Perceived health status in chronic pain patients: a cognitive behavioural therapy intervention

Perceived Health Status (PHS) describes the overall health status, self-perception, self-assessed physical condition and self-rated wellbeing of an individual. A person with slightest of problems may have very poor Perceived Health Status, while a person with severe problems may have a fairly healthy perception about his health. Many researchers have proved that can be modified drastically, depending on the life situations and health. The adverse life and health conditions affect PHS negatively. Objectives- This study investigates how patients’ Perceived Health Status changes with chronic pain, assesses the improvement in the Perceived Health Status in patients suffering from various conditions, and impact of intervention through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and comparing the perception of patients before and after providing cognitive behavioural therapy.  Research Design- In this study, Randomized Control-Group Pretest –Posttest Design was used that measured Perceived Health Status of the subjects. Sample- For the present study, 80 patients, 19- 65 years of age (Early adulthood- 19- 34 years, Middle adulthood- 35- 65 years), suffering from chronic pain, visiting hospitals and pain clinics for the treatment, were included. The sample with extreme health problems and their impact on cognition were excluded from the study.  Sampling Method- The snow ball sampling method was used to reach the patients and the references given by the patients, doctors and care takers were explored to be included as the subjects.  Statistical Analysis- Mean, SD, Z- test and ANOVA was calculated using the statistical package SPSS 21. Results- Cognitive behavioural therapy was considered significantly impactful on the patients with chronic pain. Although, the significant impact could not be studied on the overall PHS but positive impact of CBT was studied on the various domains of PHS. It is the need to include CBT in general pain management so as to help the patients to cope with pain and enhance their Perceived Health Status.