Individually tailored treatment targeting motor behavior, cognition, and disability: 2 experimental single-case studies of patients with recurrent and persistent musculoskeletal pain in primary health care.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This article introduces an individually tailored intervention targeting motor behavior, cognition, and disability in patients managed by physical therapists in primary health care. Effects on self-rated disability, pain intensity, and pain control are described.

SUBJECTS

Two women with recurrent or persistent disabling musculoskeletal pain were selected.

METHODS

Two experimental single-subject A(1)-B-C-A(2) studies with multiple baselines across situations were used. Principal outcome data were collected daily with patient-specific continuous measures for 3 weeks before intervention, continuously during intervention, and for 2 weeks during each of the 1-, 4-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up examinations.

RESULTS

Disability and pain intensity decreased, and pain control increased in both subjects. The results were maintained at the follow-up examinations.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Positive outcomes of the intervention were reported from 2 subjects with recurrent and persistent disabling pain. Procedures for systematic tailoring of treatment to behavioral goals and individual patient characteristics are available as a result of the successful application. The results need to be replicated in future clinical controlled group studies.