The feasibility and acceptability of groups for pain management in methadone maintenance treatment.

OBJECTIVES

Effective and safe pain management interventions in methadone maintenance treatment are needed.

METHODS

We examined the feasibility (ie, single-session attendance) and acceptability (ie, patient satisfaction and booster session attendance) of cognitive-behavioral therapy-informed groups for pain management-Coping With Pain, Relaxation Training, Group Singing, and Mindful Walking. Pre- and postsession measures were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 349 (out of a census of approximately 800) methadone-maintained patients attended at least 1 of the groups. Group satisfaction was high. Booster session attendance was numerically lower in Mindful Walking (14%) than in the other groups (at least 40%). Repeat attendance at Coping With Pain was associated with reduced characteristic pain intensity and depression, whereas repeat attendance at Relaxation Training was associated with decreased anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Coping With Pain, Relaxation Training, and Group Singing are transportable, affordable, adaptable, and tolerated well by patients with pain and show promise as components of a multimodal pain management approach in methadone maintenance treatment.