Predictors of multidisciplinary treatment outcome in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

No strong predictors of treatment outcome were found other than the baseline scores of the respective outcome variables. More disabled patients and patients with more pain benefitted more from the rehabilitation program. Other predictors improved the prediction models slightly. Implications for Rehabilitation It remains challenging to correctly predict the outcome of treatment from patients' baseline sociodemographic and psychological characteristics; predictors other than baseline scores of the outcome variables are only slightly associated with treatment outcome. Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor physical functioning or mental health benefit most from pain rehabilitation. Older patients benefit less from a pain rehabilitation program than younger patients in terms of physical functioning. Pain reduction during a pain rehabilitation program is greatest in patients with high pain intensity who are not at work at the start of the rehabilitation program. Coping style influences the outcome of rehabilitation of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.