Classification of patients with whiplash associated disorders (WAD): reliable and valid subgroups based on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-S)

Relationships Between Function, Pain Severity and Psychological and Cognitive Levels in People With Chronic Neck Pain: Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain and functional levels with pain catastrophizing, rumination, decision-making, and critical thinking in people with chronic neck pain.

METHODS

The study included 62 patients with chronic neck pain who had presented to a physiotherapy center with pain complaints for at least 3 months. The visual analog scale for pain severity, the Neck Disability Index for functional level, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Ruminative Thinking Scale, the Melbourne Decision-Making Scale I-II, and the Marmara Critical Thinking Inventory were used for assessments.

RESULTS

Activity pain, night pain, and disability were positively correlated with rumination (rho: 0.368, p = .003; rho: 0.423, p = <.001; rho = 0.334, p = .008). There was a positive correlation between night pain, disability, and pain catastrophizing (rho = 0.298, p = .019; rho = .434 p < .001). A negative correlation was observed between patients' pain severity and disability with critical thinking scores (rho = -0.393, p = .002; rho = -0.377 p = .003, rho = -0.428 p < .001, rho = -0.441 p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggested that there were positive correlations between pain severity and disability with rumination and pain catastrophizing. Additionally, chronic neck pain was found to have negative correlations with critical thinking scores, indicating potential impacts on cognitive processes. These findings may provide insights into the complex interplay between chronic pain and psychological factors, which can inform the development of interventions to enhance chronic pain management.

Biopsychosocial Profiles of Patients With Cardiac Disease in Remote Rehabilitation Processes: Mixed Methods Grounded Theory Approach

Background

Digital development has caused rehabilitation services and rehabilitees to become increasingly interested in using technology as a part of rehabilitation. This study was based on a previously published study that categorized 4 groups of patients with cardiac disease based on different experiences and attitudes toward technology (e-usage groups): feeling outsider, being uninterested, reflecting benefit, and enthusiastic using.

Objective

This study identifies differences in the biopsychosocial profiles of patients with cardiac disease in e-usage groups and deepen the understanding of these profiles in cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods

Focus group interviews and measurements were conducted with 39 patients with coronary heart disease, and the mean age was 54.8 (SD 9.4, range 34-77) years. Quantitative data were gathered during a 12-month rehabilitation period. First, we used analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference test, a t test, or nonparametric tests—Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests—to compare the 4 e-usage groups—feeling outsider, being uninterested, reflecting benefit, and enthusiastic using—in biopsychosocial variables. Second, we compared the results of the 4 e-groups in terms of recommended and reference values. This analysis contained 13 variables related to biomedical, psychological, and social functioning. Finally, we formed biopsychosocial profiles based on the integration of the findings by constant comparative analysis phases through classic grounded theory.

Results

The biomedical variables were larger for waistline (mean difference [MD] 14.2; 95% CI 1.0-27.5; P=.03) and lower for physical fitness (MD −0.72; 95% CI −1.4 to −0.06; P=.03) in the being uninterested group than in the enthusiastic using group. The feeling outsider group had lower physical fitness (MD −55.8; 95% CI −110.7 to −0.92; P=.047) than the enthusiastic using group. For psychosocial variables, such as the degree of self-determination in exercise (MD −7.3; 95% CI −13.5 to −1.1; P=.02), the being uninterested group had lower values than the enthusiastic using group. Social variables such as performing guided tasks in the program (P=.03) and communicating via messages (P=.03) were lower in the feeling outsider group than in the enthusiastic using group. The feeling outsider and being uninterested groups had high-risk lifestyle behaviors, and adherence to the web-based program was low. In contrast, members of the being uninterested group were interested in tracking their physical activity. The reflecting benefit and enthusiastic using groups had low-risk lifestyle behavior and good adherence to web-based interventions; however, the enthusiastic using group had low self-efficacy in exercise. These profiles showed how individuals reflected their lifestyle risk factors differently. We renamed the 4 groups as building self-awareness, increasing engagement, maintaining a healthy lifestyle balance, and strengthening self-confidence.

Conclusions

The results facilitate more effective and meaningful personalization guidance and inform the remote rehabilitation. Professionals can tailor individual web-based lifestyle risk interventions using these biopsychosocial profiles.

