Abstract

LOPEZ-LOPEZ, A.; MONTORIO CERRATO, I.  and  FERNANDEZ DE TROCONIZ, M. Izal. The role of cognitive-behavioural and sensorial variables to explain functional capacity and pain interference in a sample of older people with chronic pain. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.2, pp.78-88. ISSN 1134-8046.

Objective: The aim of this work is twofold. The first is to analyse how cognitive-behavioural and perceptual variables help to explain functional disability in older people with chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis. The second is to determine how functional disability can help to explain the interference of pain in daily activity and how cognitive-behavioural and sensorial variables contribute to the prediction of interference, once functional capacity is controlled. Material and methods: One hundred and four persons aged over 65 (85.6% women, 14.4% men; 51.9% living in the community, 48.1% nursing homes) were assessed in the variables intensity, frequency and duration of pain, pain beliefs, self-efficacy, coping style, coping strategies, pain behaviours, functional disability and pain interference with daily activities. For each dependent variable, the data were analysed in two stages. Firstly, we employed backward regression analysis, then we carried out hierarchical regression analysis using the variables for which significant differences were found, and controlling for socio-demographic and clinical variables. To predict interference, an additional second step, including functional disability, was added to the equation. Results and conclusions: The results suggest that there is a profile of variables that can help to explain functional disability: advanced age, a high degree of radiological affectation, avoidance behaviours, pain catastrophizing and stability beliefs. With regard to the prediction of pain interference, once the effect of the socio-demographic and clinical variables has been controlled, only self-affirmation and active coping remain significant. Functional capacity loses its predictive significance as soon as the cognitive-behavioural variables are included in the equation. In general, the analyses show the prevailing role of behavioural elements of active coping in the extent to which pain interferes in activity, over and above that of disease-related variables. This highlights the importance of training in these types of strategy in older people with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis.

Keywords : Chronic pain; Disability; Coping; Beliefs; Elderly.

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