The effect of psychological factors in pain intensity of patients with chronic pain conditions

IntroductionChronic pain can lead to depression, weariness, sleep problems, decreased physical and cognitive function, personality changes/shifts, and social interactions, all of which can lead to social marginalization and financial loss.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate how psychological variables affects pain intensity.Methods193 patients diagnosed with chronic pain conditions, men 67 (34.8%) and women 126 (65.2%), participated in the study. This study used a quantitative between-subjects design to investigate the effect of psychological factors on pain intensity using the VAS scale. Analysis was performed with the use of SPSS23.ResultsThe analysis produces a coefficient of determination R2 = 0.448 – suggesting that a total 44.8% variability in pain intensity in the previous month can be explained by Age, Fear-avoidance belief about physical activity, Commitment to activity, fear avoidance beliefs about work and Pain catastrophizing magnification. A repeated measure analysis of variance shows that the regression model is statistically significant F (1, 187) = 30.381, p = 0.000. The predictors variables (Age, fear-avoidance belief about physical activity, commitment in activity, fear avoidance beliefs about work and pain catastrophizing magnification) are found to statistically significant t (187) = 9.627, p = 0.001, t (187) = 4.616, p = 0.001, t (187) = 2.982, p = 0.003, t (187) = -2.599, p = 0.010, t (187) = 2.253, p = 0.025 respectively.ConclusionsThe findings of this study are in agreement with previous literature and also provide insight into the major psychological factors correlates with pain intensityDisclosure of InterestNone Declared