Pain Location and Functioning in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

PM R, 2014 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.01.010 · Published: August 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how the location and extent of pain affects the lives of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who experience chronic pain. It aims to identify which aspects of pain are most important to assess and treat in this population. The research found that the more areas of the body where a person experiences pain, and the more intense that pain is, the more it interferes with their daily life and negatively affects their psychological well-being. Specifically, pain in the lower back and legs was strongly linked to reduced functioning. The study suggests that doctors should carefully assess the intensity of pain in specific locations when evaluating and managing chronic pain in individuals with SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

259 persons with an SCI and chronic pain

Evidence Level

Prospective, observational study

Key Findings

1
Pain extent and intensity are positively associated with pain interference (r = 0.33, P < .01), indicating that greater pain extent and intensity lead to more significant interference with daily activities.
2
Pain extent is negatively associated with psychological functioning (r = −0.21, P < .01), suggesting that a greater extent of pain is linked to poorer psychological well-being.
3
Pain intensity in the lower back and legs shows strong associations with patient functioning (r = 0.55, P < .01 for pain interference).

Research Summary

This study examined the relationship between pain location and its impact on functioning in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and chronic pain. The research aimed to determine if pain site and extent contribute to pain interference and psychological functioning. Key findings indicated that pain extent was positively correlated with pain interference and negatively correlated with psychological functioning. Pain intensity in the lower back and legs showed strong associations with patient functioning. The study concludes that assessing pain intensity at specific locations and addressing pain at multiple sites are important aspects of managing pain in persons with an SCI, suggesting a more comprehensive approach to pain evaluation and treatment.

Practical Implications

Comprehensive Pain Assessment

Clinicians should assess pain intensity at specific locations and the extent of pain, in addition to overall pain intensity, for a thorough evaluation of chronic pain in SCI patients.

Targeted Pain Management

Treatment programs should consider multiple pain sites and potentially different underlying mechanisms to improve pain management for individuals with SCI.

Early Intervention

Prompt pain management following an SCI is crucial, as the duration of a pain problem is related to pain extent, interference, and psychological dysfunction.

Study Limitations

1
Reliance on self-report measures may introduce shared method variance.
2
The number of potential predictors in regression analyses may lead to some significant relationships occurring by chance.
3
Pain quality and type of pain were not included in the assessment.

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