Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pharmacological, physical, and psychological treatments of pain: findings from the Chronic Pain & COVID-19 Pan-Canadian Study

• Published in: Pain reports 2021-01, Vol.6 (1), p.e891-e891
• Main Authors: Lacasse, Anaïs, Pagé, M. Gabrielle, Dassieu, Lise, Sourial, Nadia, Janelle-Montcalm, Audrée, Dorais, Marc, Nguena Nguefack, Hermine Lore, Godbout-Parent, Marimée, Hudspith, Maria, Moor, Gregg, Sutton, Kathryn, Thompson, James M., Choinière, Manon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19 and pain
• ISSN: 2471-2531; 2471-2531
• DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000891

Multimodal treatment is recognized as the optimal paradigm for the management of chronic pain (CP). Careful balance between pharmacological and physical/psychological approaches is thus desirable but can be easily disrupted. This study aimed at exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pharmacological and physical/psychological treatments of CP. A Pan-Canadian cross-sectional web-based study was conducted between April 16th and May 31st 2020 among adults living with CP when the country was in the ascending slope of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. A total of 2864 participants shared their treatment experience (mean age: 49.7 years and women: 83.5%). Among medication users (n = 2533), 38.3% reported changes in their pharmacological pain treatment. The main reasons were as follows: (1) changes in pain symptoms, (2) lack of access to prescribers/cancellation of medical appointments, and (3) increased medication intake in compensation for stopping physical/psychological treatments because of the pandemic. Among participants who used physical/psychological pain management approaches before the pandemic (n = 2467), 68.3% had to modify their treatments or self-management strategies. Common reasons were lack of access to clinics/exercise facilities and the need to compensate for having to stop another type of physical/psychological treatment because of the pandemic-related public health safety measures. Our study underlines the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to pain relief, which is considered a fundamental human right. Results will help to justify resource allocation and inform the development of interventions to be better prepared for waves to come and future health crises.