Do participants with chronic pain have improved self-efficacy after completing the MY-Skills intervention?

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore if participants with chronic pain have improved self-efficacy in performing daily activities and managing pain symptoms after completing the Merging Yoga and self-management Skills program (MY-Skills). Method: Care dyads, comprised of caregivers and care-recipients with chronic pain were recruited to complete the 8-week MY-Skills intervention. Twice each week, participants engaged in a one-hour group self-management course followed by a one-hour group yoga session developed for care dyads with chronic pain. Self-efficacy outcomes were collected using the Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (pain management, physical function, coping with symptoms); the PROMIS® Self-Efficacy for Managing Daily Activities Short Form 4a; and the PROMIS Self-Efficacy for Managing Symptoms Short Form 4a. Data for all participants were analyzed using a paired t-test. A post hoc exploratory analysis of separate caregiver and care-recipient outcomes was conducted using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: Eight participants completed the study (50.23±14.77 avg. age, 77% female, 69% with pain for > 10 years). The participants reported increased self-efficacy across all measures and domains, with significant improvement found for self-efficacy for physical function (38.97±19.45 vs. 59.10±18.60, p = .004). The post hoc exploratory analysis showed increased self-efficacy in all caregiver outcomes. Care-recipients reported increased self-efficacy in all areas except pain management, which significantly decreased. Conclusion: MY-Skills improved self-efficacy to varying degrees for participants in aggregate. Improvements in self-efficacy related to physical function demonstrated that MY-Skills increased participants' confidence in performing everyday occupations such as running errands, doing chores, working, and socializing. Interventions that improve self-efficacy, like MY-Skills, may help people with chronic pain gain function, problem-solving, and coping skills to reclaim a sense of control and enhance quality of life.