Skills Training ◽

Pain Coping ◽

Web Based ◽

Coping Skills Training

AbstractObjective:Persistent pain is common and inadequately treated in cancer patients. Behavioral pain interventions are a recommended part of multimodal pain treatments, but they are underused in clinical care due to barriers such as a lack of the resources needed to deliver them in person and difficulties coordinating their use with clinical care. Pain coping skills training (PCST) is an evidence-based behavioral pain intervention traditionally delivered in person. Delivering this training via the web would increase access to it by addressing barriers that currently limit its use. We conducted a patient pilot study of an 8-week web-based PCST program to determine the acceptability of this approach to patients and the program features needed to meet their needs. Focus groups with healthcare providers identified strategies for coordinating the use of web-based PCST in clinical care.Method:Participants included 7 adults with bone pain due to multiple myeloma or metastasized breast or prostate cancer and 12 healthcare providers (4 physicians and 8 advanced practice providers) who treat cancer-related bone pain. Patients completed web-based PCST at home and then took part in an in-depth qualitative interview. Providers attended focus groups led by a trained moderator. Qualitative analyses identified themes in the patient and provider data.Results:Patients reported strongly favorable responses to web-based PCST and described emotional and physical benefits. They offered suggestions for adapting the approach to better fit their needs and to overcome barriers to completion. Focus groups indicated a need to familiarize healthcare providers with PCST and to address concerns about overburdening patients. Providers would recommend the program to patients they felt could benefit. They suggested applying a broad definition of cancer pain and having various types of providers help coordinate program its use with clinical care.Significance of results:Web-based PCST was acceptable to patients and providers. Our findings suggest that patients could benefit from this approach, especially if patient and provider barriers are addressed.

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