Opioid Prescriptions in Chronic Pain Rehabilitation. A Prospective Study on the Prevalence and Association between Individual Patient Characteristics and Opioids

While against recommendations, long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain is common. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of opioid prescriptions and to study the association of patient characteristics (demographics, pain characteristics, anxiety, depressive symptoms and pain coping) with future LTOT. The sample included N = 1334 chronic musculoskeletal pain patients, aged 18–65, who were assessed for Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Rehabilitation (IMMR) in Swedish specialist rehabilitation. Prescriptions were tracked across a two-year target period after assessment. In total, 9100 opioid prescriptions were prescribed to 55% of the sample (M_median = 6, IQR = 14). Prediction of LTOT was analyzed separately for those who did (24%) and did not (76%) receive IMMR. The odds of receiving opioids was similar for these subsamples, after controlling for differences in baseline characteristics. In both samples, there were significant associations between patient characteristics and future opioid prescriptions. Dysfunctional pain coping was a unique predictor of LTOT in those who received IMMR while pain intensity and depressive symptoms were unique predictors in those who did not receive IMMR. The results underscore that opioid treatment is common among patients in chronic pain rehabilitation and relates to pain and psychological factors. Understanding in detail why these factors relate to opioid prescription patterns is an important future study area as it is a prerequisite for better management and fundamental for preventing overuse.

Outcomes of Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Across Subgroups of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory - A Study From the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) is frequently used in the assessment of chronic pain. Three subgroups have been derived from MPI: adaptive coper (AC), dysfunctional (DYS), and interpersonally distressed (ID). The primary aim of this study was to examine whether outcome of Interdisciplinary Multimodal Pain Rehabilitation Programs (IMMRPs) differed across the MPI subgroups.

METHODS

Patients with chronic pain (N = 34,513), included in the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation, were classified into MPI subgroups and a subset that participated in IMMRPs (N = 13,419) was used to examine overall treatment outcomes using a previously established Multivariate Improvement Score (MIS) and 2 retrospective patient-evaluated benefits from treatment.

RESULTS

The subgroups differed on sociodemographic characteristics, pain duration, and spatial spreading of pain. DYS and ID had the best overall outcomes to MIS. AC had the best outcomes according to the 2 retrospective items. Transition into other subgroups following IMMRP was common and most prominent in DYS and least prominent in AC.

CONCLUSION

The validity of the MPI subgroups was partially confirmed. DYS and ID had the most severe clinical presentations at baseline and showed most improvement following IMMRP, but overall severity in DYS and ID at post-treatment was still higher than in the AC group. Future studies should examine how processes captured by MPI interact with neurobiological, medical, sociodemographic, and adaptation/coping factors and how these interactions impact severity of chronic pain and treatment outcome.

Neck-specific exercise for radiating pain and neurological deficits in chronic whiplash, a 1-year follow-up of a randomised clinical trial

Up to 90% of people with neurological deficits following whiplash injury report chronic symptoms. A recent unique study of neck-specific exercise showed positive results (post-intervention at 12 weeks), regarding arm pain and neurological deficits in people with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). This 1-year follow-up of that randomised controlled study with assessor blinding aimed to examine whether neck-specific exercise with (NSEB) or without (NSE) a behavioural approach has long-term benefits over physical activity prescription (PPA) regarding arm pain and neurological deficits (n = 171). Interventions were: NSE, NSEB, or PPA. Follow-up of arm pain, paraesthesia bothersomeness (questionnaires) and clinical neurological tests were performed after 3, 6 and 12 months and analysed with Linear Mixed Models and General Estimating Equations. The NSE and/or NSEB groups reported significantly less pain and paraesthesia bothersomeness as well as higher odds of normal key muscle arm strength and of normal upper limb neural tension over the year (all p < 0.03), compared with PPA. In conclusion, results suggest that neck-specific exercise with or without a behavioural approach may have persisting long term benefits over PPA regarding arm pain and clinical signs associated with neurological deficits in chronic WAD.

Subgroups in chronic low back pain patients - a step toward cluster-based, tailored treatment in inpatient standard care: On the need for precise targeting of treatment for chronic low back pain

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find applicable clusters for the development of different treatment pathways in an inpatient multimodal pain-therapy setting based on the multifaceted nature of CLBP. Methods: Based on data of questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Marburg Questionnaire on Habitual Health Findings (MFHW), quality of life assessment using the Short-Form 12 (SF 12)), a retrospective two-step cluster analysis involving a sample of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients (N=320) was calculated. Subsequently, the clusters were precisely described and compared on the basis of further data collected during the patients' standard care: pain characteristics, socio-demographic data and the general state of health, psychological variables, therapy intensity, and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) data. Results: We found a three-cluster solution: little psychological interference but marginal physical and mental quality of life (Cluster 1); poor well-being, low physical quality of life, and marginal mental quality of life (Cluster 2); and heavy mental strain and marginal physical quality of life (Cluster 3). Conclusions: Similar to previous studies, our results suggest that patients suffering from CLBP differ with regard to the magnitude of mental burden and the presence of physical impairment. These differences ascertain the need for precise targeting of treatment for CLBP. Inpatient pain centers therefore should offer different multimodal therapy pathways and integrate a meaningful triage, taking into account the multifaceted nature of CLBP based on sophisticated knowledge about forms, differences, and relationships among the biopsychosocial components of CLBP.

