Hopper, Mirella and Curtis, Suzanne and Hodge, Suzanne Margaret and Simm, Rebecca Jayne (2016) A qualitative study exploring the effects of attending a community pain service choir on wellbeing in people who experience chronic pain. British Journal of Pain, 10 (3). pp. 124-134. ISSN 2049-4637
Abstract
The choir has links to a multidisciplinary pain management service, which is informed by the ethos of solution-focused principles, specifically in identifying and drawing upon patients’ resources. Seven choir members participated in semi-structured interviews, grounded in lines of enquiry commonly used in SF practice. Thematic analysis of the data uncovered seven themes: Physical Improvements, Emotional Impact, Personal Growth, Interpersonal Processes, Relationship with the ‘Self’, Living Well with Pain and Sharing the Music and Spreading the Word. The choir enabled continued progress towards accomplishing key PMP aims: self-management, coping and living well with pain. Findings expanded upon existing findings relating to singing and wellbeing by highlighting the choir’s role in promoting resilience and acceptance of pain. Clinical implications are explored in relation to psychosocial dimensions of pain.