High level of post-traumatic stress symptoms in patients with chronic neck pain is associated with poor mental health but does not moderate the outcome of a multimodal physiotherapy programme

INTRODUCTION

Chronic traumatic neck pain has a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, whether PTSS moderates treatment effects is unknown. This study investigated: 1) whether PTSS was associated with patient-reported outcomes and clinical test results at baseline; 2) whether PTSS moderated the effect of a multimodal physiotherapy intervention of exercise therapy and patient education; and 3) whether adherence to the intervention differed across PTSS groups.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial on chronic neck pain with 12-month follow-up was conducted. Patients were divided into three groups (NT = non-traumatic, LT = traumatic low PTSS, HT = traumatic high PTSS) based on self-reported onset of pain and the Impact of Event Scale. The baseline data were used to analyze the association of PTSS with patient demographics and scores of physical and mental health-related quality of life, depression, neck-related disability, kinesiophobia, and clinical tests. Baseline, 4-month and 12-month follow-up data were analyzed to investigate possible moderating effects on outcomes. Data on adherence were collected at four months.

RESULTS

115 participants were included (NT n = 45; LT n = 46; HT n = 24). The HT group reported lower mental health scores and more depressive symptoms at baseline. PTSS did not significantly moderate the treatment effect on any outcomes. The HT group tended to have lower adherence to the multimodal physiotherapy intervention than the LT group.

CONCLUSION

For patients with traumatic neck pain, high levels of PTSS are associated with poorer psychological outcomes but do not affect the outcomes of multimodal physiotherapy intervention.

Association between clinical biomechanical metrics of cervical spine function and pain or disability in people with neuromusculoskeletal neck pain: Protocol for a systematic review and planned meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Neck pain is a burdensome condition associated with pain, disability, and economic cost. Neck pain has been associated with observable changes in neuromuscular function and biomechanics. Prior research shows impairments in kinematic control, including reduced mobility, velocity, and smoothness of cervical motion. However, the strength of association between these impairments and patient-reported pain and disability is unclear rendering development of novel and relevant rehabilitation strategies difficult. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize existing evidence on the strength of association between clinical biomechanical metrics of neck function (ROM, strength, acceleration, accuracy, smoothness, etc.) and patient-reported neck pain and disability.

METHODS/ANALYSIS

This protocol follows Cochrane guidelines and adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Scopus will be searched, along with the gray literature, up to 20 November 2023, using terms and keywords derived from initial scoping searches. Observational studies, including cohorts and cross-sectional studies, that explore associations between clinical biomechanics of the neck and patient-reported outcomes of neck pain or disability will be included. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (National Institute of Health tool). Data will be synthesized using either a random effects meta-analytic approach or qualitatively using a modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, dependent on the homogeneity of data available.

DISCUSSION AND RELEVANCE

This review addresses a gap in the literature by systematically synthesizing findings on the relationship between neck function impairments and patient-reported outcomes. It will identify priorities for neck pain rehabilitation and gaps in current knowledge.

DISSEMINATION

The results of this review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation, and lay language summaries posted on an open-access website.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42023417317. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023417317.

Breaking the Disability Spiral: A Case Series Report Illustrating the Delivery of a Brief Skills Based Coaching Intervention to Prevent Chronic Dysfunction and Pain After Orthopedic Injury

Orthopedic traumas are common, costly, and burdensome - particularly for patients who transition from acute to chronic pain. Psychosocial factors, such as pain catastrophizing and pain anxiety, increase risk for poor outcomes after injury. The Toolkit for Optimal Recovery (TOR) is a novel multi-component mind-body intervention informed by the fear-avoidance model to promote re-engagement in daily activities and prevent transition toward chronic pain and physical dysfunction. The current case series aims to 1) describe the intervention and 2) showcase the treatment course of three TOR completers from diverse geographic locations in the U.S. with distinct injury types and varying personal identities to illustrate how the intervention can be delivered flexibly. Results indicate pre-to-post program improvement in physical function, pain severity, pain catastrophizing, pain anxiety, and other relevant outcomes targeted by the intervention (i.e., depression, mindfulness, coping). Experiences of our three TOR completers suggest that integrating TOR with standard orthopedic care may promote physical recovery after injury.

Network analyses reveal the interaction between physical features, fear of movement and neck pain and disability in people with acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A network analysis can be used to quantitatively assess and graphically describe multiple interactions. This study applied network analyses to determine the interaction between physical and pain-related factors and fear of movement in people with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) during periods of acute and chronic pain.

METHODS

Physical measurements, including pressure pain-thresholds (PPT) over neural structures, cervical range of motion, neck flexor and extensor endurance and the cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT), in addition to subjective reports including the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and neck pain and headache intensity, were assessed at baseline in 47 participants with acute WAD. TSK-11, NDI and pain intensity were assessed for the same participants 6 months later (n = 45). Two network analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between features at baseline and at 6 months and their centrality indices.

RESULTS

Both network analyses revealed that the greatest weight indices were found for NDI and CCFT at baseline and for neck pain and headache intensity and NDI and TSK-11 at both time points. Associations were also found betweeen cervical muscle endurance and neck pain intensity in the acute phase. Cervical muscle endurance assesssed during the acute phase was also associated with NDI after 6 months - whereas PPT measured at baseline was associsated with headache intensity after 6 months.

CONCLUSION

The strongest associations were found for headache and neck pain intensity and neck disability and fear of movement, both during acute pain and when mesured 6 months later. The extent of neck endurance and measures of PPT at baseline may be associated with neck disability and headache, respectively, 6 months after a whiplash injury.

SIGNIFICANCE

Through two network analyses, we evaluated the interaction between pain-related factors, fear of movement, neck disability and physical factors in people who had experienced a whiplash injury. We demonstrated that physical factors may be involved in the maintenance and development of chronic pain after a whiplash injury. Nevertheless, the strongest associations were found for headache and neck pain intensity and neck disability and fear of movement, both during acute and chronic phases.

Temporal Relations Between Pain Catastrophizing and Adverse Health and Mental Health Outcomes After Whiplash Injury

OBJECTIVES

Pain catastrophizing has been shown to be a prognostic indicator for pain severity and the co-occurrence of mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after whiplash injury. However, the pattern of available findings is limited in its implications for the possible "antecedent" or "causal" role of pain catastrophizing. The purpose of the present study was to examine the temporal relations between pain catastrophizing, pain severity, depressive symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in individuals receiving treatment for whiplash injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample consisted of 388 individuals enrolled in a multidisciplinary program for whiplash injury. Participants completed self-report measures of pain catastrophizing, pain severity, depressive symptoms, and PTSS at the time of admission, mid-treatment (4 week), and treatment completion (7 week). A cross-lagged panel analysis was used to examine the temporal relations between pain catastrophizing, pain severity, depressive symptoms, and PTSS across all 3 timepoints.

RESULTS

Model fit was acceptable after the inclusion of modification indices. Pain catastrophizing at the time of admission predicted all other variables at 4 weeks. Pain catastrophizing at 4 weeks also predicted all other variables at 7 weeks. In addition, some bidirectional relations were present, particularly for variables assessed at week 4 and week 7.

DISCUSSION

Findings support the view that pain catastrophizing might play a transdiagnostic role in the onset and maintenance of health and mental health conditions. The findings call for greater emphasis on the development of treatment techniques that target pain catastrophizing in intervention programs for whiplash injury.

The association between mechanical temporal summation, state anxiety at baseline, and persistent low back pain: a 12-month prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Persons with acute low back pain (LBP) have a good prognosis for regaining function, while pain often persists. Neurobiological and psychosocial factors are recognized to amplify pain responses, as reported for central sensitization. This study investigated the combination of mechanical temporal summation (TS) chosen to characterize central sensitization and state anxiety representing a psychological factor and their association with persistent pain.

