Læknablaðið - Jan 2020, Page 17

Introduction: There is limited research on the long-term benefits
of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation, even though short-term
benefits have been well documented. The present study evaluated
the effects of an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program with a
three-year follow-up. A special emphasis was placed on economic
evaluation of the treatment from a societal perspective.
Material and methods: The study was conducted at the chronic
pain unit of the Reykjalundur rehabilitation center. Every fifth patient
referred to the Reykjalundur Rehabiliation Center pain clinic was
randomized to participate in this study. Data was collected over the
course of 4,5 years with a three years follow-up. Finally, economic
evaluation was conducted at the end of the research.
Results: After treatment patients experienced less pain, fear and
avoidance, anxiety and depression symptoms and improved social
functioning. Work ability increased from 36% to 47% at the end of
rehabilitation and continued to rise to 57% at three year follow-up.
Economic evaluation from a societal perspective showed that cost
associated with the rehabilitation had leveled out in three years and
continued throughout life.
Conclusion: The results indicate that interdisciplinary rehabil-
itation for chronic pain has a positive impact on function and the
experience of pain as well as positive psychosocial effect. An
economic evaluation of the treatment shows that the rehabilitation
is very cost effective and that each Icelandic krona (IKR) spent is
returned eightfold back to society.
Economic evaluation of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation
One IKR for rehabilitation gives eight IKR back to society
ENGLISH SUMMARY
1Reykjalundur Rehabilitation Center, 2Directorate of Health, 3Reykjavik University, School of Business, PhD Program in Psychology.
Correspondence: Magnús Ólason, olasonmagnus@gmail.com
Keywords: Pain management, chronic musculoskeletal pain, long-term follow-up, economic evaluation of pain rehabilitation.
Magnús Ólason1
Héðinn Jónsson2
Rúnar H. Andrason1
Inga H. Jónsdóttir1
Hlín Kristbergsdóttir3
LÆKNAblaðið 2020/106 17
R A N N S Ó K N
DOI: 10.17992/lbl.2020.01.343