Pain coping but not readiness to change is associated with pretreatment pain-related functioning

The relationship between readiness to change pain-related exercise participation and perceived work ability: a cross-sectional study of factory workers

BACKGROUND

Healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with protection against health disorders and pain. Exercise participation is one such behaviour, associated with improved outcomes in those experiencing pain. Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in the workplace, particularly in factory workers and associated loss of work function is recognised as having a great impact on individuals, society and the economy. A worker's 'readiness to change pain behaviour' is an important factor to consider in achieving a healthy lifestyle behaviour and potentially improved function. This study aimed to examine the relationship between a cohort of factory workers 'readiness to change pain behaviour' such as exercise and their 'perceived work ability'.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used to establish the relationship between 'readiness to change pain behaviours' and 'perceived work ability'. The Multidimensional Pain Related Change Questionnaire 2 (MPRCQ2) was used to measure readiness to change various pain behaviours including exercise. The Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to assess 'perceived work ability'. Seventy-five factory workers, aged over 18 (66 male, 9 female) were recruited using convenience sampling between September-November 2019. Correlation and multiple regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Mean WAI, MPRCQ2 and MPRCQ2 exercise component were 41.89 (SD 5.28), 4.26 (SD 1.01) and 4.40 (SD 1.69). MPRCQ2 and MPRCQ2 exercise component were not significant predictors of WAI in factory workers (F (2, 72) = 2.17, p > 0.001). There was no significant relationship between MPRCQ2 and WAI (rs = .09, p > .05). However, there was a significant positive relationship between MPRCQ2 exercise component and WAI (rs = .23, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that readiness to change pain-related exercise participation has a positive association with 'perceived work ability'. Further research should explore the causal relationship and consider strength training as a specific type of exercise.

A Cross-Cultural Validation of the Multidimensional Pain Readiness to Change Questionnaire 2 for Japanese Individuals With Chronic Pain

OBJECTIVES

The Multidimensional Pain Readiness to Change Questionnaire 2 (MPRCQ2) is a reliable and valid measure that assesses readiness to adopt a variety of discrete pain self-management responses. We sought to translate and evaluate psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the MPRCQ2 (MPRCQ2-J) in individuals with chronic pain.

METHODS

One hundred seventy-three individuals with chronic pain were asked to complete the MPRCQ2-J, as well as measures assessing pain intensity, pain interference, self-efficacy, and general readiness to adopt a self-management approach for pain. Forty-eight of these participants provided additional MPRCQ2-J data to assess test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

The findings supported a 2-factor structure of the MPRCQ2-J when error covariances between the some of the nine primary scales were allowed. Adequate internal consistencies of the MPRCQ2-J scales (Cronbach's α ranged 0.71 to 0.86), except for the total score (α = 0.68), were observed. However, adequate test-retest reliabilities (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥ 0.60) were found for only 59% of the MPRCQ2-J scales. The MPRCQ2-J evidenced its construct validity via confirmation of the predicted patterns of associations with validity criterion measures and the anticipated effects of participation in an exercise treatment.

DISCUSSION

The findings support the internal consistency (except for the total score) and construct validity for MPRCQ2-J scales. However, potential limitations with respect to test-retest reliability of some of the scales were also suggested. The MPRCQ2-J can be used to examine the role that specific readiness domains of pain self-management responses may play in an adjustment process in Japanese individuals with chronic pain.

How variability in pain and pain coping relate to pain interference during multistage ultramarathons

An important and substantial body of literature has established that maladaptive and adaptive coping strategies significantly impact pain-related outcomes. This literature, however, is based primarily on populations with painful injuries and illnesses. Little is known about coping in individuals who experience pain in other contexts and whether coping impacts outcomes in the same way. In an effort to better understand pain coping in such contexts, this study evaluated pain coping in ultramarathon runners, a population known to experience moderate levels of pain with minimal perceived negative effects. This study reports on pain coping in 204 entrants in 2016 RacingThePlanet multistage ultramarathon events. Participants provided data over 5 consecutive days on pain severity, pain interference, exertion, and coping. Results demonstrated that the study participants were more likely to use adaptive than maladaptive coping responses. However, maladaptive coping, but not adaptive coping, was positively associated with percent time spent thinking about pain and pain-related interference. Taken together, the study supports the idea that this high functioning group of individuals experiencing pain emphasizes the use of adaptive coping strategies over maladaptive strategies, reinforcing the perspective that such a pattern may be the most effective way to cope with pain. Within the group, however, results supported traditional patterns, such that greater use of maladaptive strategies was associated with greater pain-related interference, suggesting that optimizing pain coping may be critical to reducing factors that may interfere with ultramarathon performance.

Behavioral Therapy Approaches for the Management of Low Back Pain: An Up-To-Date Systematic Review

Low back pain is one of the most common causes for seeking medical treatment and it is estimated that one in two people will experience low back pain at some point during their lifetimes. Management of low back pain includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Non-pharmaceutical treatments include interventions such as acupuncture, spinal manipulation, and psychotherapy. The latter is especially important as patients who suffer from low back pain often have impaired quality of life and also suffer from depression. Depressive symptoms can appear because back pain limits patients’ ability to work and engage in their usual social activities. The aim of this systematic review was to overview the behavioral approaches that can be used in the management of patients with low back pain. Approaches such as electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction are discussed as non-pharmacological options in the management of low back pain.