METHODS

A longitudinal prospective cohort study including 176 participants aged between 18 and 65 with acute LBP was performed. The following independent variables were analyzed at baseline: The mechanical TS at the lower back, of whom the Wind-up ratio (WUR) was calculated, and the state anxiety level measured with the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S). The outcome pain intensity was assessed at baseline and 2,3,6 and 12 months after the onset of acute LBP with the Numeric Rating Scale 0-10 (NRS). Linear mixed models (LMM) were used to analyze the association of the independent variables with pain intensity over time.

RESULTS

The mean baseline WUR was 1.3 (SD 0.6) for the right and 1.5 (SD 1.0) for the left side. STAI-S revealed a mean score of 43.1 (SD 5.2). Pain intensity was, on average, 5.4 points (SD 1.6) on the NRS and decreased over one year to a mean of 2.2 (SD 2.4). After one year, 56% of the participants still experienced pain. The LMM revealed a considerable variation, as seen in large confidence intervals. Therefore, associations of the independent variables (WUR and STAI-S) with the course of the outcome pain intensity over one year were not established.

CONCLUSION

This investigation did not reveal an association of mechanical TS and state anxiety at baseline with pain intensity during the one-year measurement period. Pain persistence, mediated by central sensitization, is a complex mechanism that single mechanical TS and state anxiety cannot capture.

Recommendations for a core outcome measurement set for clinical trials in whiplash associated disorders

ABSTRACT

Inconsistent reporting of outcomes in clinical trials of treatments for whiplash associated disorders (WAD) hinders effective data pooling and conclusions about treatment effectiveness. A multidisciplinary International Steering Committee recently recommended 6 core outcome domains: Physical Functioning, Perceived Recovery, Work and Social Functioning, Psychological Functioning, Quality of Life and Pain. This study aimed to reach consensus and recommend a core outcome set (COS) representing each of the 6 domains. Forty-three patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were identified for Physical Functioning, 2 for perceived recovery, 37 for psychological functioning, 17 for quality of life, and 2 for pain intensity. They were appraised in 5 systematic reviews following COSMIN methodology. No PROMs of Work and Social Functioning in WAD were identified. No PROMs had undergone evaluation of content validity in patients with WAD, but some had moderate-to-high-quality evidence for sufficient internal structure. Based on these results, the International Steering Committee reached 100% consensus to recommend the following COS: Neck Disability Index or Whiplash Disability Questionnaire (Physical Functioning), the Global Rating of Change Scale (Perceived Recovery), one of the Pictorial Fear of Activity Scale-Cervical, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, or Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (Psychological Functioning), EQ-5D-3L or SF-6D (Quality of Life), numeric pain rating scale or visual analogue scale (Pain), and single-item questions pertaining to current work status and percent of usual work (Work and Social Functioning). These recommendations reflect the current status of research of PROMs of the 6 core outcome domains and may be modified as evidence grows.

Relations between PTSD symptom clusters and pain in three trauma-exposed samples with pain

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about how the individual PTSD symptom clusters relate to intensity and interference of pain and whether these relationships differ across clinical groups. The present study examines relations between PTSD symptom clusters and pain in three trauma-exposed, unique clinical groups: 1) adults seeking treatment for chronic pain with current symptoms of PTSD, 2) trauma affected refugees seeking treatment for PTSD and chronic pain; and 3) individuals identified at admission to the emergency ward after whiplash injury.

METHODS

Network analysis was used to assess unique relations between pain intensity, pain interference, re-experiencing, avoidance, numbing, hyperarousal, depression, and anxiety separately in each sample. Links between PTSD clusters and pain were then compared within and between samples.

RESULTS

No within-group differences were identified for the links between pain and any of PTSD clusters in the chronic pain and refugee groups. In the whiplash group, hyperarousal was more strongly related to pain than re-experiencing, avoidance, and numbing. Between group comparisons revealed a more pronounced relationship between hyperarousal and pain in the whiplash group, with no between-group differences between the chronic pain and refugee groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that when depression and anxiety are accounted for, few unique associations are found between pain and the PTSD symptom clusters in trauma-exposed samples with pain, with the exception of a link between pain and hyperarousal in individuals with whiplash-related PTSD symptoms.

The role of post-trauma stress symptoms in the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain and disability: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Traumatic injuries are amongst the leading causes of death and disability in the world across all age groups. This systematic review aimed to (1) describe the role of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) on the development of chronic pain and/or pain-related disability following musculoskeletal trauma and (2) report pain and or pain-related disability by injury severity/type.

DATABASE AND DATA TREATMENT

Electronic databases were searched, from inception to 31 November 2021 and updated on 10 May 2022, to identify studies in which: participants were adults aged ≥16 years sustaining any traumatic event that resulted in one or more musculoskeletal injuries; an outcome measure of PTSS was used within 3 months of a traumatic event; the presence of pain and/or pain-related disability was recorded at a follow-up of 3 months or more. Two reviewers independently screened papers and assessed the quality of included studies.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included. Owing to between-study heterogeneity, the results were synthesized using a narrative approach. Five studies investigated the relationship between PTSS and pain. Participants with PTSS were more likely to develop persistent pain for at least 12 months post-injury. Six studies assessed the relationship between PTSS and pain-related disability. The results suggest that patients with PTSS had significantly higher disability levels for at least 12 months post-injury.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this comprehensive systematic review support a clear relationship between PTSS post-injury and future pain/disability, with the potential importance of certain PTSS clusters (hyper-arousal and numbing).

SIGNIFICANCE

The findings of this systematic review indicate an association between PTSS reported within 3 months of a traumatic musculoskeletal injury and the development of longer-term pain and disability. The PTSS clusters of 'hyper-arousal' and 'numbing' appear to be of particular importance in this relationship.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021285243.

Post-Traumatic Orientation to Bodily Signals: A Systematic Literature Review

Theoretical literature suggests that trauma and (PTSD) may instigate changes in the interpretation of bodily signals. Some findings support these inquiries, revealing that exposure to traumatic events and PTSD are associated with pain catastrophizing, body vigilance, fear of pain, and other manifestations of bodily perceptions and interpretations. However, these findings are not integrated into an inclusive empirically based conceptualization, thus leading to a limited comprehension of this phenomenon. This systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize the existing literature referring to orientation to bodily signals. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the review included a final of 48 manuscripts that addressed orientation to bodily signals among participants (aged 18 and above) and its potential associations with PTSD. The review revealed that most studies assessed one orientation manifestation, which was tested for its link to PTSD. The majority of the manuscripts were cross-sectional and included participants who faced combat, vehicle accidents, or various types of traumas. Only five manuscripts focused on interpersonal trauma and abuse. Most manuscripts reported significant correlations, revealing that trauma and PTSD are associated with a negative, catastrophic and frightful interpretation of bodily signals. These findings emphasize the need to encapsulate the various manifestations of orientation to bodily signals under a unified construct, as proposed by the term post-traumatic orientation to bodily signals. Further research is needed to illuminate the circumstances and processes by which trauma is implicated in post-traumatic orientation to bodily signals.

Perceived pain and disability but not fear of movement are associated with altered cervical kinematics in people with acute neck pain following a whiplash injury

OBJECTIVES

To determine if measures of cervical kinematics are altered in people with acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD) and secondarily, to examine whether kinematic variables are associated with self-reported outcomes.

METHODS

We recruited people with acute WAD within 15 days after a motor vehicle collision and asymptomatic control participants. All participants performed active neck movements at a self-determined velocity. Maximal range of motion (ROM), peak and mean velocity of movement, smoothness of movement, and cervical joint position error were assessed. Moreover, self-reported measures of perceived pain and disability, pain catastrophising, and fear of movement were obtained.

