Abstract

The current study explored how the effects of an empirically supported, patient pain education intervention translated into multimedia (such as a DVD, a booklet, or both) in a randomized control trial. A sample of 76 Veterans who were elected to complete the pre-and post-intervention measures were evaluated. The primary outcome analysis was a 3x2 Repeated Measures (RM) Multivariate Analyses of Variance (MANOVA), with “Intervention Arm” as the between-subjects factor and “Time” as the withinsubjects factor. A significant univariate main effect was obtained for the primary measures of pain intensity (now), but the scores worsened as opposed to improving. There was no significant univariate main effect for the primary measures of readiness to adopt self-management approach. Significant univariate main effects were also obtained for the secondary measures of factual knowledge (decreased) and in depression scores (increased), which indicate a significant deterioration in those areas. There was no significant univariate main effect obtained for the secondary measures of pain knowledge, pain experience, and attitudes or beliefs about pain. The current study underlines the potential negative aspects to using multimedia to replace personal interaction from providers.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Veterans; Pain education; Multimedia; Psychoeducation