Predictors before and after multimodal rehabilitation for pain acceptance and engagement in activities at a 1-year follow-up for patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD)-a study based on the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP)

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Studies have shown that pain acceptance strategies related to psychological flexibility are important in the presence of chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the predictors of these strategies have not been studied extensively in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to predict chronic pain acceptance and engagement in activities at 1-year follow-up with pain intensity, fear of movement, perceived responses from significant others, outcome expectancies, and demographic variables in patients with WAD before and after multimodal rehabilitation (MMR).

STUDY DESIGN

The design of this investigation was a cohort study with 1-year postrehabilitation follow-up.

STUDY SETTING

The subjects participated in MMR at a Swedish rehabilitation clinic during 2009-2015.

PATIENT SAMPLE

The patients had experienced a whiplash trauma (WAD grade I-II) and were suffering from pain and reduced functionality. A total of 386 participants were included: 297 fulfilled the postrehabilitation measures, and 177 were followed up at 1 year after MMR.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Demographic variables, pain intensity, fear of movement, perceived responses from significant others, and outcome expectations were measured at the start and after MMR. Chronic pain acceptance and engagement in activities were measured at follow-up.

METHODS

The data were obtained from a Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRPR).

RESULTS

Outcome expectancies of recovery, supporting and distracting responses of significant others, and fear of (re)injury and movement before MMR were significant predictors of engagement in activities at follow-up. Pain intensity and fear of (re)injury and movement after MMR significantly predicted engagement in activities at follow-up. Supporting responses of significant others and fear of (re)injury and movement before MMR were significant predictors of pain acceptance at the 1-year follow-up. Solicitous responses of significant others and fear of (re)injury and movement at postrehabilitation significantly predicted pain acceptance at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

For engagement in activities and pain acceptance, the fear of movement appears to emerge as the strongest predictor, but patients' perceived reactions from their spouses need to be considered in planning the management of WAD.

General Exercise Does Not Improve Long-Term Pain and Disability in Individuals With Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Systematic Review

Study Design Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Background General exercise, defined as purposeful physical activity involving repetitive exercises and incorporating multiple muscle groups, is frequently used in the management of whiplash-associated disorders (WADs). Evidence supporting its efficacy is not well established. Objectives To determine whether general exercise is effective in reducing pain and disability in people with WAD. Methods Studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals between January 1990 and May 2015 were eligible if they evaluated a general exercise intervention compared with a different intervention or control. Studies were required to evaluate pain and disability at medium-term (6-14 weeks) and long-term (52 weeks) follow-ups. The mean ± SD and sample size were recorded for follow-up scores and for change scores from baseline to follow-up. Results Of the 3 high-quality studies that were eligible for inclusion, none investigated general exercise alone. There were no clinically meaningful differences between comprehensive exercise programs, which included general exercise, and minimal intervention controls in the medium and long term. No studies directly compared general exercise with a no-treatment control. All included studies used different control interventions, preventing meta-analysis. Conclusion A lack of significant long-term improvements from general exercise interventions in individuals with WAD was identified. This finding differs from the positive benefits of general exercise for other musculoskeletal conditions. This may, in part, relate to the complexity of whiplash conditions. This may also reflect the challenge of exercise prescription in this population, where the need for sufficient intensity is balanced against the impact that exercise has on pain. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(7):472-480. Epub 16 Jun 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7081.

The Relation between the Fear-Avoidance Model and Constructs from the Social Cognitive Theory in Acute WAD

In the fear-avoidance (FA) model social cognitive constructs could add to explaining the disabling process in whiplash associated disorder (WAD). The aim was to exemplify the possible input from Social Cognitive Theory on the FA model. Specifically the role of functional self-efficacy and perceived responses from a spouse/intimate partner was studied. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used. Data from 64 patients with acute WAD were used. Measures were pain intensity measured with a numerical rating scale, the Pain Disability Index, support, punishing responses, solicitous responses, and distracting responses subscales from the Multidimensional Pain Inventory, the Catastrophizing subscale from the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. Bivariate correlational, simple linear regression, and multiple regression analyses were used. In the statistical prediction models high pain intensity indicated high punishing responses, which indicated high catastrophizing. High catastrophizing indicated high fear of movement, which indicated low self-efficacy. Low self-efficacy indicated high disability, which indicated high pain intensity. All independent variables together explained 66.4% of the variance in pain disability, p < 0.001. Results suggest a possible link between one aspect of the social environment, perceived punishing responses from a spouse/intimate partner, pain intensity, and catastrophizing. Further, results support a mediating role of self-efficacy between fear of movement and disability in WAD.

