Effectiveness of perioperative pain science education on pain, psychological factors and physical functioning: A systematic review. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van der Gucht, Elien; Dams, Lore; Haenen, Vincent; Godderis, Lode; Morlion, Bart; Bernar, Koen; Evenepoel, Margaux; De Vrieze, Tessa; Vandendriessche, Thomas; Asnong, Anne; Geraerts, Inge; Devoogdt, Nele; De Groef, An; Meeus, Mira
• Is Part Of: Clinical rehabilitation. Volume 35:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1364
• Page End: 1382
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Pain science education -- perioperative -- surgery -- pain -- systematic review; Medical rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1177/02692155211006865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2155

Abstract

Objective: To synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness of pain science education on pain, psychological factors and physical functioning in adults who underwent surgery. Data sources: A systematic literature search of English articles using PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library. Review methods: The search strategy was constructed as follows: (((pain) AND (education)) OR (pain education)) AND (surgery). Only controlled quantitative studies in adults reporting outcome(s) on pain, psychological factors and/or physical functioning were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tools. P -values and corresponding effect sizes for interaction-effect (time × group) portrayed the difference in change over time between groups were of interest. The last search was conducted on February 28, 2021. Results: Nine papers ( n = 1078) were deemed eligible for this review. Two randomized controlled trials showed significant interaction effects. Breast cancer patients who had received one preoperative pain science education session showed a significant increase in postoperative pain compared to controls ( P -value = 0.0394). Furthermore, p sychological factors (pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia) decreased in participants who had received pain science education before total knee arthroplasty, while this was not the case in the control group ( P -value < 0.001, ƞ2p:0.11). Conclusions: Overall, pain science education did not result in any significant postoperative effects on pain, psychological factors and/or physical functioning compared to controls. There is currently no strong evidence for the implementation of pain science education in the perioperative period. Registration number: PROSPERO: ID 161267, registration number CRD42020161267