RESULTS

Sixty people participated: 18 with acute WAD (mean age [SD] 38.7 [12.0]) and 42 as asymptomatic controls (mean age [SD] 38.4 [10.2]). Participants with acute WAD showed significantly decreased ROM in all movement directions (p < 0.0001). All participants with acute WAD showed a reduction in the mean and peak velocity of movement in all directions (p < 0.0001) and the number of velocity peaks was significantly higher (i.e., reduced smoothness of movement) in those with acute WAD in all directions (p < 0.0001). Repositioning acuity following cervical rotation was not significantly different between groups. Neck pain-related disability showed the largest number of significant associations with kinematic features, while fear of movement was not associated with measures of cervical kinematics.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with acute WAD presented with altered cervical kinematics compared to asymptomatic participants. Several measures of cervical kinematics were associated with the level of pain and disability in people with acute WAD but not their fear of movement.

A systematic review shows minimal evidence for measurement properties of psychological functioning outcomes in whiplash

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically identify, synthesize, and appraise studies on the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for anxiety, depression, fear of movement, pain catastrophizing, post-traumatic stress, self-efficacy, and stress in people with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PILOTS, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched (November 9, 2021). Studies evaluating any measurement property of relevant PROMs in WAD were included. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and assessed the measurement properties in accordance with the COSMIN guidelines.

RESULTS

Measurement properties of 10 PROMs were evaluated in WAD: Pictorial Fear of Activity Scale-Cervical (PFActS-C), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), PSEQ-4 item, PSEQ-2a, PSEQ-2b, Self-Efficacy Scale, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, and Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale. Content validity was not examined in any of these PROMs in whiplash. Moderate- or high-quality evidence showed adequate internal structure for the PSEQ, PCS, and PFActS-C, whereas the original structures of the remaining seven PROMs were not confirmed in whiplash.

CONCLUSION

Until further research on the measurement properties of these PROMs is available, researchers may opt to use the PSEQ, PCS, or PFActS-C if the construct is aligned with research aims.

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia after aerobic versus neck-specific exercise in people with acute/subacute whiplash-associated disorders: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

A disturbance in exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) has been observed in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Yet, no studies have examined whether EIH occurs in people with acute/subacute WAD. This study will determine whether EIH occurs immediately after and 24 hours after aerobic exercise (AE) and neck-specific exercise (NSE) in people with acute/subacute WAD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised controlled trial has been designed and is reported in line with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials. EIH will be assessed immediately after and 24 hours after AE, NSE and a control intervention (randomly allocated). As dependent variables of the study, we will measure pressure pain thresholds measured over the region of the spinous process of C2 and C5, the muscle belly of the tibialis anterior and over the three main peripheral nerve trunks, Neck Pain Intensity, Neck-Disability Index, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia-11, self-reported Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee from University Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid, Spain; reference number 0707202116721). The results of this study will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and publication in scientific journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

RBR-9tqr2jt, https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/observador/submissao/sumario/11551.

Risk Factors to Persistent Pain Following Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) injury is one of the major causes of persistent pain. Objective: This systematic literature review explored the factors that lead to persistent pain following a MSK injury in the general population, including athletes. Methods: A primary literature search of five electronic databases was performed to identify cohort, prospective, and longitudinal trials. Studies of adults who diagnosed with a MSK injury, such as sprains, strains or trauma, were included. Results: Eighteen studies involving 5372 participants were included in this review. Participants’ ages ranged from 18–95 years. Most of the included studies were of prospective longitudinal design. Participants had a variety of MSK injuries (traumatic and non-traumatic) causing persistent pain. Multiple factors were identified as influencing the development of persistent pain following a MSK injury, including high pain intensity at baseline, post-traumatic stress syndrome, presence of medical comorbidities, and fear of movement. Scarcity of existing literature and the heterogeneity of the studies made meta-analysis not possible. Conclusions: This systematic review highlighted factors that might help predict persistent pain and disability following MSK injury in the general population, including athletes. Identification of these factors may help clinicians and other health care providers prevent the development of persistent pain following a MSK injury.

A Meta-analysis of the Associations of Elements of the Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain with Negative Affect, Depression, Anxiety, Pain-related Disability and Pain Intensity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Biopsychosocial conceptualizations of clinical pain conditions recognize the multi-faceted nature of pain experience and its intersection with mental health. A primary cognitive-behavioral framework is the Fear-Avoidance Model, which posits that pain catastrophizing and fear of pain (including avoidance, cognitions, and physiological reactivity) are key antecedents to, and drivers of, pain intensity and disability, in addition to pain-related psychological distress. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the magnitude of the cross-sectional association between the primary components of the Fear-Avoidance Model (pain catastrophizing, fear of pain, pain vigilance) with negative affect, anxiety, depression, pain intensity, and disabilities in studies of clinical pain.

DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT

A search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases resulted in 335 studies that were evaluated in this meta-analytic review, which represented 65,340 participants.

RESULTS

Results from the random effect models indicated a positive, medium- to large-sized association between fear of pain, pain catastrophizing, and pain vigilance measures and outcomes (pain-related negative affect, anxiety, depression and pain-related disability), and medium-sized associations with pain intensity. Fear of pain measurement type was a significant moderator of effects across all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide empirical support, aligned with the components of the Fear-Avoidance Model, for the relevance of both pain catastrophizing and fear of pain to the pain experience and its intersection with mental health. Implications for the conceptualization of the pain catastrophizing and fear of pain construct and its measurement are discussed.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Pain Sensitization After Whiplash Injury: A Longitudinal Cohort Study With Quantitative Sensory Testing

Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are common after whiplash injury and are associated with poor recovery. The acute stress response may lead to pain sensitization and widespread pain, thereby compromising recovery. To our knowledge, no longitudinal study has assessed the associations between early PTSS and pain sensitization over time using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The aim of this study was to compare participants with different levels of PTSS, as measured by the impact of event scale (IES; subclinical 0–8, mild 9–25, and clinical ≥ 26) at baseline (<10-day post-injury) and at a follow-up of 1, 3, 6, and 12-month post-injury on pain sensitivity, neck mobility, pain distribution, and pain intensity. In total, 740 participants were recruited from emergency units or general practitioners with acute neck pain after a whiplash injury. The clinical PTSS group showed increased pain sensitivity on all QSTs at all time points compared to the subclinical PTSS group. Also, the clinical PTSS group showed significantly lower neck mobility at all time points except for a 3-month follow-up compared to the subclinical PTSS group. Moreover, the clinical PTSS group showed more widespread pain and self-reported headache and neck pain intensity at all time points compared to the subclinical PTSS group. This study emphasizes that participants with clinical levels of PTSS constitute a high-risk group that is sensitized to pain early after the injury. Hence, screening for PTSS within the 1st week after whiplash injury for those who experience high levels of pain intensity and distress may be an important clinical procedure in the assessment and treatment of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Values-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Prevention of Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Whiplash is a common traffic‐related injury with up to 50% of those affected continuing to experience symptoms one‐year post‐injury. Unfortunately, treatments have not proven highly effective in preventing and treating chronic symptomatology. The overall aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an early values‐based cognitive‐behavioural therapeutic intervention (V‐CBT) delivered within 6 months post‐injury in preventing chronic symptomatology compared to wait list controls.

Methods

The study was a two‐armed randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 91) experienced pain, disability and at least one psychological risk factor (e.g. enhanced pain‐catastrophizing) after a whiplash trauma no later than 6 months prior. Participants were randomized to 10 sessions of V‐CBT starting 1 week (group A) or 3 months (group B) post‐randomization. The primary outcome was pain‐related disability, while secondary outcomes were pain intensity, neck‐pain related disability, depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, pain‐catastrophizing and kinesiophobia. These were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post‐randomization.

Results

At 3 months, group A demonstrated clinically important effects on all outcomes that were significantly better than group B (waitlist). When group B received the intervention at 6 months, they also demonstrated clinically important effects on all outcomes. However, there was a significant difference at 12 months for the primary outcome, in which group B increased their disability levels, while group A remained stable.

Conclusions

While this indicates that an intervention window for early prevention of disability after whiplash injury may exist, this needs to be tested in a truly early intervention.

