EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE APPROACHES IN MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROMES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONVENTIONAL VS. COMPLEMENTARY INTERVENTIONS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Integrative Medicine, Chronic Pain Management, Conventional Interventions, Complementary Therapies, Comparative Efficacy
Abstract
Background: Chronic pain syndromes, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and chronic back pain, present significant challenges to healthcare systems globally, impacting millions and leading to substantial economic and quality-of-life burdens. This study evaluates the efficacy of integrative medicine approaches compared to conventional therapies in managing chronic pain.
Methods: A comparative study was conducted involving 120 adults aged 18-65 with chronic pain syndromes, including those with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and chronic back pain. Participants were assigned to either integrative therapy groups, receiving treatments therapeutic massage session, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, massage therapy, and mind-body techniques, or conventional therapy groups, receiving pharmacological and physical therapies. Pain levels, functional improvements, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects were measured using various scales and questionnaires.
Results: Integrative therapies resulted in significant reductions in pain levels, as indicated by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Participants demonstrated greater functional improvements, with higher scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Satisfaction scores were higher in the integrative therapy group, reflecting improved patient perceptions of care. Furthermore, integrative therapies were associated with fewer adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues and dependency, compared to conventional pharmacological treatments.
Conclusion: The study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of integrative medicine approaches in managing chronic pain syndromes. Integrative therapies offer substantial benefits in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, patient satisfaction, and reduced adverse effects. These findings suggest that combining integrative and conventional therapies could enhance overall treatment outcomes for chronic pain patients and inform future clinical practice.
References
2. Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Avins, A. L., Erro, J. H., Ichikawa, L., Barlow, W. E., ... & Deyo, R. A. (2009). A randomized trial comparing acupuncture, simulated acupuncture, and usual care for chronic low back pain. Archives of internal medicine, 169(9), 858-866.
3. Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Klose, P., & Dobos, G. (2016). Acupuncture and dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Pain, 20(3), 233-241.
4. Coulter, I. D., & Whedon, J. M. (2015). Integrative medicine: A model for improving the quality and efficiency of health care. Medical Care, 53(4), 315-321.
5. Nadeau, S. E., Wu, J. K., & Lawhern, R. A. (2021). Opioids and chronic pain: an analytic review of the clinical evidence. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2, 721357.
6. Van Middelkoop, M., Rubinstein, S. M., Kuijpers, T., Verhagen, A. P., Ostelo, R., Koes, B. W., & van Tulder, M. W. (2011). A systematic review on the effectiveness of physical and rehabilitation interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain. European spine journal, 20, 19-39.
7. Tsegaye, D., Yazew, A., Gedfew, M., Yilak, G., & Yalew, Z. M. (2023). Non-pharmacological pain management practice and associated factors among nurses working at comprehensive specialized hospitals. SAGE Open Nursing, 9, 23779608231158979.
8. Jensen, M. P., & Karoly, P. (2012). Self-report scales and procedures for assessing pain in adults. In Handbook of Pain Assessment (pp. 19-44). Guilford Press.
9. Miller, M., & Koren, G. (2014). Integrative medicine: Why is it so hard to define? Canadian Family Physician, 60(12), 1120-1122.
10. Noble, M., Treadwell, J. R., C. A. Treweek, & J. R. Watt. (2010). Long-term opioid management for chronic noncancer pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, CD006605.
11. Maizes, V., Rakel, D., & Niemiec, C. (2009). Integrative medicine and patient-centered care. Explore, 5(5), 277-289.
12. Raja, S. N., Carr, D. B., Cohen, M., & Finnerup, N. B. (2020). The revised taxonomy of pain and its management. Pain, 161(4), 803-810.
13. Cramer, H., et al. (2013). Acupuncture and dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13(1), 315.
14. Nielsen, A., & Wieland, L. S. (2019). Cochrane reviews on acupuncture therapy for pain: a snapshot of the current evidence. Explore, 15(6), 434-439.
15. Gatchel, R. J., et al. (2007). Interdisciplinary chronic pain management: past, present, and future. Psychological Bulletin, 133(4), 581-616.
16. Miller, M., et al. (2018). The safety of herbal medicine use in the management of chronic pain: A review of the literature. Journal of Pain Research, 11, 1123-1132.
17. Vickers, A. J., et al. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Archives of Internal Medicine, 168(3), 268-274.
18. Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., &
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Muhammad Umar
Department of Neurosurgery, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Dr. Tatheer Syed
BDS, MSPH, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan
Dr. Farwa Hussain
Lady Medical Officer, Department of Orthopedic, BMCH Quetta, Pakistan
Dr. Dawood Khan
Disease Surveillance Officer, World Health Organization, Pakistan
Dr. Aeliya Batool
Department of Pharmacology, Karachi Medical and Dental College, KMU, Pakistan
Rabia Taj
Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, Pakistan
Nabeerah Sheikh
Research Assistant, Department of Medical Technology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan