CHERP Investigator Leslie Hausmann, PhD, PI of a VA-funded pilot study testing the potential impact of a positive psychology intervention on racial disparities in pain.

VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) is marking Health Equity and Disparities Research in April 2018 with spotlights on VA's work to ensure that all Veterans have barrier-free access to the same high-quality, evidence-based care.

Spotlight on Health Equity and Disparities Research

 

Staying Positive:  An Intervention to Reduce Osteoarthritis Pain Disparities

Among the work featured by VA HSR&D is Staying Positive: An Intervention to Reduce Osteoarthritis Pain Disparities, led by CHERP Investigator Leslie Hausmann, PhD.

Arthritis is a prevalent and disabling source of chronic pain for which African Americans bear a disproportionate burden. This study tested a patient-centered, non-invasive intervention to improve pain outcomes and reduce disparities in African American and white Veterans with knee arthritis. The intervention is designed to help Veterans develop positive psychological skills such as gratitude and kindness, the health benefits of which are well-documented. 

In a pilot test of this intervention, a small group of patients (N = 42) were randomized to a six-week program containing positive skill-building activities or neutral control activities tailored to the patient population. Adherence was assessed by telephone each week. Osteoarthritis symptom severity was assessed, as well as measures of well-being (positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction) at baseline and by telephone one, three, and six months after the program ended. 

Results showed that the majority (64%) of patients completed more than 80% of their weekly activities. Patients in the positive (vs neutral) program reported significantly more improvement over time in osteoarthritis symptom severity, negative affect, and life satisfaction. The intervention is now being tested in a larger study to determine whether these benefits generalize to a broader sample of Veterans with arthritis.

Implications. Since Veterans with knee osteoarthritis are open to participating in a six-week non-pharmacological intervention to build positive psychological skills, this approach may have potential, wider application for a diverse group of Veterans with other chronic pain conditions. 

Citations

Hausmann LRM, Youk A, Kwoh CK, et al. Testing a positive psychological intervention for osteoarthritis. Pain Medicine. 2017 Oct 1; 18(10):1908-1920.

Hausmann LRM, Ibrahim SA, Kwoh CK, et al. Rationale and design of the staying positive with arthritis (SPA) study: A randomized controlled trial testing the impact of a positive psychology intervention on racial disparities in pain. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2017 Sep 8; (64):243-253.