Significance

An early Values‐based Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic intervention delivered within 6 months post‐injury (mean days 117) was effective in reducing pain‐related disability and psychological distress compared to the control group that received the intervention later after a three months wait‐list period. The effects were sustained at 12 months follow‐up. The early intervention was significantly more effective in reducing pain‐related disability compared to the control group, indicating that an intervention window for early prevention of disability after whiplash injury may exist.

Interpretation Biases in Pain: Validation of Two New Stimulus Sets

Adults with chronic pain interpret ambiguous information in a pain and illness related fashion. However, limitations have been highlighted with traditional experimental paradigms used to measure interpretation biases. Whilst ambiguous scenarios have been developed to measure interpretation biases in adolescents with pain, no scenario sets exist for use with adults. Therefore, the present study: (i) sought to validate a range of ambiguous scenarios suitable for measuring interpretation biases in adults, whilst also allowing for two response formats (forced-choice and free response); and (ii) investigate paradigm efficacy, by assessing the effects of recent pain experiences on task responding. A novel ambiguous scenarios task was administered to adults (N = 241). Participants were presented with 62 ambiguous scenarios comprising 42 that could be interpreted in a pain/pain-illness or non-pain/non-pain illness manner: and 20 control scenarios. Participants generated their own solutions to each scenario (Word Generation Task), then rated how likely they would be to use two researcher-generated solutions to complete each scenario (Likelihood Ratings Task). Participants also rated their subjective experiences of pain in the last 3 months. Tests of reliability, including inter-rater agreement and internal consistency, produced two ambiguous scenario stimulus sets containing 18 and 20 scenarios, respectively. Further analyses revealed adults who reported more recent pain experiences were more likely to endorse the pain/pain-illness solutions in the Likelihood Ratings Task. This study provides two new stimulus sets for use with adults (including control items) in pain research and/or interventions. Results also provide evidence for a negative endorsement bias in adults.

Trajectories of disability in low back pain

Four recovery trajectories from low back pain were identified: high-stable (20.9%), high-decreasing (20.7%), medium-stable (29.9%), and low-decreasing (28.5%). Pain and depression predicted the high-stable trajectory.

Introduction:

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading course of years lived with disability. Unfortunately, not much knowledge exists about distinct trajectories of recovery from disability after LBP and their potential psychological predictors.

Objectives:

Hence, the aim of the present study was to identify trajectories of functional disability in LBP and their potential baseline psychological predictors.

Methods:

A 1-year consecutive cohort (N = 1048) of patients with LBP referred to the Spine Centre if they have not improved satisfactorily from a course of treatment in primary care after 1 to 2 months were assessed by self-report questionnaires at their first visit and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Data from patients who responded to the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire at least twice (N = 747) were used to assess trajectories of functional disability by Latent Growth Mixture Modeling. The following measures were used as baseline predictors of the trajectories: Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scales, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results:

Four distinct trajectories were identified: high-stable (22.0%), high-decreasing (20.4%), medium-stable (29.7%), and low-decreasing (27.9%). Using the low-decreasing trajectory as reference, baseline pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and pain-catastrophizing predicted membership of all 3 symptomatic trajectories. However, using the high-decreasing trajectory as reference, age, baseline pain intensity, and depression were predictors of the high-stable trajectory.

Conclusion:

In particular, the finding of a high-stable trajectory characterized by high levels of baseline psychological distress is of potential clinical importance because psychological distress may be targeted by cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches.

The association of probable PTSD at baseline and pain-related outcomes after chronic pain rehabilitation: A comparison of DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria for PTSD

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with chronic pain. However, different patients are identified depending on the diagnostic system used. Moreover, it is unclear if the conceptualizations of PTSD are differently associated with outcomes of pain rehabilitation. Hence, the aims of the present study were first to explore the prevalence rates and diagnostic agreement of probable PTSD according to the ICD-11 and the DSM-5 screening tools (International Trauma Questionnaire [ITQ] vs. PTSD Checklist [PCL-5]), and secondly, to explore the associations of probable PTSD determined by ITQ and PCL-5 with psychological distress measures at baseline, and thirdly, the associations with pain and disability after pain rehabilitation adjusting for psychological covariates.

METHODS

A consecutive cohort of patients with chronic non-malignant pain (n = 152) referred to a Danish interdisciplinary pain center was assessed at baseline prior to their first visit and at follow-up three days after completed treatment.

RESULTS

The estimated probable PTSD baseline prevalence rates were 15.8% (ITQ) and 16.4% (PCL-5). However, the diagnostic agreement between the PCL-5 and the ITQ was only moderate (k = 0.64). Overall, compared to the ITQ probable PTSD according to the PCL-5 correlated more strongly with psychological distress. Only the ITQ was associated with poorer outcomes after rehabilitation, explaining alone 7-8% of the variance in disability and pain intensity adjusted for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underline the importance of taking the conceptualization and assessment of PTSD into consideration when investigating the impact of PTSD on pain rehabilitation.

SIGNIFICANCE

There is a high prevalence of probable PTSD in patients with chronic pain. However, different patients with probable PTSD are identified depending on the diagnostic system used. Although similar probable PTSD prevalence rates (about 16%) were found using DSM-5 and ICD-11 PTSD screening tools (PCL-5 and ITQ, respectively), the diagnostic agreement between the systems was only moderate (k = 0.64). At the same time, only probable PTSD estimated according to the ITQ and not the PCL-5 was a significant predictor of disability after pain rehabilitation.

Predicting nonrecovery in adults with incident traffic injuries including post-traumatic headache

IMPORTANCE

The management of traffic injuries is challenging for clinicians. Knowledge about predictors of nonrecovery from traffic injuries may help to improve patient care.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a prediction model for self-reported overall nonrecovery from traffic injuries six months post-collision in adults with incident traffic injuries including post-traumatic headache (PTH).

DESIGN

Inception cohort studies of adults with incident traffic injuries (including PTH) injured in traffic collisions between November 1997 and December 1999 in Saskatchewan, Canada; and between January 2004 and January 2005 in Sweden.

METHODS

Prediction model development and geographical external validation.

SETTING

The Saskatchewan cohort (development) was population-based (N = 4,162). The Swedish cohort (validation) (N = 379) were claimants from two insurance companies covering 20% of cars driven in Sweden in 2004.

PARTICIPANTS

All adults injured in traffic collisions who completed a baseline questionnaire within 30 days of collision. Excluded were those hospitalized > 2 days, lost consciousness > 30 min, or reported headache < 3/10 on the numerical rating scale. Follow-up rates for both cohorts were approximately 80%.

PREDICTORS

Baseline sociodemographic, pre-injury, and injury factors.

OUTCOME

Self-reported nonrecovery from all injuries (not "all better (cured)" on the self-perceived recovery scale) six months after traffic collision.

RESULTS

Both cohorts were predominantly female (69.8% in Saskatchewan, 65.2% in Sweden), with median ages 35.9 years (Saskatchewan), and 38.0 years (Sweden). Predictors were age, low back pain, symptoms in arms or hands, hearing problems, sleeping problems, pre-existing headache, and lower recovery expectations. With a positive score (i.e., ≥0.85 probability), the model can rule in the presence of self-reported nonrecovery from all injuries at six months (development: specificity = 91.3%, 95% CI 89.2%-93.0%; sensitivity = 27.8%, 95% CI 26.0%-29.7%; positive likelihood ratio (LR + ) = 3.2, 95% CI 2.5-4.0; negative likelihood ratio (LR-) = 0.79, 95% CI 0.76-0.82; validation: specificity = 72.6%, 95% CI 61.4%-81.5%; sensitivity = 60.5%, 95% CI 53.9%-66.7%); LR+ = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.3; LR- = 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.7).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In adults with incident traffic injuries including PTH, predictors other than those related to baseline head and neck pain drive overall nonrecovery. Developing and testing interventions targeted at the modifiable predictors may help to improve outcomes for adults after traffic collision.