Effect of verbal persuasion on self-efficacy for pain-related diagnostic sensory testing in individuals with chronic neck pain and healthy controls - a randomized, controlled trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in cold pain threshold (CTh), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cold pain tolerance (CPTo) tests, and the level of self-efficacy when self-efficacy for diagnostic sensory testing was manipulated by verbal persuasion before a testing situation in persons with neck pain and in healthy controls. A randomized experimental design was used. Twenty-one healthy volunteers and 22 individuals with either traumatic or nontraumatic chronic neck pain were recruited to participate in the study. The intervention consisted of two experimental verbal persuasion conditions: Increase self-efficacy and Decrease self-efficacy. The PPT was measured using a pressure algometer, the CTh was measured using a thermo test system, and CPTo was measured by submerging the participant’s hand in ice water up to the elbow joint. On three occasions, the participants reported their self-efficacy level in performing the sensory tests. In the chronic neck pain group, there were no differences in pain threshold or tolerance. There was a difference in the self-efficacy level after verbal persuasion between the experimental conditions. In the healthy control group, the CThs increased following the condition that aimed to increase self-efficacy. No other differences were observed in the healthy controls. A short verbal persuasion in the form of manipulative instructions seems to have a marginal effect on the individual’s self-efficacy levels in the chronic neck pain group and a slight influence on the results of sensory testing in healthy controls.

The effect of neck-specific exercise with, or without a behavioral approach, on pain, disability, and self-efficacy in chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare the effect on self-rated pain, disability, and self-efficacy of 3 interventions for the management of chronic whiplash-associated disorders: physiotherapist-led neck-specific exercise (NSE), physiotherapist-led NSE with the addition of a behavioral approach, or Prescription of Physical Activity (PPA).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 216 volunteers with chronic whiplash-associated disorders participated in this randomized, assessor blinded, clinical trial of 3 exercise interventions. Self-rated pain/pain bothersomeness (Visual Analogue Scale), disability (Neck Disability Index), and self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy Scale) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months.

Results:

The proportion of patients reaching substantial reduction in pain bothersomness (at least 50% reduction) was more evident (P<0.01) in the 2 NSE groups (29% to 48%) compared with the PPA group (5%) at 3 months. At 6 months 39% to 44% of the patients in the 2 neck-specific groups and 28% in the PPA group reported substantial pain reduction. Reduction of disability was also larger in the 2 neck-specific exercise groups at both 3 and 6 months (P<0.02). Self-efficacy was only improved in the NSE group without a behavioral approach (P=0.02). However, there were no significant differences in any outcomes between the 2 physiotherapist-led NSE groups.

Discussion:

NSE resulted in superior outcomes compared with PPA in this study, but the observed benefits of adding a behavioral approach to the implementation of exercise in this study were inconclusive.

Effects of Neck-Specific Exercises Compared to Waiting List for Individuals With Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether 3 months of neck-specific exercises (NSEs) could benefit individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) who were on a waiting list (WL) for treatment.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized controlled study.

SETTING

Primary health care.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals (N=41; 31 women, 10 men; mean age ± SD, 38±11.2y) with chronic (6-36mo) WAD, grades 2 and 3, were analyzed.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to NSEs or no treatment for 3 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Neck-specific disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI]), neck pain (visual analog scale), general pain-related disability (Pain Disability Index [PDI]), self-perceived performance ability (Self-Efficacy Scale [SES]), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5 dimensions [EQ-5D]) were measured.

RESULTS

NSEs significantly improved the NDI, SES, and EQ-5D compared with WL (P<.01). There was significant improvement (P<.0001) over time in all outcomes for NSEs, and apart from the PDI, significant worsening (P=.002-.0002) over time for the untreated group.

CONCLUSIONS

NSEs were more beneficial than no intervention while on a WL for individuals with chronic WAD.

An integrative review of self-efficacy and patient recovery post acute injury

AIM

To present an integrative literature review examining the relationship between self-efficacy and patient recovery post acute injury.

BACKGROUND

Self-efficacy is a belief in one's ability to perform a set of actions; the greater a person's confidence, the more likely they will initiate and continue activity that will produce a positive outcome in terms of recovery. Increasingly, research indicates that application of self-efficacy theory into clinical practice is likely to promote recovery in the rehabilitation setting. This review examines self-efficacy in the post acute injury group.

