Complex Psychological Comorbidity and Chronic Pain An Analysis of the Effectiveness and Challenges of Multimodal Pain Management

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of Multimodal Pain Management (MMST) in patients with complex psychological comorbidity and chronic pain, especially in patients with trauma. Based on expert interviews, it is emphasized that the success of MMST depends heavily on a comprehensive psychological diagnosis to detect and treat potential trauma at an early stage. In addition, it is emphasized that specific treatment approaches, such as longer therapy times and a higher frequency of psychotherapeutic sessions, are required for this patient group. The research draws on various psychological models to represent the interactions between pain and trauma. It highlights the need to identify the factors contributing to maintaining post-traumatic pain. Despite potential limitations, such as limited sample size and lack of control groups, the study highlights the urgent need for further research to develop and optimize effective treatment strategies for this specific patient population.