Given the limited alleviation of chronic pain with pharmacological treatments, various nonpharmacological and self-care approaches are often proposed that require patients' motivation.
To evaluate the level of readiness (LOR) to practise different types of active self-care among chronic pain patients.
A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among all chronic pain patients seeking care at the Pain Center of an academic hospital from June 2013 to March 2015. Sociodemographic data, pain characteristics, treatments and the LOR to practise active self-care were investigated.
Among the 1524 eligible patients, 639 (41.9%) were included. The median pain duration was 8.5 years (interquartile range = 7.5). Two-thirds (63.7%) of the patients reported high pain-related disability, and 64.6% had used opioids during the previous six months. Most patients had a high (44.1%) or moderate (24.6%) LOR to practise active self-care. Multivariable multinomial regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with a high LOR were a higher level of education (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.90-6.13, p < 0.001), unemployed status due to medical condition (RRR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.30-6.56, p = 0.009), the use of dietary supplements 'against pain' (RRR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.52-5.04, p = 0.001) and neuropathic pain characteristics (RRR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.40-3.12, p = 0.036). Older age was a factor predicting a lower LOR (RRR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p = 0.039). Long-term chronic pain, severe pain-related disability and the presence of a mood disorder were not associated with a lower LOR.
Most chronic pain patients, including those severely affected, indicated their readiness to practise active self-care methods.
Most chronic pain patients, even those severely affected, appeared to be ready to practise active self-care therapies and we believe that further studies are needed to investigate their impact on pain and quality of life.