Taking charge, choosing a new direction: A service evaluation of Alexander Technique lessons for pain clinic patients: An approach to pain management

McClean, Stuart; Wye, L

Abstract

Background and Study Aims: Recent evidence from a high quality clinical trial has demonstrated the therapeutic value and effectiveness of Alexander Technique (AT) lessons for chronic back pain (Little et al. 2008), but little is known about the use of Alexander Technique lessons in NHS outpatient pain clinics. The STAT (Society of Teachers of Alexander Technique) approach to AT is an educational and taught approach, where once learned, the service user can apply it in their daily activities, emphasising self-management. The aim of this exploratory mixed methods service evaluation was to explore the role, acceptability and impact of an Alexander Technique service at a hospital out-patient Pain Management Clinic, including service users’ (n=43) experiences of the service and the perceived benefits to the NHS.

Methods: Mixed methods were used in the study. To capture changes in health, wellbeing, quality of life status and resource use amongst service users, we administered four validated, widely used questionnaires: the Brief Pain Inventory, the EQ-5D, MYMOP and the Client Service Resource Inventory at three time points. Two independent statisticians analysed the data. For each outcome measure, we calculated mean values at each time point and also the mean change between each pair of time points (baseline and 6 weeks, baseline and 3 months, 6 weeks and 3 months). For all mean values we calculated the associated 95% confidence interval (CI). We also carried out 27 semi-structured telephone interviews with patients, 3 months from baseline. The qualitative data was analysed using a grounded thematic approach.

Results: The findings suggest that the AT teaching service is feasible, acceptable, and beneficial (in terms of improving service users quality of life and improving patient’s management of pain). Service users appeared to reduce their pain related NHS costs by half. Changes were found in how service users managed their pain, for example more than half stopped or reduced their medication, and the impact that the pain had on their daily life. This also led to some behavior change and changes to awareness and self-knowledge from the service users.

Conclusions: Over time participants’ relationship to their pain may change as a result of Alexander Technique lessons, which may lead to reductions in medication use and other NHS pain related costs.

Citation

McClean, S., & Wye, L. (2013, April). Taking charge, choosing a new direction: A service evaluation of Alexander Technique lessons for pain clinic patients: An approach to pain management. Paper presented at Long term conditions: developing global, integrative and sustainable solutions, London

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Long term conditions: developing global, integrative and sustainable solutions
• Conference Location: London
• Start Date: Apr 11, 2013
• End Date: Apr 13, 2013
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2013
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: service evaluation, mixed methods, pain management, complementary health
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/933250
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Long-term conditions: developing global, integrative and sustainable solutions