Abstract

Purpose
Data gathered from routine clinical settings is complementary to evidence garnered from controlled efficacy trials. This paper presents individual-level analysis of changes in a group of patients discharged from psychological therapy within an outpatient pain service. The service had recently shifted from a traditional cognitive-behavioural approach to one underpinned by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Design/methodology/approach
Reliable and clinically significant change methodology was applied to CORE-10 outcomes for 27 patients discharged during 2013-14. Outcomes were compared to 2012-13. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was administered and functional outcomes were collated.

Findings
Outcomes were not adversely affected by the shift in service focus as clients demonstrating reliably improvement increased from 2012-13; 81% reliably improved, 44% made a clinically significant improvement. Increases in returning to work/unpaid activities at post-treatment were noted. The service met a number of NICE quality standards concerning the “relational” aspects of care.

Research limitations/implications
Clinically effectiveness is evaluated through one outcome measure thereby limiting conclusions. The longer term effectiveness of the service remains unclear. Narrow demographic information limits an assessment of any systematic biases in findings. Little is known about treatment drop-outs.

Practical implications
A number of recommendations concerning data collection and future service evaluations are made.

Originality/value
This paper contributes towards the evidence-base for using psychological therapies with clients experiencing chronic pain and related distress. Importantly, the paper complements evidence for general efficacy (from large-scale controlled studies) through an evaluation of real-world effectiveness (i.e., practice-based evidence).