From: Disabil Rehabil. 2010 Mar 29. [Epub ahead of print]
The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between known cognitive factors and levels of pain and disability in patients with idiopathic chronic neck pain. Ninety-four patients referred for physiotherapy because of chronic neck pain completed measures of pain, disability, catastrophising, pain-related fear, pain vigilance and awareness and self-efficacy beliefs.
Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were then performed to establish whether the cognitive factors were significant determinants of levels of pain and disability. The cognitive measures were significantly related to levels of pain and disability, explaining 23% of the variance in pain intensity and 30% of the variance in disability. Specifically, greater catastrophising and lower pain vigilance and awareness were associated with greater pain intensity. Moreover, greater catastrophising and lower functional self-efficacy beliefs were significantly associated with greater levels of disability.
Cognitive factors were strongly related to levels of pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. In view of this, targeting the modification of these cognitive factors should be an integral part of therapy when treating patients with idiopathic chronic neck pain.
Related Source: Manual Therapy Considerations In Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a common problem that has a relatively high incidence and a low recovery rate. The incidence of relapse following initially successful treatment is also significant. Persistent or relapsing pain often results from misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment. In other instances, focusing on pain generators alone overlooks important patient-centered treatment strategies that are capable of modulating pain perception and quality of life. Finally, noncompliance with otherwise successful treatment programs may result from inadequate education concerning the prognosis and management of chronic disorders such as arthritis.
Dissatisfied with ineffective, incomplete, and sometimes impersonal approaches to chronic disorders, a growing number of patients actively pursue complementary or alternative care, including manual modes of therapy and mind-body practices. Properly prescribed approaches may confer some clinically significant benefits. It is recognized that many other manual modes of therapy such as massage and chiropractic provide distinct solutions for patients with chronic pain that would otherwise be ignored by nontouch modalities.