Self-reported traumatic etiology of pain and psychological function in tertiary care pain clinic patients: a collaborative health outcomes information registry (CHOIR) study

Background and aims A sizable body of research has elucidated the significant role of psychological reactions to trauma on pain coping and outcomes. In order to best inform intervention development and clinical care for patients with both trauma and pain at the tertiary care level, greater clarity is needed regarding the magnitude of these effects and the specific pathways through which they may or may not function at the time of first presentation to such a treatment setting. To achieve this, the current study examined the cross-sectional relationships between traumatic etiology of pain, psychological distress (anger, depressive symptoms, and PTSD symptoms), and pain outcomes (pain catastrophizing, physical function, disability status). Methods Using a structural path modeling approach, analyses were conducted using a large sample of individuals with chronic pain (n = 637) seeking new medical evaluation at a tertiary pain management center, using the Collaborative Health Outcomes Information Registry (CHOIR). We hypothesized that the relationships between traumatic etiology of pain and poorer pain outcomes would be mediated by higher levels of psychological distress. Results Our analyses revealed modest relationships between self-reported traumatic etiology of pain and pain catastrophizing, physical function, and disability status. In comparison, there were stronger relationships between indices of psychological distress and pain catastrophizing, but a weaker pattern of associations between psychological distress and physical function and disability measures. Conclusions To the relatively small extent that self-reported traumatic etiology of pain correlates with pain-related outcomes, these relationships appear to be due primarily to the presence of psychiatric symptoms and manifest most notably in the context of psychological responses to pain (i.e. catastrophizing about pain). Implications Findings from this study highlight the need for early intervention for patients with traumatic onset of pain and for clinicians at tertiary pain centers to include more detailed assessments of psychological distress and trauma as a component of comprehensive chronic pain treatment.

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise for chronic whiplash with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Many people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have also symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but this is rarely considered in usual predominantly exercise-based interventions. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of combined trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) and exercise compared with supportive therapy (ST) and exercise for people with chronic WAD and PTSD. A randomised controlled multicentre trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and blinded analysis was conducted. One hundred three participants with chronic WAD (>3 months and <5 years, grade II) and PTSD were randomised to TF-CBT and exercise (n = 53) or ST and exercise (n = 50). Both interventions comprised 10 weeks of TF-CBT or ST, followed by 6 weeks of exercise. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 10, 16 weeks, 6, and 12 months after randomisation. Analysis was intention to treat using linear mixed models. There was no difference between the interventions on the primary outcome of neck pain-related disability at any time point. At 16 weeks, the treatment effect on the 0 to 100 Neck Disability Index was 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.51 to -4.33), at 6 months 1.18 (95% CI 6.15 to -3.78), and at 12 months 1.85 (95% CI 6.81 to -3.11). In addition, there was no difference between the interventions for most secondary outcomes at any time. Exceptions were in favour of TF-CBT and exercise, where improvements in PTSD symptoms were found at 16 weeks. From 16 weeks onwards, both groups achieved a clinically important improvement in neck pain-related disability. However, both groups remained moderately disabled.

The Resurrection of Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation: Outcomes Across a Veterans Affairs Collaborative

OBJECTIVE

Despite empirical support for interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs improving functioning and quality of life, access to this treatment approach has decreased dramatically over the last 20 years within the United States but has grown significantly in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Between 2009 and 2019, VA pain rehabilitation programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities increased 10-fold in the VA, expanding from two to 20. The aim of this collaborative observational evaluation was to examine patient outcomes across a subset of six programs at five sites.

METHODS

Outcomes were assessed using agreed-upon measures of patient-reported pain intensity, pain interference across various domains, pain catastrophizing, and sleep.

RESULTS

A total of 931 patients enrolled in the selected VA interdisciplinary pain programs, with 84.1% of participants completing the full course of treatment. Overall, all programs showed significant improvements from pretreatment to posttreatment in nearly all patient-reported outcomes. The effect sizes ranged from medium to large. Notably, the results demonstrate that positive outcomes were typical despite differences in structure and resources across programs.

CONCLUSIONS

The adverse impacts of opioid use have highlighted the importance of chronic pain treatment approaches that emphasize team-based care focused on functional improvements. This study represents the first and largest analysis of outcomes across chronic pain rehabilitation programs and demonstrates the need for increased access to similar comprehensive approaches to pain management across the health care system. Further, it suggests that a variety of structures may be effective, encouraging flexibility in adopting this interdisciplinary approach.

Somatic Experiencing® for patients with low back pain and comorbid posttraumatic stress symptoms - a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) and comorbid post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are common after traumatic injuries, and a high level of PTSS is associated with more severe pain and pain-related disability. Few randomised controlled trials (RCT) exist targeting comorbid PTSS and chronic pain, and only one has assessed the effect of Somatic Experiencing®.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Somatic Experiencing® (up to 12 sessions) + physiotherapeutic intervention (4-8 sessions) (SE+PT) compared with the physiotherapeutic intervention alone (4-8 sessions) (PT) for pain-related disability in LBP with comorbid PTSS.

METHODS

The study was a two-group RCT in which participants (n = 114) were recruited consecutively from a large Danish Spine Centre. Patients were randomly allocated to either SE+PT or PT alone. Outcomes were collected at baseline before randomisation, 6 and 12-month post-randomisation. The primary outcome was pain-related disability as measured with the modified version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire at 6-month post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes were PTSS, pain intensity, pain-catastrophising, kinesiophobia, anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

No significant group differences were found on any of the outcomes at any timepoints. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in pain-related disability (20-27%) as measured by the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire at 6 and 12-month follow up. Also, both groups achieved a small reduction in PTSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Although significant effects were achieved for both groups, the additional SE intervention did not result in any additional benefits in any of the outcomes.

Association of fear-avoidance and self-efficacy on pain disability in individuals with co-morbid post-traumatic stress and chronic pain

This study investigated relationships between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and pain disability. Fifty people with chronic pain (probable PTSD, n = 22) completed measures assessing pain interference, PTSS, fear avoidance, and pain self-efficacy. We hypothesized that people with probable PTSD would have higher fear avoidance and lower pain self-efficacy; and that PTSS would be indirectly associated with pain disability via fear avoidance and self-efficacy. People with probable PTSD had higher fear avoidance, but there were no differences in self-efficacy, pain severity or disability. There was an indirect association between PTSS and pain disability via fear avoidance, but not via self-efficacy.

Development and validation of a model predicting post-traumatic headache six months after a motor vehicle collision in adults

IMPORTANCE

The prognosis of post-traumatic headache is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a prognostic model to predict the presence of post-traumatic headache six months after a traffic collision in adults with incident post-traumatic headache.

DESIGN

Secondary analyses of adults with incident post-traumatic headache injured in traffic collisions between November 1997 and December 1999 in Saskatchewan, Canada (development cohort); and between January 2004 and January 2005 in Sweden (validation cohort).

SETTING

The Saskatchewan cohort (development) was population-based (N = 4162). The Swedish cohort (validation) (N = 379) were claimants from two insurance companies covering 20 % of cars driven in Sweden in 2004.

PARTICIPANTS

All adults injured in traffic collisions who completed a baseline questionnaire within 30 days of collision. Excluded were those hospitalized >2 days, lost consciousness >30 min, or reported headache <3/10 on the numerical rating scale. Follow-up rates for both cohorts were approximately 80 %.

PREDICTORS

Baseline sociodemographic, pre-injury, and injury factors.

OUTCOME

Self-reported headache pain intensity ≥3 (numerical rating scale) six months after injury.

