Relationship of psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal pain among individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-021-00415-4 · Published: May 21, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Orthopedics

Simple Explanation

This study explores the connection between psychological factors and musculoskeletal pain in people who have recently experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI). It focuses on understanding how things like fear of movement and negative thoughts about pain might affect their experience of shoulder pain. The research found that many individuals with new SCI report shoulder pain, along with increased levels of kinesiophobia (fear of movement), pain catastrophizing (exaggerated negative thinking about pain), and reduced quality of life. Identifying these psychological factors early on can help healthcare providers tailor treatments to address not just the physical pain, but also the emotional and psychological aspects, potentially improving overall outcomes for people with SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

35 individuals with newly acquired SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of a longitudinal cohort study

Key Findings

1
Moderate shoulder pain was reported in 40% of individuals with new SCI, accompanied by clinically elevated kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, and reduced quality of life.
2
Shoulder pain showed a statistically significant association with pain catastrophizing, indicating that individuals with greater shoulder pain tended to have higher levels of negative thoughts and feelings about their pain.
3
Kinesiophobia was positively correlated with fear of pain and inversely related to quality of life, suggesting that a greater fear of movement is associated with increased fear of pain and decreased overall life satisfaction.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationship between musculoskeletal pain, particularly shoulder pain, and pain-related psychological factors in individuals with newly acquired spinal cord injury (SCI) during initial inpatient rehabilitation. The findings revealed a high prevalence of shoulder pain, clinically relevant levels of kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing, and their associations with reduced quality of life in this population. The authors suggest that early identification and management of these psychosocial factors are crucial for improving rehabilitation outcomes and preventing long-term pain development and persistence in individuals with SCI.

Practical Implications

Early Psychological Assessment

Implement routine screening for kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, and fear of pain in individuals with newly acquired SCI during inpatient rehabilitation.

Targeted Interventions

Develop and implement interventions that specifically address pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or graded exposure therapy.

Adaptive Coping Strategies

Educate individuals with SCI on active, positive coping strategies to manage pain and reduce the risk of developing persistent pain conditions.

Study Limitations

1
The inclusion criteria excluded individuals with higher level injuries who used power wheelchair, limiting generalizability to all individuals with SCI.
2
Information regarding length of stay in acute care prior to inpatient rehabilitation was not obtained and may provide further insights into potential characteristics.
3
Other concurrent psychological variables, such as depression and anxiety were not obtained.

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