Survey of CAM usage in a Chronic Pain population utilizing a novel instrument

Background: More than 20% of adults will eventually experience chronic pain.  Pain-related disorders are also the most commonly reported conditions for which patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).  Chronic pain is difficult to manage and conventional medical treatment is often associated with poor outcomes. While CAM may aid in pain relief, little is known about the correlates and perceived efficacy of CAM in adults suffering chronic pain, including the relation of CAM use to stages of change. In this preliminary survey study of WV pain patients, we examined the prevalence, correlates, and perceived effectiveness of CAM usage using a newly designed instrument.

Methods: A survey assessing self-reported use and efficacy of CAM, pain intensity, and stages of change was administered to a WV pain clinic population. Reliability and validity of the survey components were assessed using Cronbach’s alphas and structural equation modeling. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent association of CAM use to stage of change and to specific demographic, lifestyle, health-related factors. 

Results: Survey response rates were high, and analyses demonstrated good reliability and validity for the survey component, including the stages of change and pain index constructs. CAM usage was common in this population, and significantly associated with specific stages of change and with specific population characteristics.

Conclusions: CAM use and correlates in pain patients, including stages of change, can be reliably measured using a newly developed instrument. Based on findings of this pilot study, a state-wide survey study of pain clinics in WV is planned.