Effectiveness of a Peer-led Pain Management Program

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a peer-led pain management program (PAP) in improving pain self-efficacy, reduce pain, enhancing use of drugs and non-drug methods and quality of life among nursing home residents Hypothesis: PAP lead by peer volunteer (PV) is more effective than receive usual care and pain management pamphlet, in reducing pain intensity, enhancing pain self-efficacy, use of drugs and non-drug methods, health-related quality of life upon completion of the PAP (week 12) and over time (week 24). Design and subjects: Clustered randomized controlled trial with nursing homes as cluster; 288 residents will be recruited from 12 nursing homes. Each nursing home will be randomly allocated to experimental group (PV led PAP), control group (receive usual care and pain management pamphlet). Study instruments: Brief Pain Inventory, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Use of drugs and non-drug methods log book, Short Form Health Survey-12 and process evaluation. Intervention: 12-week PAP (one 1-hour session per week). Outcome measures: Pain intensity, pain self-efficacy, use of non-drug pain relief methods, perceived health-related quality of life and experience in participating PAP, to be collected at baseline (T0), week 12 (T1), and week 24 (T2). Data analysis: Multilevel regression and/or Generalized Estimating Equation will be used for within-group and between- group comparisons. Expected results: Significant reduction in pain and enhancement in pain-related parameters, making peers support models in elderly care.