The responsibility of primary healthcare for treatment and rehabilitation of chronic pain patients has increased in the last decade. Experiences of multidisciplinary, behavioural treatments in pain clinics have demonstrated positive effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate a biopsychosocial rehabilitation programme in primary healthcare for chronic pain patients. The study included 70 chronic pain patients, who participated in an intervention based on ego-strengthening psychotherapy, led by an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. The study was performed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a questionnaire as well as statistically analysed. The results showed increased general well-being (p < 0.01) and ability of pain management (p < 0.001) together with decreased level of perceived complaints (p < 0.001). The intervention was also associated with positive changes in personality, physical and cognitive factors. The results suggest that the biopsychosocial rehabilitation programme is useful in primary healthcare. Further studies should be carried out into the effects of such a rehabilitation programme in controlled randomized designs. © 1999 Scandinavian University Press.