RESULTS

Both cohorts were predominantly female (69.7 % in Saskatchewan, 65.2 % in Sweden), with median ages 35.9 years (Saskatchewan), and 38.0 years (Sweden). Predictors were age, work status, headache pain intensity, symptoms in arms or hands, dizziness or unsteadiness, stiffness in neck, pre-existing headache, and lower recovery expectations. With a positive score (i.e., ≥0.75 probability), the model can rule in the presence of post-traumatic headache at six months (development: specificity = 99.8 %, 95 % CI 99.5 %-99.9 %; sensitivity = 1.6 %, 95 % CI 1.0 %-2.6 %; positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 8.0, 95 % CI 2.7-24.1; negative likelihood ratio (LR-) = 1.0, 95 % CI 1.0-1.0; validation: specificity = 95.5 %, 95 % CI 91.1 %-97.8 %; sensitivity = 27.2 %, 95 % CI 20.4 %-35.2 %); LR+ = 6.0, 95 % CI 2.8-13.2; LR- = 0.8, 95 % CI 0.7-0.8).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Clinicians can collect patient information on the eight predictors of our model to identify patients that will report ongoing post-traumatic headache six months after a traffic collision. Future research should focus on selecting patients at high risk of poor outcomes (using our model) for inclusion in intervention studies, and determining effective interventions for these patients.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms from Multiple Stressors Predict Chronic Pain in Cancer Survivors

Background: Despite the association between chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the longitudinal course of pain and PTSD during cancer treatment. Objectives: We examined the prevalence of PTSD and chronic pain at three time periods in veterans with a diagnosis of cancer, and the relationship between the experience of pain and PTSD. Methods: Participants (N = 123) with oral-digestive cancers were recruited from the Veterans Healthcare System (age M = 65.31 and SD = 9.13; 98.4% male) and completed face to face interviews at 6, 12, and 18 months post-diagnosis. Measures included the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Stressor-Specific version (PCL-S), Primary care PTSD (PC-PTSD), and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Impact Scale. Results: About one-third (26.8%) of the sample had chronic pain, defined as elevated pain at two time periods. About one-fifth (20.3%) endorsed symptoms of combat-related PTSD at 6 months, and 22.8% endorsed symptoms of cancer-related PTSD, exceeding a clinical cutoff for older adults (12 months = 21.1%, 18 months = 23.1%). Changes over time were observed for cancer-related PTSD symptom clusters of hyperarousal (F = 3.85 and p = 0.023) and emotional numbing (F = 4.06 and p = 0.018) with a statistically significant quadratic function increasing at 18 months. In logistic regression, individuals with both combat and cancer-related PTSD symptoms at six months had 8.49 times higher odds of experiencing chronic pain (χ² = 25.91 and p < 0.001; R² = 0.28). Conclusions: Persisting pain may be a concern in veterans with cancer. Individuals who have experienced traumatic events with persisting PTSD symptoms may be at elevated risk for chronic pain. Veterans with PTSD symptoms from both cancer and combat are at the highest risk to experience chronic pain.

Evaluation of Candidate Items for Severe PTSD Screening for Patients With Chronic Pain: Pilot Data Analysis With the IRT Approach

OBJECTIVES

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occurs with chronic pain. Although PTSD symptoms are associated with negative health outcomes in patients with chronic pain, PTSD is typically under-detected and under-treated in outpatient pain settings. There is a need for rapid, brief screening tools to identify those at greatest risk for severe PTSD symptoms. To achieve that goal, our aim was to use item response theory (IRT) to identify the most informative PTSD symptoms characterizing severe PTSD in patients with chronic pain.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients (71% female, 61% White) with mixed etiology chronic pain completed the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) as part of their appointment with a pain psychologist at a tertiary outpatient pain clinic. We used an IRT approach to evaluate each item's discriminant (a) and severity (b) parameters.

RESULTS

Findings revealed that "feeling upset at reminders" (a = 3.67, b = 2.44) and "avoid thinking or talking about it" (a = 3.61, b = 2.17) as being highly discriminant for severe PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified 2 candidate items for a brief PTSD screener as they were associated with severe PTSD symptoms. These 2 items may provide clinical utility in outpatient pain treatment settings to identify those suffering from severe PTSD, enabling physicians to refer them to trauma-specific evaluation or therapy. Future research is needed to further validate and confirm these candidate PTSD items in a larger clinic sample.

LAY SUMMARY

The current study used the IRT approach to identify candidate items for a brief screener for severe PTSD. We examined 17 items of the PCL-C, and identified 2 items that were highly discriminant for severe PTSD. The 2 items were "feeling upset at reminders" and "avoid thinking or talking about it." These 2 items may provide clinical utility, since they may enable physicians to screen and make a referral for further assessment or treatment for PTSD.

The prevalence of fear avoidance and pain catastrophising amongst patients with chronic neck pain

Background

Cognitive factors impact chronic pain, but the prevalence of fear avoidance (FA) and pain catastrophising (PC) in individuals suffering from chronic neck pain (CNP) has not been investigated in South Africa.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of FA and PC in patients with CNP at private physiotherapy practices in Johannesburg.

Method

The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11) (α = 0.80) and Pain Catastrophising Scale (α = 0.87) self-report questionnaires were used in a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of FA and PC, respectively. Descriptive statistics and correlations using Pearson’s or Spearman’s coefficient were conducted between demographic variables and FA and PC. Non-parametric data were tested using the Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal–Wallis test. Cohen’s d-value or r-value measured strength of associations.

Results

A sample of 106 CNP patients with a mean age of 48.7 years (± 14.8) from 25 randomly selected private practices participated in the study. Of the participants, 81% were women (n = 86). Fear avoidance and PC had a prevalence of 25.5% (n = 27) and 15.1% (n = 16), respectively. A positive correlation was found between FA-11-Total and PC-Total (r = 0.684; p = 0.0001) and between FA (TSK-11-Total and TSK-SF (somatic focus)) and PC and its subscales (r ≥ 0.602; p = 0.0001). Participants with a secondary education (26.0 ± 3.4) showed a higher FA than those with tertiary education (21.9 ± 1.5). Effect size was moderate (Cohen’s d = 0.60). Pain intensity correlated positively with both FA (Pearson’s correlation: r = 0.33; p = 0.001) and PC (Spearman’s correlation; r = 0.39; p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

FA and PC affect a number of patients with CNP. A lower level of education was associated with FA and a higher pain intensity was associated with higher FA and PC.

Clinical implications

Identifying FA and PC in patients with CNP is important to facilitate holistic management.

Evidence-based care in high- and low-risk groups following whiplash injury: a multi-centre inception cohort study

Background

Studies aimed at improving the provision of evidence-based care (EBC) for the management of acute whiplash injuries have been largely successful. However, whether EBC is broadly provided and whether delivery of EBC varies based on risk of non-recovery, is uncertain. Receiving EBC should improve recovery, though this relationship has yet to be established. Further, mitigating the effect of EBC is the relationship with the practitioner, a phenomenon poorly understood in WAD. This study aimed to determine the proportion of individuals with whiplash, at differing baseline risk levels, receiving EBC. This study also aimed to determine whether receiving EBC and the therapeutic relationship were associated with recovery at 3 months post injury.

Methods

Participants with acute whiplash were recruited from public hospital emergency departments, private physiotherapy practices, and State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) databases. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline (demographics, risk of non-recovery) and 3-months (treatment received, risk identification, therapeutic relationship) post injury. Primary health care providers (HCPs) treating these participants also completed questionnaires at 3-months. Recovery was defined as neck disability index ≤4/50 and global perceived effect of ≥4/5.

Results

Two-hundred and twenty-eight people with acute whiplash, and 53 primary care practitioners were recruited. The majority of the cohort reported receiving EBC, with correct application of the Canadian C-spine rule (74%), and provision of active treatments (e.g. 89% receiving advice) high. Non-recommended (passive) treatments were also received by a large proportion of the cohort (e.g. 50% receiving massage). The therapeutic relationship was associated with higher odds of recovery, which was potentially clinically significant (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18–1.62). EBC was not significantly associated with recovery.

Conclusions

Guideline-based knowledge and practice has largely been retained from previous implementation strategies. However, recommendations for routine risk identification and tailored management, and reduction in the provision of passive treatment have not. The therapeutic relationship was identified as one of several important predictors of recovery, suggesting that clinicians must develop rapport and understanding with their patients to improve the likelihood of recovery.

