Overt pain behaviors: Relationship to patient functioning and treatment outcome

Two related studies examined the relationship of overt pain behaviors to measures of patient functioning and treatment outcome. In Study 1, overt pain behaviors of 45 chronic low back pain patients beginning inpatient pain treatment were assessed, and self-report measures of pain, pain behaviors, and physical and psychosocial disability were also obtained. Frequency of observed pain behaviors was significantly associated with patient ratings of pain, pain behaviors, and physical disability, but not psychosocial functioning. In Study 2, changes in observed pain behaviors and self-report measures of pain, pain behaviors, and depression following inpatient treatment were examined. Observed pain behaviors and self-reported pain, pain behaviors, and depression decreased significantly pre- to posttreatment. Decreases in observed pain behaviors were significantly associated with decreases in depression, but not with changes in self-reported pain or pain behaviors. Results support the use of both observational and self-report measures in the comprehensive evaluation of chronic pain problems. © 1988 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Francis Joseph Keefe Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...