DESIGN

Integrative literature review.

DATA SOURCES

A database search was conducted in PSYCHINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL between 1990-2012.

REVIEW METHODS

Whittemore and Knafl's theoretical framework was used to guide the review in conjunction with a critical appraisal template. Findings from studies were extracted, critically examined and grouped into key themes under factors (interventions) and outcomes relating to self-efficacy.

RESULTS

Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Level of education may be a significant factor related to self-efficacy. Educational, physical and psychological interventions to improve self-efficacy emerged, but few interventions led to significantly enhanced self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was found to influence outcomes, including pain and disability, adherence to discharge instructions, locomotion recovery and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Interventions addressing the connection between physical and psychological health with respect to mood, emotion, stress, fear and anxiety to improve the psychological response to acute injury may enhance self-efficacy and patient recovery.

The clinical utility of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) in characterizing chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorders

PURPOSE

The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) was designed to help capture unique characteristics of chronic pain patients. The present study examined the proportion of subgroups classified by the MPI in a chronic disabling occupational musculoskeletal disorder (CDOMD) patient cohort, and described characteristics of MPI profile groups in terms of other psychosocial variables.

METHODS

A cohort of 1,270 CDOMD patients undergoing an interdisciplinary functional restoration program was studied. Before the start of the program, all patients received a standard psychosocial assessment battery. A MPI computer program scored and identified pre-defined MPI subgroups: Adaptive Coper (AC); Interpersonally Distressed (ID); and Dysfunctional (DYS).

RESULTS

The distribution of MPI profiles for CDOMD patients was similar with those of highly disabled patients, with the largest proportion of patients having the DYS profile (44 %), followed by AC (33 %) and ID (23 %). The DYS profile group showed the highest level of pain severity, and psychosocial distress; the ID group had a moderate level; and the AC profile group had the lowest level. Higher rates of psychiatric disorders were also found in the DYS and ID groups. The DYS profile group was less likely to complete the treatment program.

CONCLUSION

The present study further demonstrated the clinical utility of the MPI classification in a large cohort of CDOMD patients, indicating that the MPI profiles successfully distinguish among patients who may require extra psychosocial attention to achieve successful treatment gains and program completion.

Subgroups based on thermal and pressure pain thresholds in women with chronic whiplash display differences in clinical presentation - an explorative study

PURPOSE

To investigate the presence of subgroups in chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) based on pain thresholds for pressure (PPT), cold (CPT), and heat (HPT) and to compare these subgroups with respect to symptomatology, disability, and health aspects.

METHODS

Two groups of female subjects - patients with chronic WAD (n = 28) and healthy controls (CON; n = 29) - were investigated. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) for thermal thresholds and algometry for PPT at four sites in the body (over the trapezius and tibialis anterior bilaterally) were determined. Habitual pain intensities, psychological strain, disability, and health aspects were registered using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A CLUSTER ANALYSIS BASED ON PPT, CPT, AND HPT IDENTIFIED TWO SUBGROUPS OF CHRONIC WAD: one sensitive subgroup (s-WAD; n = 21), and one less sensitive subgroup (ls-WAD; n = 6). S-WAD displayed widespread hyperalgesia, whereas ls-WAD had localized hyperalgesia in the neck area, with tendencies to supernormal values in remote areas of the body. Generally, s-WAD had a significantly worse situation than the CON with respect to symptomatology, disability, and health aspects. The ls-WAD group was intermediary between s-WAD and CON in these aspects.

CONCLUSION

Different explanations, eg, severity of the pain condition per se, etiological factors, and pre-trauma differences in pain sensitivity, may exist for the differences in pain thresholds between the two subgroups. Future research should investigate the role of pain thresholds in the chronic stage to determine the efficacy of treatment interventions.

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): Responses to pharmacological challenges and psychometric tests

