Quality of life following treatment: a preliminary study of in- and outpatients with chronic pain.

R. C. Tait, P. N. Duckro, R. B. Margolis, R. Wiener

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using a combination of standardized and Likert-type measures of health, disability, and psychological adjustment, this study compared the quality of life reported by thirty-seven inpatients and thirty-six outpatients approximately eight months after completing treatment. While both patient groups reported treatment-related changes, inpatients were significantly more dysfunctional than outpatients both before and after treatment. The pattern of perceived improvement among inpatients reflected particular changes in narcotic use and in "up" time. For outpatients, the pattern of change pointed to increased periods of activity. The data are interpreted to reflect the need for treatments that are tailored to meet the differing levels of dysfunction of patients who present with chronic pain syndromes. Methodological problems of this and other clinical studies that compare treatment effects on patients demonstrating different levels of dysfunction are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)271-282
Number of pages12
JournalInternational journal of psychiatry in medicine
Volume18
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1988
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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