Authors (including presenting author) :
Cheng HLR(1), Lo CL(1), Leung YY(2), Tsang WY(3), Tse CL(4), Sze MLA(5)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Clinical Psychology, Princess Margaret Hospital
(2) Department of Anaesthesia and Operating Theatre Services, Princess Margaret Hospital
(3) Pain Management, Caritas Medical Centre, Kowloon West Cluster
(4) Operating Theatre and Theatre Service Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital
(5) Department of Clinical Psychology, Kowloon West Cluster
Keyword 1: :
Multidiciplinary Chronic Pain Service
Keyword 2: :
Psychological resilience
Introduction :
Patients with chronic pain face difficulties that extend beyond physical discomfort and limitation, and psychosocial and emotional challenges impairing their quality of life. In 2021, a multidisciplinary pain program was launched, integrating expertise of pain specialists, pain nurses, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, to enhance patients’ self-management skills. The psychological component focused on cognitive behavioural techniques to address maladaptive pain-related thoughts, promote acceptance, and build emotional regulation skills. The program offered 7-session medium-intensity group or 13-session high-intensity group, based on patients' needs and readiness.
Objectives :
To reduce patients' maladaptive thoughts related to chronic pain and improve mental wellbeing
Methodology :
Participants were adults with chronic pain lasting more than 6 months and without recent operation or intervention. Outcomes were measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Data were collected at three time points: pre-group (T1), post-group (T2), and three-month follow-up (T3). One-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed for data analysis.
Result & Outcome :
From October 2021 to October 2025, 98 patients (22 male, 76 female) participated in the pain group, with 76 completing all questionnaires. Statistically significant reductions were observed in PCS score, F(2, 76) = 27.05, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.27. Post-hoc Bonferroni analyses revealed significantly lower PCS score in T2 (M = 26.07, SD = 13.04, p < .001), and T3 (M = 25.84, SD = 12.13, p < .001) compared to T1 (M = 33.08, SD = 12.64). Patient’s self-efficacy significantly increased, F(2, 76) = 23.65, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.240. Post-hoc Bonferroni analyses indicated higher PSEQ score in T2 (M = 34.28, SD = 10.58, p < .001), and T3 (M = 31.55, SD = 11.18, p < .001) than T1 (M = 26.36, SD = 11.36). Patients’ DASS scores significantly decreased, F(2, 76) = 8.27, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.10. Post-hoc Bonferroni analyses indicated lower DASS scores at T2 (M = 44.39, SD = 26.35, p < .001), and T3 (M = 46.59, SD = 26.05, p = .027) compared to T1 (M = 53.82, SD = 28.68). Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated the multidisciplinary pain group effectively reduced patients’ catastrophic thinking, enhanced self-efficacy, and promoted mental well-being. These positive outcomes sustained at 3-months follow-up, suggesting potentially long-lasting benefits.
