Sex and Age Group Focus on Outcomes after Multimodal Rehabilitation for Patients with Chronic Pain in Northern Sweden.

Abstract

To investigate the outcomes of a multimodal rehabilitation programme (MMRP) regarding pain intensity, emotional functioning, activity and physical functioning, social response, and health, with regard to sex and age. This retrospective longitudinal study was based on data from patients at 2 specialist pain clinics in northern Sweden immediately after MMRP (short-term) and at 1-year follow-up (long-term). Data from 439 patients were analysed according to sex and to age groups 18-30, 31-45 and 46-65 years. The men improved with larger effect sizes (ESs) than women immediately after MMRP. The youngest age group showed improvements with greater ESs compared with the older age groups, both in the short and long term. Social support decreased for both women and men and in all 3 age groups in the long term. Improvements in both the short and long term were found in pain intensity, emotional functioning, and activity and physical functioning, in both women and men, as well as the different age groups. Both women and men with chronic pain, and from all of the different age groups, benefitted from MRRP. Since improvements for men were not sustained over time, they may need further support after the programme.