Does systematic graded exposure in vivo enhance outcomes in multidisciplinary chronic pain management groups?
OBJECTIVES: Graded exposure in vivo (GEXP) treatment has been successfully used to reduce levels of pain-related fear and disability in some chronic pain patients, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated in general clinical settings using group-design studies. The purpose of this study was to determine if the systematic incorporation of GEXP into a multidisciplinary chronic pain management group (PMG) treatment program would result in better treatment outcomes than usual PMG treatment. METHODS: One hundred forty-three chronic pain patients who were assessed as suitable for an outpatient multidisciplinary chronic PMG program were randomly allocated to 3 experimental conditions; usual PMG, PMG incorporating systematic graded exposure, and wait-list control. RESULTS: The clinical outcomes of the 2 treatment conditions were not significantly different, suggesting that the systematic incorporation of GEXP into a multidisciplinary PMG program did not result in better treatment outcomes
