months (Bala, 2011). In adult
Europeans, 19% of the population
suffers from chronic pain,
which seriously affects social
and working life quality
(Dezutter, Dewitte, Thauvoye,
& Vanhooren, 2017; Leadley et
al., 2014; O'Brien & Breivik,
2012; Reid et al., 2011). The
negative effects of chronic pain
manifest themselves as, for example,
a reduction in the quality
of life, the inability to perform
certain movements, restrictions
in daily activities, social isolation,
depression and helplessness
(Eisenberg, O'Brien et al.,
2013; Outcalt et al., 2015; Reid
et al., 2011). 46% of Dutch
chronic pain patients indicate
that their pain problem is not
being treated adequately. Of
those patients with a VAS pain
score (Visual Analogue Scale)
of 5 or higher, 78% experience
their treatment as inadequate
(Bekkering et al., 2011). The
incidence of recurring chronic
pain is increased in this group
of patients, along with the
amount of time spent in the
clinical setting (Outcalt et al.,
2015; Reid et al., 2011).
National and international
guidelines prescribe pain education
as pain management skills
for primary intervention for
chronic pain (Briggs, 2012; Eccleston,
Wells, & Morlion,
2018; van Cranenburgh, 2016;
Wilgen & Nijs, 2007). Despite
this priority and related recommendations,
less than 4% of
patients receive these interventions
during their treatment
(Bekkering et al., 2011; Briggs
& Mayor, 2013; van Cranenburgh,
2016; Vrolijk, 2016;
Wilgen & Nijs, 2007).
What makes Reducept unique is
the integration of policy guidelines
based education and pain
management techniques. These
guidelines have been translated
into game-based training by
which patients learn about pain
and about how to apply pain
management strategies in their
daily lives (Briggs & Mayor,
2013; Elabd, 2012; Moseley &
Butler, 2015). The aim of Reducept
is to enable patients to
experience that pain can be influenced
and managed in a positive
way by changing the way
they think about pain.
Pain theory & Education Reducept
is based, among other
things, on the 'Explain Pain'
Theory (Moseley & Butler,
2003). In short: our brains
create pain when they perceive
that our body is in danger.
Pain can be a strong emotional
and subjective experience –and
by influencing related cognitive,
emotional and behavioural
processes, the pain experience
can change. Moseley and Butler
have successfully demonstrated
that the knowledge that forms
part of their 'Explain Pain' education
can improve functioning
and reduce pain scores with a
reduction in pain scores that is
sustained over a longer period
(Moseley & Butler, 2015).
Pain formation in Reducept is
based on the Explain Pain
guidelines (Moseley & Butler,
2015) and on the guidelines by
Lauren Heathcade at the IASP
World Congress on Pain 2018.
In summary, the most important
learning experiences in Reducept
are that:
There are many potential
factors that contribute to
pain
We are all bioplastic
Pain is not an accurate
marker of tissue damage
Pain education is a form of
treatment
Pain is a brain expression
Pain is a protector