By Rick Nauert PhD
Associate News Editor Last updated: 9 Aug 2019 ~ 2 min read
Emerging research suggests that for some individuals, online symptom self-management plus clinician telecare is the best strategy for treating anxiety, depression and pain.
As a background, it is well documented that pain is the most common physical symptom for which adults seek medical attention in the United States. Moreover, anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues for which adults visit a doctor. We also now understand that medications, especially opioids for pain, may not be the only or best therapy.
In the new study, Regenstrief Institute research scientist Kurt Kroenke, M.D., a pioneer in the treatment of patient symptoms, discovered online symptom self-management or online symptom self-management plus clinician telecare can be effective solutions for individuals with anxiety, depression and pain.
“Pain, anxiety and depression can produce a vicious cycle in which the presence of one symptom, if untreated, may negatively affect the response to treatment of the other two symptoms,†said Dr. Kroenke.
“So treating not just pain, but pain and mood symptoms simultaneously is quite important, as is doing it how, when and where the patient is most receptive.â€
In the study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Dr. Kroenke and colleagues discovered that online symptom self-management works to decrease pain, anxiety and depression symptoms. They also found that online symptom self-management works even better when coupled with clinician telecare.
Prior studies have found a benefit to adding telecare to usual care in the doctor’s office. The researchers have now shown that the intermediate (and less costly) mechanism of online pain and mood self-management is effective and, for some, even more effective when coupled with live phone follow-up with a nurse.
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