Objectives The present study challenges chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)-subjects to a pharmacological intravenous (i.v.) test with morphine, ketamine, and active placebo (midazolam). The aim was to describe the short-term responses to drugs and the assumed heterogeneity in the patterns of responses. We related the different responder groups to the results from psychometric tests. Methods The study includes 95 patients, all with chronic WAD and referred to our departments. They answered a questionnaire including the following psychometric instruments relevant for chronic pain: Beck Depression Inventory, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Life Satisfaction Checklist, SF36 and EuroQol. The subjects also went through sessions with separate infusions of morphine (0.3 mg/kg), ketamine (0.3 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.05 mg/kg). Infusion time was 30 min followed by a 2-h post-infusion assessment. Assessments were made using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and unpleasantness and by statements of per cent pain relieved. A categorical pain rating scale was also used. A positive response was defined as ≥50% decrease of the VAS-level on two consecutive assessment points during the test sessions, anything less was a non response. The placebo responders were defined as those with a positive response to the active placebo infusion. Results The tests were completed by 94 subjects and 26% of these were placebo responders. Among the placebo non responders, 47% responded to morphine, 41% to ketamine, 25% to both drugs and 37% to neither morphine nor ketamine (pain intensity assessments). Similar proportions were found in the assessments of pain unpleasantness and per cent pain relieved. Approximately one in four subjects (27%, pain intensity assessment) did not respond to any of the drugs tested. This relatively high proportion of non responders seemed to be worst cases in some aspects of the psychometric tests. Generally, this non responder group had a trend to score worse for most items in the psychometric tests with some reaching significance in a univariate analysis. This result was confirmed in a multivariate context, although the results indicated only small differences between the groups. All three substances showed significant pain relief compared to baseline on all assessment points. On most variables, morphine and ketamine were significantly more effective compared to the active placebo. Conclusions There are different subgroups among subjects with chronic WAD with variations in responses to i.v. morphine, ketamine, and midazolam (active placebo). Subjects with chronic WAD who did not respond to any of the drugs tested scored badly in some aspects of the psychometric instruments. Implications The present study confirms one aspect of the heterogeneity in the population with chronic WAD. The study does not elucidate precise pain mechanisms but taken together with other studies exploring other aspects, it stresses the importance of individualizing the assessment and treatment of subjects with chronic WAD. A common clinical experience is that depression, anxiety and maladaptive coping strategies often are obstacles for successful medical treatment of chronic pain. The present study supports this experience and emphasizes the need for assessment of psychometric variables when planning the treatment of chronic WAD.

The role of educational and learning approaches in rehabilitation of whiplash-associated disorders in lessening the transition to chronicity

STUDY DESIGN

The study design was descriptive.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this chapter was to illustrate and discuss educational and learning perspectives in the rehabilitation of patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

WAD is a major problem for the individual and the society. Several treatment options have been studied without giving convincing results for lessening the transition to chronicity. Current management of acute WAD include among other things advice of exercise and educational activities.

METHODS

A literature search on the PubMed database was conducted with additional topic discussions with the research colleagues at a symposium. These resulted the present state-of-the-art review.

RESULTS

There are several possible cognitive factors and behavioral learning processes such as self-efficacy, fear of movement and (re)injury, and catastrophizing that are important to focus on in decreasing acute WAD to becoming a chronic condition. Learning based on behavioral medicine approach in physiotherapy framework has gained evidence in other musculoskeletal pain conditions.

CONCLUSION

Exercise, education, and learning with a behavioral medicine approach should be focused on in the future studies of acute WAD management.

Five years post whiplash injury: Symptoms and psychological factors in recovered versus non-recovered

Background

Few studies have focused on the differences between persons who are recovered after whiplash injury and those who suffer from persistent disability. The primary aim of this study was therefore to examine differences in symptoms, psychological factors and life satisfaction between subjects classified as recovered and those with persistent disability five years after whiplash injury based on the Neck Disability Index (NDI).

Methods

A set of questionnaires was answered by 158 persons (75 men, 83 women) to assess disability (NDI), pain intensity (VAS), whiplash-related symptoms (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, RPQ), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale, IES), depression (Beck's depression inventory, BDI) and life satisfaction (LiSat-11).

The participants were divided into three groups based on the results of the NDI: recovered (34.8%), mild disability (37.3%) and moderate/severe disability (27.3%).

Results

The moderate/severe group reported significantly higher VAS, BDI and IES scores and lower level of physical health and psychological health compared to the mild and the recovered groups. Less significant differences were reported between the mild and the recovered groups.

Conclusions

The group with the highest disability score reported most health problems with pain, symptoms, depression, post-traumatic stress and decreased life satisfaction. These findings indicate that classifying these subjects into subgroups based on disability levels makes it possible to optimize the management and treatment after whiplash injury.

Is surface EMG biofeedback an effective training method for persons with neck and shoulder complaints after whiplash-associated disorders concerning activities of daily living and pain -- a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of surface electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback training as a supplement to an interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme regarding consequences for activities of daily living and pain.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled unblinded trial.

SETTINGS

The study was carried out in a pain unit at a rehabilitation centre.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-five people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders consecutively referred to the pain unit agreed to participate in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group.

INTERVENTION

All participants received interdisciplinary rehabilitation and the treatment group also had four weeks of surface EMG biofeedback training.

MAIN MEASURES

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used at admission discharge and at six-month follow-up to register changes in activities of daily living. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Swedish version, was used at admission and at six-month follow-up to capture the multidimensional aspects of pain.

