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A randomised controlled pilot trial of a guided self-help intervention to manage Chronic Orofacial Pain

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • Joanna Goldthorpe
  • Karina Lovell
  • Sarah Peters
  • Linda McGowan
  • Imola Nemeth
  • Vishal R. Aggarwal
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>31/12/2017
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache
Issue number1
Volume31
Number of pages11
Pages (from-to)61-71
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Background: A growing evidence-base recognizes the potential effectiveness of psychological interventions for Chronic Orofacial Pain. This study aimed to conduct a pilot trial to test the feasibility of a guided self-help intervention. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the intervention with treatment as usual. 37 patients with chronic orofacial pain were randomized into the intervention arm (n=19) and treatment as usual (control arm) (n=18). Validated outcome measures were used to measure the potential effectiveness of the intervention over a number of domains: physical and mental functioning (SF36); anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)); pain intensity and interference with life (Brief Pain Inventory); disability (Manchester Orofacial Pain Disability Scale and illness behavior (Illness Perceptions Questionnaire). Bootstrap confidence intervals were computed for the treatment effect (ES) post treatment and at 3 months follow-up and adjusted for baseline values of the outcome measure using analysis of covariance. Results: At 3 month follow-up, 11 participants in the intervention arm and seven in the control arm failed to complete outcome measures. The intervention was acceptable and could be feasibly delivered face to face or over the telephone. Although the pilot trial was not powered to draw conclusions about the effectiveness it showed significant (p<.05) effects of the intervention on physical and mental functioning and treatment control. Conclusion: The intervention was acceptable to patients and allowed them to better understand and self-manage chronic orofacial pain. It showed potential effectiveness on outcome domains related to functioning and illness perception. Further research is needed to understand the cost-effectiveness of the intervention for chronic orofacial pain.