[The Dachau multidisciplinary treatment program for chronic pain. Efficacy data of a diagnosis-independent multidisciplinary treatment program for back pain and other types of chronic pain]

Abstract

Background: Data on the efficacy of the Dachau multidisciplinary treatment program for chronic pain is presented. The treatment is administered in a primary care day clinic and the treatment period is 5 weeks plus 5 booster days 6 months later. The program is characterized by high treatment intensity (122.5 h over 5 weeks) and is aimed at patients where outpatient pain therapy proved to be insufficient. The treatment plan is applicable to different types of chronic pain and the main treatment objective is functional restoration.

Methods: Outcome criteria were pain intensity, disability, vitality, depression, catastrophizing, and employment status. The data was assessed at the beginning of treatment, after 5 weeks and 6 months after therapy. The patient population consisted of 189 chronic pain patients.

Results: All outcome criteria showed a significant and stable improvement over 6 months. Effect sizes demonstrated medium and high treatment effects. The back to work rate was 63% at 6 months follow-up.

Discussion: The Dachau multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain achieved significant improvements which remained stable for 6 months after treatment.