Dimensions and components of observed chronic pain behavior

Abstract

 

This study is a replication of a study done by Turk et al. [28] but under different conditions. It is an attempt to empirically examine the dimensions and components of overt and observable chronic pain behavior. A broader definition of pain behavior is chosen, namely the interaction between the pain patient and his or her direct environment. The results suggest that pain behavior can be characterized by 3 dimensions: withdrawal-approach, high arousal-low arousal and visible-audible. Furthermore, chronic pain behavior seems to be composed of at least 9 components: anxiety, attention seeking, verbal pain complaints, medication use, general verbal complaints, distorted posture and mobility, fatigue, insomnia, and depressive mood. More dimensions and components were discovered than in the study by Turk and his colleagues. However, they correspond with the variety of psychosocial problems associated with the chronic pain syndrome. This information seems to provide a useful basis for the development of an observational measurement technique for chronic pain.