• S L Chapman and J S Pemberton.
• Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Clin J Pain. 1994 Dec 1;10(4):267-76.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the ability of specific and clinically relevant Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profile types to predict outcomes in a structured interdisciplinary pain-management program for patients with low back pain.DesignSubjects were divided into clusters representing MMPI profiles yielding similar clinical interpretation. Analyses of variance and chi-square testing assessed the effect of cluster group on a variety of outcome measures at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6- to 66-month follow-up. Fisher's Least Significant Difference Test assessed the significance of differences between pairs of cluster groups.SettingA university-based comprehensive interdisciplinary pain-management program serving both inpatients and outpatients.Patients122 subjects with chronic low back pain who completed the program, provided follow-up data, and fit into the definition of one of seven clusters.Major Outcome MeasuresSelf-reports of subjective pain intensity, pain-related medication intake, and activity level at pretreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up; employment status at pretreatment and follow-up.ResultsCluster groups did not differ significantly at any time on activity level and medication intake and differed on employment status only at pretreatment. There was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of cluster group on subjective pain intensity, but only two pairwise group comparisons were significant: subjects with a normal MMPI profile and those with no elevations except T = 71-80 on Hypochondriasis and Hysteria reported less pain at follow-up than did subjects with extreme elevations (T > 80) on both Hypochondriasis and Hysteria.ConclusionEven when subjects with chronic pain are divided into cluster groups associated with highly similar clinical interpretations, the MMPI for the most part fails to predict self-reported outcomes in an interdisciplinary pain-management program.

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