RESULTS

Sixty-two people completed the study. Both treatment and control groups improved significantly according to the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure at discharge and the results remained after six months (P<0.001). The subscale 'Interference' on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory was significantly decreased at six months for the treatment group (P<0.001). No differences were found between the two groups for activities of daily living (performance P = 0.586; satisfaction P = 0.988) at follow-up or for pain level (P = 0.914), indicating no additional effect of the surface EMG biofeedback training.

CONCLUSION

In this study there was no support for the effectiveness of surface EMG biofeedback training as a supplement to an interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme for people with long-lasting pain after whiplash.

Does classification of persons with fibromyalgia into Multidimensional Pain Inventory subgroups detect differences in outcome after a standard chronic pain management program?

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to replicate and validate the empirically derived subgroup classification based on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) in a sample of highly disabled fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Second, it examined how the identified subgroups differed in their response to an intensive, interdisciplinary inpatient pain management program.

METHODS

Participants were 118 persons with FM who experienced persistent pain and were disabled. Subgroup classification was conducted by cluster analysis using MPI subscale scores at entry to the program. At program entry and discharge, participants completed the MPI, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Coping Strategies Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Cluster analysis identified three subgroups in the highly disabled sample that were similar to those described by other studies using less disabled samples of FM. The dysfunctional subgroup (DYS; 36% of the sample) showed the highest level of depression, the interpersonally distressed subgroup (ID; 24%) showed a modest level of depression and the adaptive copers subgroup (AC; 38%) showed the lowest depression scores in the MPI (negative mood), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (mental health), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (depression) and Coping Strategies Questionnaire (catastrophizing). Significant differences in treatment outcome were observed among the three subgroups in terms of reduction of pain severity (as assessed using the MPI). The effect sizes were 1.42 for DYS, 1.32 for AC and 0.62 for ID (P=0.004 for pairwise comparison of ID-AC and P=0.018 for ID-DYS).

DISCUSSION

These findings underscore the importance of assessing individuals' differences in how they adjust to FM.

Cognitive determinants of pain and disability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder: a cross-sectional observational study

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the relative extent to which specific cognitive factors are related to levels of pain and disability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observation study.

SETTING

Three secondary care physiotherapy departments in the Greater Manchester region of the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder referred to the participating departments were invited to take part in the study. In total, 124 patients were invited to participate, and 63 (51%) agreed to do so. Complete data were available for 55 (44%) of those invited to participate in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pain and disability, as assessed by the Neck Disability Index.

RESULTS

Cognitive factors were strongly related to levels of disability (R(2) change=0.39, P<0.001). Specifically, greater catastrophising (beta=0.41, P<0.01) and lower functional self-efficacy beliefs (beta=-0.47, P<0.001) were significantly related to greater levels of disability. Significant univariate correlations were seen between the cognitive factors and current pain intensity. However, no significant associations were seen between the cognitive factors and current pain intensity in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions which aim to reduce catastrophising and enhance functional self-efficacy beliefs should be included alongside conventional physiotherapy interventions when treating patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.

Patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: relationship between clinical and psychological factors and functional health status

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relative contribution of cervical impairments and psychosocial factors to perceived disability among people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

DESIGN

A total of 86 patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders participated in this observational, cross-sectional study. All patients were presented to outpatient physical therapy clinics. All patients completed the neck disability index. Depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and the pain coping and cognition list, respectively. Cervical function was assessed by measuring the active range of motion. Stepwise and hierarchical regression analysis was used to estimate the contribution of cervical impairment and psychosocial functions to the variance in neck disability.

RESULTS

Depressive symptomatology and catastrophizing explained 61% of the variance in neck disability index scores. Catastrophizing explained 57% of the variance in neck disability index scores and 15% of the variance in the sum scores of active cervical rotations.

CONCLUSIONS

Catastrophizing explained the variance in both perceived neck disability and, to a lesser extent, active range of cervical motion, which suggests that pain-related catastrophizing plays an important role in the physical complaints of patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders when referred to a physical therapist.

French translation of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory: L'inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur

BACKGROUND

The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) is a widely used tool in the evaluation of pain conditions. This questionnaire has been translated and validated in multiple languages. However, there is no validated French-language version available for clinicians and researchers interested in evaluating people living with pain.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the present project was to make available a validated French-language evaluation tool for the cognitive, behavioural and emotional aspects of pain.

