Chronic pain self-management in elderly Australians

INTERVENTION: Group‐based cognitive‐behavioural pain self‐management (2‐hours per session) for 4 weeks (16 hours in total) versus an attention‐control and exercise condition (same total time as treatment), CONDITION: Chronic non‐malignant pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: Pain‐related disability SECONDARY OUTCOME: Pain‐related use of health services Quality of life INCLUSION CRITERIA: (i) Able to attend the clinic twice‐weekly for 4‐weeks, (ii) history of persisting, non‐cancer pain for more than 6‐months, (iii) ability to read and speak adequate English, and to complete questionnaires, (iv) score of 24 or greater in Mini Mental State Examination, (v) medical clearance by their doctors for participation in a light exercise and stretch program and (vi) agreement to accept randomisation to one of the intervention groups after a full explanation of the project.And meet at least one of the following criteria: (i) Widespread reduction in normal activities due to pain and/or (ii) distressed mood secondary to pain‐related problems.