Preferences for Chronic Pain Treatment among Indigenous Peoples Living in the Pacific Northwest

There is a significant need for culturally appropriate psychological treatments for chronic pain among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples. This study used Indigenous community-based participatory research methods with the Portland Area Indian Health Services—Yakama Service Unit (YSU) to gather information needed for developing culturally adapted psychological treatments for AI/AN individuals with chronic pain. This study included remote semi-structured focus groups with 16 AI/AN individuals with chronic pain to identify pain treatment preferences (Aim 1) and priorities for pain treatment outcome domains (Aim 2). Thematic analyses were conducted with Atlas.ti (version 23.2.1). Results indicated a high interest in psychological interventions and concern that referral to psychological treatment meant that pain is “not real.” Pain intensity and pain interference were identified as the most important outcome domains. To measure pain intensity, the 0 to 10 Numerical Rating Scale was most preferred. The findings support the potential utility of culturally adapted psychological treatments for chronic pain for AI/AN individuals and provided information regarding the adaptations that would be most useful.