Occupational Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multidisciplinary Approach in a Pain Relief Unit of a General Hospital

Report of a focus group survey of current practice in the therapeutic treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in the United Kingdom

“…Implementations of coping strategies taught to patients are reinforced during participation in new hobbies or sporting activities. Occupational therapy intervention also includes the exploration of ergonomic or adaptive equipment to aid function (Yanai and Samuel 2004). Physical exercise intervention used by the participants of this study included a walking protocol to improve general cardiovascular functioning, and participation in circuit training and fitness groups, increasing the total daily activity time, which may or may not be specific to the impaired extremity.…”

“…Commonly used methods include compression gloves, Lycra garments and wraps, with 41 participants in this study reporting their use throughout all stages of the disease. Compression gloves traditionally used in the treatment of burns patients provide protection from allodynia and control of oedema (Yanai and Samuel 2004). Many patients, however, may not be able to tolerate the level of compression afforded by gloves and may struggle to put the glove on.…”

“…Within the discussion groups, MVF appeared to be a treatment intervention that was implemented with success amongst some participants and was a new concept amongst others. Moseley (2004) hypothesised that 'preceding mirror therapy with activation the literature of splints being used to maintain a functional position of the hand in a non-functional limb in the chronic stages of CRPS (Yanai and Samuel 2004). Splintage was widely used as a treatment modality by the focus group participants (n=35), though it may be worth noting that no discussion of splintage took place within one of the five groups), with reference to the importance of experienced therapists being involved in the continued assessment for and application of splints.…”