Through twelve sessions over a period of six weeks, ESCAPE-pain integrates self-management and coping strategies with a progressive exercise regimen bespoke to the individual.
The programme aims to help people better understand their condition and realise that exercise is a safe and effective self-management strategy, which can be used to reduce pain and the physical and psychosocial effects of joint pain.
Rigorously evaluated in randomised control trials, ESCAPE-pain is endorsed by NICE and also cited as a Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) case study. It has been shown to:
• improve clinical outcomes and function
• be more cost-effective than usual care
• improve patient confidence in their ability to self-manage
• promote physical activity, reducing the risk of acquiring or exacerbating co-morbidities
• help delay or avoid surgery
The Health Innovation Network (AHSN for South London) has facilitated the implementation of ESCAPE-pain at several Trusts across South London, with the aim of diffusing this evidence-based intervention.
A website aimed at healthcare professionals has also been developed (link below) with support from Health Education South London and Arthritis Research UK, to further spread the programme. It contains all the resources needed to deliver the programme locally, which are available to download free of charge.
Since launching the website in late November 2014, further uptake of the programme across England has occurred, with several more locations to start very shortly. Additionally, while ESCAPE-pain has typically been delivered by physiotherapists, the Health Innovation Network is now exploring how it can be delivered in a range of community settings, including piloting the programme in local leisure centres and Public Health departments.
For more information about the ESCAPE-pain programme, please visit www.escape-pain.org.