Impact of group psychological intervention on conventional radiofrequency tributary patients

Abstract

Introduction: Conventional radiofrequency (RF) is one of the most widely used invasive techniques for treating various pain syndromes. However, some studies reflect the need for a more comprehensive approach to achieve overall patient recovery. In the field of psychology, multi-component treatments, that integrate different techniques to cover the entire pain experience, have been proposed. This project submits a group psychological intervention, of cognitive-behavioral nature, directed to patients with lumbar pathology, candidates for conventional RF, in orden to increase the therapeutic benefit of this technique. Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed intervention by assessing the variables addressed in it. Material and method: This is a quasi-experimental design, with a control group, with a final sample of 30 patients. The two groups were formed by self-selection. After the baseline evaluation, the experimental group was assigned a schedule of sessions. However, the control group was informed that a new psychometric evaluation would be carried out two months after the first one, coinciding with the end of the psychological intervention and the second evaluation of the experimental group. One month after the radio frequency, both groups were re-evaluated. Results: Pain intensity in both groups increased within 2 months of being proposed for radiofrequency and decreased significantly after 1 month of it. Both the importance of pain and the level of disability decreased significantly in the group participating in the intervention after the intervention and after the RF. However, in the control group there was no such decrease even after RF. The percentage of quality of life dimensions increased in the patients of the experimental group, being in all cases higher after RF than in the baseline measurement. This is not the case in the control group, where a significant decrease is observed, up to three times in the case of "physical role" or relative maintenance of some scores. Moreover, except in general health, vitality and mental health, in the rest of the dimensions of the questionnaire the score obtained after RF is lower than the baseline. The experimental group reflected a higher level of active coping after psychological intervention and after RF. In addition, the scores of this group in Resilience remained stable during the assessment period. Conclusions: Patients who participated in the psychological intervention prior to the RF obtained higher therapeutic benefit. The effectiveness of RF in reducing pain intensity has been proven, but it does not appear to improve the level of disability or quality of life compared to baseline measurement. This shows the need to create valid and real protocols of multidisciplinary intervention for this pathology.