Identification and Characterization of Pain Processing Patterns Among Patients With Chronic Primary Pain

Abstract

Objectives: To develop individual and effective treatment plans for patients with chronic pain, we aimed to replicate Grolimund and colleagues’ empirical categorization of chronic pain patients on a new and larger sample. Moreover, this work aimed to extend previous knowledge by considering various treatment outcomes and exploratorily analyzing which coping skills might be particularly relevant for treatment success in each subtype. Materials and Methods: Latent class analysis was used to identify homogenous subtypes with different pain processing patterns using the pain processing questionnaire (FESV). Results: By analyzing 602 inpatients with chronic primary pain, we identified 3 subtypes: (1) severely burdened individuals with low coping skills, (2) mildly burdened individuals with high coping skills, and (3) moderately burdened individuals with moderate coping skills. Pain interference, psychological distress, and cognitive and behavioral coping skills improved after treatment in all subtypes. Pain-related mental interference significantly improved only in subtypes (1) and (3). Only individuals of subtype (3) reported significant reductions in pain intensity after treatment. Exploratory regression analysis suggested that of subtype (1), the most promising targets in reducing pain interference and psychological distress posttreatment might be to foster relaxation techniques, counteractive activities, and cognitive restructuring. None of the FESV dimensions significantly predicted treatment outcomes among individuals of subtype (2). Individuals of subtype (3) might benefit the most from experiencing more competence during treatment. Discussion: Our findings highlight the importance of identifying and characterizing subtypes of chronic primary pain patients and that these subtypes should be considered for individualized and effective treatment.

Perceived Health Benefits in Vestibular Schwannoma Patients with Long-Term Postoperative Headache: Insights from Personality Traits and Pain Coping—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Negative affect is likely the most frequently evaluated psychological aspect in individuals with persistent pain. Additionally, emotional strain and psychosocial tension have demonstrated a propensity to escalate the chances of transitioning from acute to chronic musculoskeletal pain [41]. Our results align with the idea that individuals exhibiting specific personality traits, including reduced extraversion, emotional stability, and openness, are more susceptible to the development of POHs following microsurgery.…”

“…Furthermore, actionplanning competence scores exhibited a positive correlation with increased physical health scores in the GBI. Scheidegger et al [41] analyzed 602 chronic primary pain inpatients and revealed three subtypes: (1) severely burdened individuals with low coping skills, (2) mildly burdened individuals with high coping skills, and (3) moderately burdened individuals with moderate coping skills. All subtypes showed improved pain interference, psychological distress, and coping skills after treatment.…”

Perceived Health Benefits in Vestibular Schwannoma Patients with Long-term Postoperative Headache: Insights from Personality Traits and Pain Coping – a cross-sectional study

“…Furthermore, action-planning competence scores exhibited a positive correlation with increased physical health scores in the GBI. Scheidegger et al [41] analyzed 602 chronic primary pain inpatients and revealed three subtypes: 1) severely burdened individuals with low coping skills, 2) mildly burdened individuals with high coping skills, and 3) moderately burdened individuals with moderate coping skills. All subtypes showed improved pain interference, psychological distress, and coping skills after treatment.…”