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. 2014 Sep-Oct;8(5):338-44.
doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000055.

The feasibility and acceptability of groups for pain management in methadone maintenance treatment

Declan T Barry  1 , Jonathan D Savant, Mark Beitel, Christopher J Cutter, Richard S Schottenfeld, Robert D Kerns, Brent A Moore, Lindsay Oberleitner, Michelle T Joy, Nina Keneally, Christopher Liong, Kathleen M Carroll
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The feasibility and acceptability of groups for pain management in methadone maintenance treatment

Declan T Barry et al. J Addict Med. 2014 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: Effective and safe pain management interventions in methadone maintenance treatment are needed.

Methods: We examined the feasibility (ie, single-session attendance) and acceptability (ie, patient satisfaction and booster session attendance) of cognitive-behavioral therapy-informed groups for pain management-Coping With Pain, Relaxation Training, Group Singing, and Mindful Walking. Pre- and postsession measures were collected.

Results: A total of 349 (out of a census of approximately 800) methadone-maintained patients attended at least 1 of the groups. Group satisfaction was high. Booster session attendance was numerically lower in Mindful Walking (14%) than in the other groups (at least 40%). Repeat attendance at Coping With Pain was associated with reduced characteristic pain intensity and depression, whereas repeat attendance at Relaxation Training was associated with decreased anxiety.

Conclusions: Coping With Pain, Relaxation Training, and Group Singing are transportable, affordable, adaptable, and tolerated well by patients with pain and show promise as components of a multimodal pain management approach in methadone maintenance treatment.

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References

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