ESCAPE-pain is a rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain of the knees and/or hips, that integrates patient education, self-management and coping strategies, with an exercise regime individualised for each person to improve their health. The programme supports people to become more active and improves their understanding and management of their pain.
Due to designation as an Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) national programme, and with the support of Versus Arthritis, 2018-19 saw the ESCAPE-pain programme scale up significantly, to 166 sites by March 2019 (growth of over 100 sites in one year).
Originally designed to be delivered by physiotherapist in hospital outpatient departments, it is now also offered to patients in leisure centres and gyms, church halls and community centres, and this element of the programme has also been supported by Sport England. The expansion of the programme has been impressive, a true testament to the collaborative approach needed to spread and adopt innovations across the AHSN Network. You can find your nearest ESCAPE-Pain programme here:
The success of ESCAPE-pain, a south London innovation, is a great example of how the Health Innovation Network is working together with members, partners and the other 15 AHSNs, to identify and implement innovations that improve lives.
Case Study
Regina attended the ESCAPE-pain programme run by Mytime Active (a leisure centre). Hear her story about how the programme helped her gain her independence back and enabled her to become physically active again – going from relying on a wheelchair to joining a Zumba class.
