The effectiveness of multidisciplinary, activity-based chronic pain interventions for adults of ethnoculturally diverse backgrounds: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of multidisciplinary, activity-based interventions on adults with chronic musculoskeletal or widespread pain who identify as ethnoculturally diverse (ECD) compared to adults belonging to the predominant culture of the host country.

Methods

Online databases Medline, CINAHL, AMED, Psych Info and PubMed were searched from the earliest date available until April 2023. The quality of the included studies were assessed against the Risk of Bias in Non Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I). Postintervention data were analyzed using meta-analyses and the certainty of evidence determined using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach (GRADE).

Results

Nine cohort studies with 3467 participants living in America and north-western European countries were included. ECD adults had higher pain intensity (SMD 1.36, 95%CI 0.29 to 2.35, p = 0.03), higher levels of depression (SMD 0.96, 95%CI 0.40 to 1.52, p < 0.01) and a nonsignificant difference in pain-related disability (SMD −1.45, 95%CI −3.28 to 0.39, p = 0.12) following multidisciplinary pain intervention compared to adults of the predominant culture.

Conclusion

Adults from ECD backgrounds in Western nations have poorer outcomes after multidisciplinary, activity-based chronic pain interventions compared to adults from predominant cultural groups in these countries suggesting program adaptations may be required.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Adults from ethnoculturally diverse backgrounds in Western nations have poorer outcomes after chronic pain interventions suggesting different approaches to management are needed.

• Programs can be adapted to reflect culture-specific beliefs, metaphors, language and concepts in their content to better address pain and improve outcomes among ethnoculturally diverse communities.

Keywords:

• Chronic pain
• cultural diversity
• migrant
• multidisciplinary intervention
• health disparity
• physiotherapy
• exercise

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding sources

Nil