Complex regional pain syndrome: Facilitating the use of self-management strategies

Abstract

Aims: While several interventions are used to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), patient adherence to recommended care including self-management is challenging. To understand the barriers and facilitators to using self-management strategies among CRPS patients; to explore educational tools used to enable self-management; and to develop knowledge translation interventions to address potential barriers using intervention mapping. Methods: Semi-structured interviews of patients were conducted to identify the determinants of self-management. Findings informed the development of a tailored theory-based intervention to increase adherence. Result: Theoretical domains identified were: Social influence, Beliefs about capabilities, Beliefs about consequences, Environmental context and resources. Various educational tools were provided by treating clinicians. Interventions should consider increasing knowledge about treatment outcomes, identifying health antecedents and promoting self-monitoring. Conclusion: Online educational interventions focusing on patient advice, self-monitoring, and techniques to increase the quality of the clinician-patient relationship may successfully address patient barriers to using self-management strategies.