Cancer-Specific Stress and Trajectories of Psychological and Physical Functioning in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most prevalent adult leukemia. The disease is incurable with a cycling of treatment and relapse common. Little is known about the psychological and physical functioning of patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer-specific stress is an important individual difference variable that predicts psychological and physical outcomes.

Purpose

To examine cancer-specific stress at treatment initiation as a predictor of psychological and physical functioning trajectories in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia during the first 5 months of treatment.

Methods

Patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (N = 152) enrolled in a phase II clinical trial completed self-report measures at treatment initiation (baseline), 1, 2, and 5 months of treatment. Cancer-specific stress at baseline was examined as a predictor of psychological (cognitive-affective depressive symptoms, negative mood, mental health quality of life) and physical functioning (fatigue interference, sleep problems, physical health quality of life), controlling for demographic and treatment variables.

Results

Using multilevel modeling, higher baseline cancer-specific stress was related to worse psychological (cognitive-affective depressive symptoms, negative mood, mental health quality of life) and physical functioning (fatigue interference, sleep problems) at baseline and more rapid improvements during the next 5 months. Despite these improvements, higher baseline cancer-specific stress remained associated with poorer 5-month psychological, though not physical, functioning.

Conclusions

Findings suggest cancer-specific stress at treatment initiation may be a risk factor for poorer psychological functioning during treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Relationship Between Level of Catastrophizing and Mental Health Comorbidity in Individuals With Whiplash Injuries

OBJECTIVES

Pain catastrophizing has been shown to be correlated with measures of mental health problems such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the clinical implications of findings reported to date remain unclear. To date, no study has been conducted to determine meaningful cut-scores on measures of catastrophizing indicative of the heightened risk of mental health comorbidity. One objective of the present study was to identify the cut-score on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) indicative of the heightened risk of the comorbidity of depression and PTSD. A second objective was to determine whether mental health comorbidity mediated the relationship between catastrophizing and occupational disability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample consisted of 143 individuals with whiplash injuries. Pain severity, pain catastrophizing, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms were assessed after admission to a rehabilitation program. Mental health comorbidity was operationally defined as obtaining a score above the clinical threshold on measures of depressive and/or post-traumatic stress symptom severity.

RESULTS

A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a PCS score of 22 best distinguished between participants with and without mental health comorbidity. Results also revealed that mental health comorbidity mediated the relationship between catastrophizing and occupational disability.

DISCUSSION

The findings suggest that a score of ≥22 on the PCS should alert clinicians to the possibility that patients might also be experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression or PTSD. Greater attention to the detection and treatment of mental health conditions associated with whiplash injury might contribute to more positive recovery outcomes.

Aberrant resting-state functional connectivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to the anterior insula and its association with fear avoidance belief in chronic neck pain patients

Chronic neck pain (CNP), a global health problem, involves a large amount of psychological and socioeconomic burdens. Not only physical causes but also behavioral disorders such as a fear-avoidance belief (FAB) can associate with the chronicity of neck pain. However, functional brain mechanisms underlying CNP and its related behavioral disorders remain unknown. The aim of the current resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to explore how the functional brain networks differed between CNP patients and age- and sex-matched healthy, pain-free controls (HCs). We also investigated whether these possible brain network changes in CNP patients were associated with fear avoidance belief (FAB) and the intensity of pain. We analyzed the resting-state fMRI data of 20 CNP patients and 20 HCs. FAB and the intensity of pain were assessed by Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of pain. The whole brain analysis showed that CNP patients had significant different functional connectivity (FC) compared with HCs, and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was a core hub of these altered functional networks. Furthermore, general linear model analyses showed that, in CNP patients, the increased FC between the right DLPFC and the right anterior insular cortex (aIC) significantly associated with increased TSK (p = 0.01, statistical significance after Bonferroni correction: p<0.025), and the FC between the right DLPFC and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex had a trend of inverse association with VAS (p = 0.04). Our findings suggest that aberrant FCs between the right DLPFC and aIC associated with CNP and its related FAB.

Punishing the Self: Post-Traumatic Guilt Mediates the Link Between Trauma and Deficient Pain Modulation

Trauma survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), elevated post-traumatic guilt (PG), and alterations in the pain system. However, the association between PG and alterations in pain perception and modulation among trauma survivors has not been established, nor has the possible underlying role of PG. This longitudinal study investigated: 1) the unique contribution of PG in predicting pain perception and modulation, while controlling for PTSD symptoms; and 2) the mediating role of PG in explaining pain perception and modulation among torture survivors, above and beyond PTSD symptoms. Participants were 59 torture survivors and 44 age-matched controls. PG and PTSD symptoms were assessed in 2003 (T1). Heat-pain threshold, heat-pain tolerance, temporal summation of pain (TSP), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were measured 5 years later (T2). Torture survivors had elevated PG and PTSD symptoms, enhanced TSP, and reduced CPM, compared to controls. While PTSD predicted reduced pain tolerance and CPM, PG predicted increased pain tolerance. Moreover, PG mediated the associations between torture and (increased) pain threshold, pain tolerance, and TSP. It appears that PTSD and PG induce opposite effects on the pain modulation capacity of torture survivors, a dichotomy that may explain paradoxical pain responses among trauma survivors, as discussed. PERSPECTIVE: This longitudinal study sheds light on the possible mechanisms underlying variations in pain perception and modulation among trauma survivors. PTSD and PG each mediated opposing pain modulation profiles, suggesting that individual responses to trauma, rather than the trauma itself, influence pain responses.

Is kinesiophobia and pain catastrophising at baseline associated with chronic pain and disability in whiplash-associated disorders? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Kinesiophobia and pain catastrophising may be associated with patients' transition from having acute to chronic pain following a whiplash injury.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and critically appraise the literature to determine whether kinesiophobia and pain catastrophising are associated with greater likelihood of patients developing chronic pain and disability following a whiplash injury.

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches of PubMed, AMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubPsych, and grey literature were undertaken from inception to September 2017.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Study selection was based on longitudinal studies evaluating how kinesiophobia and/or pain catastrophising at baseline are associated with pain intensity, disability or both after a whiplash injury.

RESULTS

We included 14 longitudinal studies that described 12 independent cohorts with a total sample of 2733 participants with whiplash-associated disorder. Kinesiophobia at baseline was not associated with pain intensity over time (three studies). Whether kinesiophobia at baseline was associated with disability was unclear as results were conflicting (six studies). There were also conflicting results when we examined the association between pain catastrophising and both pain intensity (five studies) and disability (eight studies).

SUMMARY/CONCLUSIONS

Kinesiophobia at baseline was not associated with pain intensity over time. There were conflicting results for the remaining analyses. The size of the associations was small. The overall quality of the evidence was very low.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016053864.

Pain and posttraumatic stress disorder in refugees who survived torture: The role of pain catastrophizing and trauma-related beliefs

BACKGROUND

Traumatized refugees with comorbid pain report more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respond less well to PTSD-focused treatments and exhibit greater disability. A mutually maintaining relationship may exist between pain and PTSD, that may be partly accounted for by depression, but no prior studies have tested this assumption in traumatized refugees.

METHOD

Self-report measures of pain, PTSD, depression, disability, pain catastrophizing (PC) and trauma-related beliefs (TRBs) were administered to 197 refugees referred to the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY) prior to treatment. The contribution of pain, depression, PC, and TRBs to the overall variance in PTSD severity was examined. We also examined whether the relationship between pain and PTSD was mediated by PC and TRBs, after controlling for depression.

RESULTS

Depression, pain severity, PC and TRBs together accounted for 66% of the overall variance in PTSD, with depression being the primary contributor (57%). In univariate tests, both PC and TRBs significantly mediated the relationship between pain interference/severity and PTSD. However, after controlling for depression only PC mediated this relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative beliefs about pain and the trauma made small, but additive contributions to the relationship between pain and PTSD severity, after controlling for depression. Longitudinal studies with refugees, involving tests of more complex mutual maintenance models, are warranted.

