Samueli Institute Hosts Military Task Force on Chronic Pain

On Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 12 medical experts representing various branches of the military met with Samueli Institute researchers to discuss and assess results of a systematic review, conducted using Samueli Institute’s Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Healing (SEARCH) methodology, which examined both the quality of studies and effectiveness of self-care integrative medicine options for treating chronic pain.

Chronic pain management is traditionally treated with prescription medications or invasive care procedures that are costly and may have significant side effects. Because chronic pain affects the whole person—body, mind and spirit—it is best treated with patient-centered approaches that actively engage and empower patients in their own healing processes. Self-care approaches allow for a diverse treatment of complex symptoms, promote active self-management, and are relatively safe and cost-effective.

“To summarize the findings of the systematic review the military medicine experts were trained to evaluate the overall literature pool and come to consensus regarding what modalities, based on the literature, most effectively treat pain symptoms. The team then identified research gaps emerging from the review, and recommendations for moving the most effective methods into the field,” said Samueli Institute Research Manager Cindy Crawford.

More than 2,700 randomized controlled trials were yielded from the literature search and screened for relevance based on pre-defined inclusion criteria. Of these, 146 were included in the review and subsequently assessed for methodological bias and quality. Findings will be presented in an upcoming special issue discussing the history and importance of chronic pain management in the military and the significance of self-care, integrative treatment approaches to chronic pain.

“We will also describe how to address research gaps identified by the review and outline next steps for moving this field of research forward,” said Crawford.

While the research is ongoing and results forthcoming, military officials say the work that has already been completed has huge implications for our nation’s Warfighters.

More information on Samueli Institute’s SEaRCH research services is available here.