Social Groups for Pain - A randomised controlled trial of group social education, and group facilitation of meaningful social interaction in people with chronic pain.

INTERVENTION: This is a group intervention (4‐6 participants). There are 5‐6 2h sessions, on a weekly basis. In sessions 1 and 2 there is education in the importance of social connection and meaningful activity and then the exploration of personally meaningful social connection and activity. The remaining sessions are based around experimentation and engagement with these people and activities with identification of barriers and support to negotiate these challenges. There is also a session on the effect of music on mood modulation and how this can help to enable optimal behaviour in social situations. The sessions will be conducted in person at a chronic pain clinic associated with a large teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Sessions will be conducted in person, however there is the option of telehealth (video) sessions if needed. Attendance records will be kept for each session, including type of interaction (telehealth or in‐person) CONDITION: Anaesthesiology ‐ Pain management Chronic pain;Social isolation;Anxiety;Depression; ; Chronic pain ; Social isolation ; Anxiety ; Depression Physical Medicine / Rehabilitation ‐ Other physical medicine / rehabilitation PRIMARY OUTCOME: SEMSI (Self Efficacy in Managing Social Identities)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] DASS21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoints) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] PCS (Patient Catastrophising Scale)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] SECONDARY OUTCOME: (Primary outcome) ‐ BPI (Brief Pain Inventory)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] (Primary outcome) ‐ healthcare utilisation ; This is measured by the number of presentations general practitioner, specialist, allied health, emergency, hospital admissions and number of diagnostic tests in last 3 months (self‐reported)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] (Primary outcome) ‐ oral morphine equivalent daily dose ; Self‐reported opioid use converted to oral morphine equivalent daily dose via online calculator (available from Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists http://www.opioidcalculator.com.au/opioidsource.html)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] (Primary outcome) ‐ patient perception of change ; Measured by response to the following questions: ; Compared with before treatment how would you describe yourself overall ‐ 7 point likert scale (very much worse to very much better) ; Compared with before treatment how would you describe your physical ability ‐ 7 point likert scale (very much worse to very much better)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] (Primary outcome) ‐ PSEQ (Patient Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire)[Beginning and end of 6‐week course (primary timepoint) and then 6 and 12 weeks afterwards] There would also be a qualitative, focus group component with questions about the acceptability and effectiveness of the program. Transcripts would be analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes in the participants’ experiences. ; This will be a composite outcome. Merged as part of the overall qualitative experience of the study. [At 2‐26 weeks following completion of the group.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Chronic pain patients attending the Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia Able to attend in person, weekly for 5‐6 weeks Deemed appropriate and motivated for the course by Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre allied health