Health and wellness coaching positively impacts individuals with chronic pain and pain-related interference

Abstract

Objectives Health and wellness coaching (HWC) interventions have been reported to improve health outcomes for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. However, HWC also holds potential as an effective intervention within a biopsychosocial chronic pain management framework. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of HWC on individuals with chronic pain. Methods Participants were referred by their primary care provider or insurance company to a comprehensive telephonic 12-month pain management HWC program. Relationships between pain outcomes and physical and psychological factors were retrospectively analyzed. Mixed linear-effects modeling explored whether physical and psychological variables were associated with pain outcomes over time. Results Four hundred nineteen participants (female, 58.9%; mean age, 54.8) enrolled in the program and 181 completed the intervention. After 12 months in the program, statistically and clinically significant reductions were observed for pain intensity (Hedges' g = 1.00) and painrelated interference (Hedges' g = 1.13). Linear mixed-effects modeling indicated that improvements in physical functioning and psychological factors were associated with improvements in pain intensity. Discussion Our results provide a novel analysis on the effects of HWC on chronic pain and pain-related interference. HWC appears to be a promising intervention to improve pain-related outcomes in a population with chronic pain. Further investigation of HWC as an intervention for chronic pain is warranted.

Patient Engagement in Health Coaching and Self-Management Abilities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…Other published studies show that one-to-one phone-based health coaching using motivational interviewing (MI) skills, mindful listening, and goal setting support, has been associated with improved selfmanagement abilities, self-efficacy, health status, and medication adherence in a variety of chronic conditions including pain, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia and COPD. [37][38][39] The working alliance can predict patient adherence to treatment, in this case, coaching calls. 40,41 Learning engagement/communication skills like health coaching may be beneficial and synergistic to other interventions like pulmonary rehabilitation.…”

A mobile health + health coaching application for the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older adults: Results from a pilot randomized controlled study

“…Using a patient-oriented approach, health coaches help patients effect behavior change (e.g., alterations in diet and exercise) in order to improve their overall health and quality of life ( 10 ). One recent study that examined the effects of health coaching intervention in individuals with CNCP found clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain intensity and pain interference ( 11 ).…”

Randomized controlled trial protocol of health coaching for veterans with complex chronic pain

“…In a small pilot study where health coaches provided approximately 24 sessions to 9 patients with fibromyalgia, patients showed clinically significant improvements in health-related quality of life, pain interference, and pain severity [ 21 ]. In a larger trial, health coaching was shown to lead to reduced pain intensity and pain-related interference among patients with chronic pain [ 22 ]. However, there are still relatively few studies examining the impact of health coaching on pain-CMI, and these early studies have not used an active control condition to control for the non-specific factors, such as attention from a caring provider.…”

“…The preliminary empirical and theoretical support suggests the value in determining the efficacy of health coaching for pain-CMI [ 18 , 20 – 22 ]. The goal of the current manuscript is to present our protocol of a randomized controlled clinical trial for veterans with pain-CMI comparing remote-delivered health coaching to a remote-delivered active control, supportive psychotherapy, to reduce disability and determine mediators of treatment change.…”