The Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP) in Patients with Headache and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Data

Background: Headache and musculoskeletal pain are associated with both physical and mental health symptoms, which together are mutually reinforcing. Addressing mental and physical health symptoms (including pain) concomitantly may provide an effective and efficient way to improve outcomes in this population. We tested an evidence-based, eight-session multimodal group program, the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program (3RP), in patients with headache and musculoskeletal pain. A total of 109 adults (30 with headaches, 79 with musculoskeletal pain). Methods: Participant were 109 adults (30 with headaches, 79 with musculoskeletal pain) referred by their medical doctor, who completed a battery of questionnaires before and after completion of the 3RP. Results: On average, patients with headache and musculoskeletal pain had higher pretreatment scores for anxiety, depression, and somatization symptoms than the nonpatient normative sample for the Symptom Checklist 90—Revised. Significant improvements were identified from pre- to post-treatment in all mental health symptoms (moderate to large effects) and frequency of pain and co-occurring physical health symptoms (small to moderate effects). Patients also reported significant decreases in degree of discomfort and life interference, which were relatively more modest in the musculoskeletal pain group compared with the headache group. Conclusions: Overall, results of this study suggest that the 3RP may be an effective treatment for reducing pain and psychological symptoms in patients with headaches and musculoskeletal pain. Future work is needed to evaluate the 3RP via a randomized clinical trial in these patient populations.