SIGNIFICANCE

After controlling for symptoms of depression, pain catastrophizing and negative trauma-related beliefs partly mediated the relationship between pain and PTSD in tortured refugees. The results suggest that all three variables are important in a mutual mediation model of pain and PTSD, and as targets for treatment, in traumatized refugees.

Acceptance: a factor to consider in persistent pain after neck trauma

Background and aims

Studies on the interaction between acceptance and pain-related processes after neck trauma are to our knowledge sparse and such treatment strategies are rarely incorporated in management and treatment of posttraumatic neck pain. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate how acceptance relates to persistent pain in patients after neck trauma, when controlling for the influence of other psychological factors, trauma characteristics and demographic variables.

Methods

Consecutive patients with persistent pain and disability after neck trauma (n = 565) were assessed by a multi-professional team at a specialized pain rehabilitation clinic. Separate regression analyses were conducted with three outcomes: pain distribution, pain interference, and pain severity. Predictors were age, sex, education, time since trauma, type of trauma, anxiety, depression, and acceptance.

Results

Acceptance was the only factor associated with all outcomes, and patients with lower acceptance displayed more widespread pain and greater interference and severity of pain. The results also showed that higher depression was associated with worse pain interference and severity, whilst anxiety only mattered significantly for pain severity and not for pain interference. Female sex was related to more widespread pain and greater pain interference.

Conclusions

Overall acceptance stood out as the most important factor for the different outcomes and lower acceptance was associated with more widespread pain distribution and greater pain interference and severity.

Implications

The findings of this study add to a growing body of literature confirming that the development of chronicity after neck trauma should be understood as a multidimensional process, best described by a biopsychosocial model. The results also suggest that psychological factors and especially acceptance might be important processes with implications for enhanced recovery after neck trauma.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Mediate the Effects of Trauma Exposure on Clinical Indicators of Central Sensitization in Patients With Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVE

Evidence supports high rates of co-occurrence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain disorders involving central sensitization (CS). The nature of this relationship, however, remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we aimed to (1) assess how both trauma exposure and current PTSD symptoms are related to clinical manifestations of CS, and (2) test whether PTSD symptoms explain the relationship between trauma exposure and CS. Because experiential avoidance has been shown to impact the relationship between trauma and health outcomes, we (3) explored experiential avoidance as a possible mediator or moderator of the trauma-CS relationship.

METHODS

A sample of 202 adult patients (79% female) with chronic pain completed validated self-report measures of trauma exposure, current PTSD symptoms, experiential avoidance, and 3 manifestations of CS: widespread pain, greater pain severity, and polysomatic symptom reporting. We used path analysis and multivariate regression to assess our study aims.

RESULTS

Both trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with all 3 clinical indicators of CS. PTSD symptoms partially explained the relationship between trauma exposure and widespread pain, pain intensity, and polysomatic symptoms. Experiential avoidance did not mediate or moderate the trauma-CS relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that trauma exposure is linked to elevated clinical markers of CS but a critical factor in this relationship is the mediating effect of current PTSD symptoms.

Attachment insecurity as a vulnerability factor in the development of chronic whiplash associated disorder - A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Attachment theory represents a dynamic model for understanding how pre-existing personality factors may contribute to the development of chronic pain and disability after whiplash injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of attachment insecurity on disability 6-months post-injury. It was hypothesized that: (1) levels of attachment insecurity assessed at baseline would predict levels of disability six months post-injury, and (2) both attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) would moderate associations between pain and disability, and psychological distress and disability.

METHODS

Questionnaire data were collected consecutively from a 1-year cohort of whiplash-injured. Data were collected from the emergency room within 1-month post-injury and at follow up 6-months post-injury (n = 205).

RESULTS

Both attachment dimensions were significantly associated with physical and psychosocial disability. Moreover, when attachment avoidance and attachment axiety were at the mean value (0SD) and high (+1SD), there was a significant positive relationship between pain intensity and disability (physical and psychosocial), with the exception of attachment anxiety, that only moderated the association between pain intensity and psychosocial disability when high. Also, when attachment avoidance and attachment axiety were high there was a significant positive relationship between depression and disability. Finally, when attachment avoidance was at the mean level and high there was a significant positive relationship between pain-catastrophizing and psychosocial disability.

CONCLUSION

Although the effects sizes for the moderations were small, the results support claims that attachment insecurity, measurable before onset of injury, represents a valuable pre-trauma vulnerability for less optimal recovery after whiplash injury.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: Does Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Influence Treatment Outcomes?

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) moderates treatment outcomes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain.

Design

Longitudinal.

Setting

Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.

Subjects

A total of 126 veterans with chronic pain participating in an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for chronic pain. A structured clinical interview was used at baseline to designate PTSD-positive (N = 43) and -negative groups (N = 83).

Methods

Linear mixed-effects models to determine whether PTSD moderated change in pain interference, pain severity, pain acceptance, depressive symptoms, or pain-related anxiety at post-treatment and six-month follow-up.

Results

Participants with co-occurring PTSD reported greater pain interference, pain severity, depressive symptoms, and pain-related anxiety at baseline. PTSD status did not moderate treatment effects post-treatment. Rather, there were significant improvements on all study measures across groups (P &lt; 0.001). PTSD status moderated change in depressive symptoms at six-month follow-up (P &lt; 0.05). Specifically, participants with chronic pain alone demonstrated improvement in depressive symptoms compared with pretreatment levels, whereas participants with PTSD regressed to pretreatment levels.

Conclusions

PTSD status did not significantly affect treatment outcomes, with the exception of depressive symptoms at six-month follow-up. Overall, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain appears helpful for improving outcomes among veterans with co-occurring PTSD; however, veterans with co-occurring PTSD may experience fewer long-term gains compared with those with chronic pain alone.

Assessing the existence of dissociative PTSD in sub-acute patients of whiplash

Numerous studies investigating dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder (D-PTSD) have emerged. However, there is a lack of studies investigating D-PTSD following a wider range of traumatic exposure. Thus, the present study investigates D-PTSD using latent class analysis (LCA) in sub-acute patients of whiplash and associated risk factors. The results of LCA showed a three-class solution primarily distributed according to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and thus no indication of D-PTSD. Dissociative symptoms, psychological distress (i.e. anxiety/depression), and pain severity significantly predicted PTSD severity. Combined, the results support the component model of dissociation and PTSD, while still stressing the importance of dissociative symptoms when planning treatment for PTSD.

Somatic experiencing® for patients with low back pain and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder - protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Research has almost exclusively focused on the neck in order to explain the mechanisms of persistent pain after motor vehicle collisions (MVC). However, studies have shown that low back pain after MVC is as common as neck pain. Also, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after MVCs, and evidence indicate that PTSD may be linked to the development of pain and disability. PTSD has even been proposed as "the missing link" for some in the development of chronic low back pain. Unfortunately, PTSD often goes unattended in low back pain rehabilitation and very few randomized controlled studies exists targeting both conditions. Hence, the aim of the present study is to investigate the potential additional effect of the trauma therapy "Somatic Experiencing®" (SE) in addition to physiotherapy (PT) compared to PT alone for patients with chronic low back pain and comorbid PTSD.

METHODS

The study is a two-group randomized controlled clinical trial in which participants (n = 140) are recruited consecutively from a large Danish spine center in the Region of Southern Denmark, between January 2016 and December 2017. Patients are randomly allocated to one of the two conditions: SE + PT or PT alone. Measurements of effect are carried out at baseline before randomization, post-intervention, 6 and 12 months post-randomization. The primary outcome is a 20% reduction in disability (Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire) at 6 months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes are: PTSD symptoms, pain intensity, pain-catastrophizing, fear of movement, anxiety and depression.

DISCUSSION

Comorbid PTSD is currently not targeted in back pain rehabilitation although highly prevalent. If the SE intervention shows to have an additional effect on disability and pain, the study is likely to have a positive impact on the management of chronic low back pain and will have immediate clinical applicability.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials Registration August 4, 2017: NCT03244046 . Retrospectively registered.