Name:
Matagne Heutink
Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science & Sports
Section Neuromuscular diseases
Function:
PhD-student
E-mail: M.Heutink(at)dehoogstraat.nl
Tel: +31 30-2561364
Supervisor:
Prof. Dr. E. Lindeman, Dr. M.W.M. Post
Title research:
Evaluation of a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural programme for coping with
chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.
Summary research:
Background: Most persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from chronic pain. Particularly in regards to neuropathic SCI pain (NSCIP), there are no medical treatments that provide satisfactory pain relief in most people.
Objective: To evaluate a group treatment programme to stimulate effective coping with chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury.
Study design: A multicentre RCT will be conducted to evaluate the effects of the multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural programme for coping with CNSCIP in four Dutch rehabilitation centres. Within each participating rehabilitation centre, participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention group or to the waiting list control group. Measurements will be performed in both groups before starting the programme or entering the control group, at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. The control group will be invited for the program after the 6 month follow-up.
Intervention: This programme consists of ten 3-hour sessions over a 10-week period and a comeback session three weeks later. Each meeting will be supervised by a psychologist and physical therapist from the local centre. The programme comprises educational, cognitive, and behavioural elements targeted at coping with chronic NSCIP.