Solution-Focused Chronic Pain Self-Management Education: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Roughly one out of every three adults in the U.S. today has chronic pain. For this reason, the U.S. government recently issued a National Pain Strategy that advocates, among other things, the education of patients in proactive selfmanagement techniques. To evaluate the efficacy of Solution-Focused Chronic Pain Management (SFCPM)—a new outpatient psychoeducational program based on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)—a pilot study was conducted in Longmont, Colorado. Five self-report assessments were administered. Due to the small sample size (n = 12), only percent changes from baseline to follow-up were calculated. Improvements were noted in quality of life (41.4%), pain self-efficacy (22%), hope (16%), mental well-being (9.3%), and problem disengagement (12.3%). Initial results suggest that more rigorous investigation may be warranted. The solution-focused model offers a personalized, empowering alternative to more problem-focused approaches. Instead of fixating on what’s wrong, participants focus on what’s right with their bodies, minds, and lives—despite chronic pain.