Summary: | It has recently been reported that one in five Canadians struggle with chronic pain, with chronic low back pain being the most common chronic pain condition. Treatment options for chronic pain can be pharmacologic (i.e., pain medication which can include opioids or non-opioid analgesics), and/or non-pharmacologic, including physical treatment, surgery, and occupational or multimodal therapy using the biopsychosocial approach which addresses the biological, psychological and social aspects of the condition. Because of the harmful, dose-dependent deleterious effects of opioid treatment, including addiction, increased risk of injuries, respiratory depression, hyperalgesia, and death, there is a need for non-opioid, multi-disciplinary approaches such as biopsychosocial therapy for diverse chronic pains, from low back pain, to headache, musculoskeletal pain, and cancer-related pain. This Rapid Response report aims to review the clinical and cost-effectiveness of occupational therapy using a biopsychosocial approach to manage chronic pain compared to opioids, no treatment, placebo, or waiting list. Evidence-based guidelines regarding occupational therapy using a biopsychosocial approach to manage chronic pain will also be examined
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