Learning to cope with pain eased osteoarthritis pain and helped people cope better

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   These were 1,195 adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis in ten studies. Average ages by study were about 59 to 69, and between 38% and 82% of people in each group were women.

2. 02

   What they did

   People learned ways to cope with pain by changing how they think, feel and act about it. Trained staff mostly ran it, in person, by phone or online, usually over 8 to 12 weeks. The other group in each study did not get it, and in some studies everyone also got the same exercise guidance.

3. 03

   What happened

   Compared with the other groups, people had a little less pain and a little better physical function. They also tried coping steps more often and felt more sure they could manage their arthritis. Two standard pain and function questionnaires showed no clear difference, and adding exercise did not add benefit.

What the review found

1. HelpedOther outcomes

   In 10 studies, people who learned pain coping skills had a little less pain than the other groups.

   • Action: Challenge unhelpful thoughtstested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 10 studies with 1,195 people · vs the other groups, some also doing exercise · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. HelpedOther outcomes

   In 10 studies, people who learned pain coping skills moved a little better than the other groups.

   • Action: Challenge unhelpful thoughtstested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 10 studies with 1,195 people · vs the other groups, some also doing exercise · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

3. HelpedGoals

   In eight studies, people who learned pain coping skills tried coping steps more often than the other groups did.

   • Action: Challenge unhelpful thoughtstested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 8 studies with 1,014 people · vs the other groups, some also doing exercise · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

4. HelpedMotivation

   In eight studies, people who learned pain coping skills felt more sure of managing their arthritis than the other groups.

   • Action: Challenge unhelpful thoughtstested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 8 studies with 1,069 people · vs the other groups, some also doing exercise · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source