The Effects of an Integrated Discharge Planning Model to Promote Pain Management Ability through an Online Platform in Patients with Lower Back Pain Attending the Acupuncture Clinic at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

Lower back pain is a common condition that significantly affects daily life, work performance, and self-care. This quasi-experimental study, with a two-group pretest-posttest design, investigated the effects of an integrated discharge planning model delivered via an online platform on pain management ability, pain intensity, stress level, and 28-day readmission rates among patients with low back pain. The sample consisted of 60 patients who received acupuncture services at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital between January and April 2025, purposively selected and matched into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received the integrated online discharge planning model, while the control group received routine discharge planning. Research instruments included 1) the integrated discharge planning model and nursing activity package (CVI = .983), 2) the integrated discharge planning record, 3) a non-pharmacological pain management ability questionnaire, 4) a self-rated pain intensity scale, and 5) a stress assessment scale. The instruments demonstrated good content validity (CVI = .97–1.00) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .786–.925). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t-test.

Results: After receiving the integrated discharge planning model, the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase in the mean score of non-pharmacological pain management ability, along with significant decreases in mean pain and stress scores at p < .01. In the control group, there were no statistically significant changes in pain management ability or stress scores. After the program, the experimental group had significantly higher pain management ability scores, lower pain scores, lower stress scores, and a significantly lower readmission rate than the control group at p < .01.