The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of optimism in the quality of life of patients with musculoskeletal problems that were referred to Amfilohia Rehabilitation Center, because of chronic pain and kinetic difficulties. The sample consisted of 96 patients. The questionnaires that were used are the short form health questionnaire (12 questions; SF12), the life orientation test-revised (LOT-R) and a VAS scale for pain measurement. According to the regression analysis performed, dispositional optimism is an independent factor affecting both the physical (β=.249, p<.005) and mental composite score (β=.414, p<.0001) in patients with musculoskeletal problems, even after controlling for the effect of pain intensity.Keywords Pain . Musculoskeletal disorders . Health related quality of life .

IntroductionPsychological factors are predictive of long term disability for many pain syndromes as well as for pain severity emotional distress and treatment seeking. It is known that fear of pain leads to avoidance of pain-related experiences and contributes to disability.AimsTo determine if there is a significant relationship between optimism/ pessimism, HRQOL and pain in a group of musculoskeletal patients referred to a rehabilitation center, because of chronic pain and mobility difficulties when controlling for fear of pain and pain reduction coping strategies.MethodsThe sample consisted of 96 patients. The questionnaires that were used are the Short Form health questionnaire (12 questions; SF12), the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS), the life orientation test-revised (LOT-R) and a VAS scale for pain measurement. Two separate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of optimism on each of the two main domains of SF12 with optimism entered in the last step of each model.ResultsAccording to the regression analysis performed, dispositional optimism (β = ,284) is an independent factor affecting the mental composite score in patients with musculoskeletal problems, even after controlling for the effect of pain intensity. Pain -related escape and avoidance is the only factor affecting both physical (β = −,300) and mental health (β = −,192).ConclusionsThe consistent indications that fear is associated with the suffering and disability that often accompany pessimistic patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, suggests that clinicians working with these individuals should conduct a careful assessment of fear and avoidance, both pain-related and otherwise.