AB225. SOH25_AB_070. Prehabilitation in chronic pain: facilitators and barriers

Background: Prehabilitation in chronic pain treatment is an un-explored concept. The goal of the developed Pain Excellence Centre Therapeutic Walk (prehabilitation) is to explore the biopsychosocial (BPS) model, importance of accurate biological diagnosis of pain sources, treat patients holistically and to utilise the concept of prehabilitation. Finding aspects of the BPS model that need addressing and encourage prehabilitation, which is in itself a brief intervention, can promote greater treatment longevity from the interventions provided for the chronic pain patient. If chronic pain patients engage in prehabilitation prior to injection this may promote better outcomes as in others of medical practice. In this study we explore the facilitators and barriers to prehabilitation in the chronic pain patient.

Methods: Patient Self Reporting questionnaire and retrospective data analysis.

Results: Over the course of a six-month period of therapeutic walks starting 01/10/2023 the total number of patients suitable for the therapeutic walk (new patients) was n=65. Twenty-two were male (34%) and 43 female (66%). The following were the facilitators and barriers we found to prehabilitation. Facilitators: motivation; not being involved with other pain management services; normal cognitive function; absence of language barriers; open communication; absence of profound co-morbidities; hope; skilled practitioners; and teamwork. Barriers: decreased cognitive function; language barriers; injustice coping; feelings of no hope; poor therapeutic alliance; familial stressors; financial stressors; moderate-severe mental health issues.

Conclusions: Utilising the therapeutic walk to promote prehabiliation in chronic pain patients is a novel approach and is linked with promoting optimal outcomes for the patient.

Keywords: Biopsychosocial model (BPS model); brief intervention; chronic pain; prehabilitation; therapeutic walk