Light at the end of the tunnel: design, implementation and outcomes of a pelvic pain management programme

Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a complex, prevalent condition that significantly impacts quality of life, work, relationships, and healthcare resources. Management remains challenging, with variation in practice and no national consensus. Evidence supports a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Objectives: To describe the design, implementation, and outcomes of a multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Management Programme (PPMP), reporting results from four programme cycles. Methods: The PPMP was developed using behaviour-change principles and delivered over 12 weekly sessions. Participants completed validated psychometric questionnaires at baseline, programme completion, and 3-month follow-up. Change was analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA and clinical significance assessed using the Minimal Clinically Important Difference or the Reliable Change Index. Main Outcome Measures: Psychometric questionnaires assessed the following outcome measures: pain intensity, pain self-efficacy, kinesiophobia, anxiety, depression, patient activation, health-related quality of life, pain acceptance, and catastrophising. Results: Thirty-three participants completed the programme, with 19 full datasets. A statistically significant improvement was recorded across all measures, except for anxiety. At the 3-month follow-up, 79% of participants reported a clinically significant improvement in several areas. Notably, 82% of participants showed clinically significant improvement in pain self-efficacy, 74% in depression, and 81% in pain catastrophising at programme completion. Conclusions: A PPMP is feasible, acceptable, and associated with significant and sustained improvements across biopsychosocial outcomes. Tailored PMPs may address gaps in CPP care and support long-term recovery. What is New?: This represents the largest published dataset evaluating a PPMP. These results highlight the potential of PPMPs to achieve pain reduction and sustainable improvement in quality of life for individuals with CPP.