ARTICLE
A new study based on Veterans Affairs health records finds that non-drug therapies given to military service members with chronic pain may reduce the risk of long-term adverse outcomes, such as alcohol and drug disorder and self-induced injuries, including suicide attempts. The researchers concluded that service members with chronic pain who received non-drug therapies while in the military had a "significantly lower" risk in VA of new onset alcohol or drug disorder; poisoning with opioids and related narcotics, barbiturates, or sedatives; and suicidal thoughts and attempts. The lead author noted: Chronic pain is associated with adverse outcomes, such as substance use and suicidal thoughts and behavior. It made sense that if non-drug treatments are good at managing pain, their effect would go beyond only pain relief. However, I was surprised that the results of our analyses held, despite our attempts to prove them wrong. Often enough in research, significant results disappear once you start controlling for variables that can possibly affect the outcome of the study. While in service, the solders received non-drug therapies that included acupuncture, dry needling, biofeedback, chiropractic care, massage, exercise therapy, cold laser therapy, osteopathic spinal manipulation, electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasonography, superficial heat treatment, traction, and lumbar supports. Ultrasonography is a technique that uses echoes of ultrasound pulses to pinpoint objects or areas of different density in the body. In the study, the researchers compared service members with chronic pain who did or didn't receive non-drug therapies and described the links between such treatments in the military and long-term adverse outcomes. They determined that soldiers who received non-drug therapies were at lower risk of being diagnosed with drug use disorders and self-inflicted injuries, such as accidental poisoning and suicidal ideation--which is the thought of taking one's own life. The largest difference was seen with regard to accidental poisoning with opioids or other pain drugs: Those who received non-drug therapies were 35% less likely to injure themselves than those who didn't receive such therapies while in the service. Service members who received non-drug treatments were also at lower risk down the road for these adverse outcomes: Self-inflicted injuries, including suicide attempts: 17% less likely. Suicidal ideation: 12% less likely. Alcohol or drug use disorders: 8% less likely. The results supported the researchers' hypothesis that use of non-drug therapies in the military would be linked to fewer negative outcomes for patients in the VA system. Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191211/Non-drug-therapies-may-reduce-adverse-outcomes-in-service-members-with-chronic-pain.aspx
Chronic pain is associated with adverse outcomes, such as substance use and suicidal thoughts and behavior. It made sense that if non-drug treatments are good at managing pain, their effect would go beyond only pain relief. However, I was surprised that the results of our analyses held, despite our attempts to prove them wrong. Often enough in research, significant results disappear once you start controlling for variables that can possibly affect the outcome of the study.