Sensory Processing, Chronic Pain, and Recovery from Substance Use

Authors

Claire Ruth, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Susan MacDermott, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Becki Cohill, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
Karen Park, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow

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Description

Background: Those with chronic pain have worse drug and alcohol treatment outcomes and higher rates of relapse compared to those without pain or with reduced pain (Ilgen et al., 2020).

Methods: A descriptive study was employed with the aim of determining what are the sensory processing pattens of those with co-morbid chronic pain and in recovery for substance use. All participants completed the Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Personal Recovery Outcome Measure (PROM).

Results: From the preliminary findings, individuals with co-morbid chronic pain and substance use may have atypical sensory processing in areas of sensation sensitive, sensation avoiding, and low registration, compared to the normative sample. Individuals within this clinical setting in general were not receiving non-pharmacological treatment for their pain. With pain fluctuating between mild (2.2/10) and severe (6.0/10) throughout the day. Results of the PROM were an average of 21/30. Item 21 states “I can manage stress”. From these findings a 5-week sensory based OT Group was implemented at a PHP/IOP treatment center focusing on self-management, health-management, and stress reduction strategies to improve overall occupational performance.

Conclusion: Individuals with co-morbid chronic pain and substance use may have sensory processing patterns that are impacting function and recovery. This highlights the potential value of further research and consideration in clinical practice of these unique patterns and how they may be impacting recovery and long-term sobriety.

Publication Date

4-15-2021

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Medical Subject Headings

Chronic Pain, Sensation Disorders, Group Therapy, Substance-related Disorders, Occupational Therapy

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy | Psychiatry and Psychology | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Comments

Poster presented at the Spring 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on April 15, 2021.

Recommended Citation

Ruth, C., MacDermott, S., Cohill, B., & Park, K. (2021, April 15). Sensory Processing, Chronic Pain, and Recovery from Substance Use. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2021/8

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.