METHODS

Following a reverse translation of the MPI, a French-language version of the questionnaire, the Inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur, that was presented to 227 participants living with chronic pain, was obtained. These participants were all involved in a rehabilitation program in four different settings. A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses was executed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Although three items were removed from the original version of the MPI, the three sections of the Inventaire multidimensionnel de la douleur had good psychometric properties. The results concerning the questionnaire's structure were very similar to those obtained with the original tool and during its translation into other languages. People wishing to evaluate pain in French-speaking populations now have access to a French-language version of the MPI.

Life satisfaction in patients with long-term non-malignant pain - relating LiSat-11 to the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI)

BACKGROUND

The West-Haven Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) can be used to describe behavioural and psychosocial consequences of long-term pain but little is known about how MPI items and MPI subgroups relate to goals that patients find important in rehabilitation. Life satisfaction measured by the LiSat-11 checklist can be defined as an individual's perception of the difference between his reality and his needs or wants. This difference can be considered a "goal achievement gap". This study investigates the relation of MPI to LiSat-11 with the aim to explore the possibility that LiSat-11 can be used to measure pain rehabilitation outcomes that are important from the patients' view.

METHODS

Participators were patients (n = 294) referred to the Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic in Uppsala, Sweden. Measures used were LiSat-11, MPI and its Swedish version MPI-S. LiSat-11 domains were correlated to MPI scales. Cluster analysis was used to demonstrate MPI-S subgroups. Analysis of variance followed by post-hoc analysis was used to investigate life satisfaction in the three MPI-S subgroups.

RESULTS

The strongest positive correlation were found for the LiSat-11 domains/MPI scales: psychological health/life control and contacts/social activities, and the strongest negative correlation for: psychological health/affective distress, partner relationship/punishing responses, somatic health/interference and leisure/interference. None or only little correlation was found between MPI scale pain severity and most LiSat-11 domains and satisfaction with life as a whole. Among the MPI-S subgroups, adaptive copers generally had better life satisfaction than the dysfunctional and the interpersonally distressed.

CONCLUSION

Pain severity alone is a rather poor predictor of low life satisfaction. MPI and LiSat-11 partly supplement each other as tools to describe how functional impairments relate to life satisfaction domains, which may be relevant for identifying domains which the patients find important to improve. Furthermore, differences in life satisfaction between the MPI-S subgroups may help to identify functional domains that may be of particular importance in specialised rehabilitation programs.

Identifying heterogeneity among injection drug users: a cluster analysis approach

OBJECTIVES

We used cluster analysis to subdivide a population of injection drug users and identify previously unknown behavioral heterogeneity within that population.

METHODS

We applied cluster analysis techniques to data collected in a cross-sectional survey of injection drug users in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The clustering variables we used were based on receptive syringe sharing, ethnicity, and types of drugs injected.

RESULTS

Seven clusters were identified for both male and female injection drug users. Some relationships previously revealed in our study setting, such as the known relationship between Talwin (pentazocine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) use, injection in hotels, and hepatitis C virus prevalence, were confirmed through our cluster analysis approach. Also, relationships between drug use and infection risk not previously observed in our study setting were identified, an example being a cluster of female crystal methamphetamine users who exhibited high-risk behaviors but an absence or low prevalence of blood-borne pathogens.

CONCLUSIONS

Cluster analysis was useful in both confirming relationships previously identified and identifying new ones relevant to public health research and interventions.

Quality of life in subgroups of individuals with whiplash-associated disorders

BACKGROUND

The term whiplash associated disorders (WAD) includes a wide range of complaints, with neck pain as predominating symptom. Living with long term pain influences quality of life. In previous studies of other chronic pain patients, subgrouping has been made according to thermal pain thresholds measured in quantitative sensory testing (QST).

AIMS

The aims of the present study are threefold, (1) to evaluate thermal pain thresholds and health related quality of life in WAD patients compared to healthy pain-free individuals, (2) to explore whether subgrouping of the WAD patients is possible according to thermal pain thresholds over trapezius, and if so (3) to explore differences between the subgroups.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with WAD and 18 healthy pain-free controls took part in the study. Thermal pain thresholds were measured in two sites (over the thenar and the trapezius muscle) using quantitative sensory testing (QST). Health related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the SF-36. The visual analogue scale was used to rate pain intensity and unpleasantness related to the experimental situation.

RESULTS

WAD patients are more sensitive to thermal pain, and scored lower on the SF-36 in all scales when compared with healthy pain-free individuals. After analyzing clusters (K-means algorithm) two subgroups of WAD emerge, pain insensitive and pain sensitive. The pain insensitive group differed significantly from the pain sensitive group in the Role Emotional subscale of SF-36 (p=0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Thermal pain hyperalgesia, especially for cold, seems to be a determinant for subgrouping WAD patients. These results support that such a classification of a heterogenous group could be of importance in tailoring treatment and early interventions.