The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society
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We examined the influence of negative psychological factors (catastrophizing, distress and kinesiophobia) on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) intensity, cervical function (strength and range of motion) and on daily activities (ADL), and the suitability of an exercise protocol designed to induce DOMS within the cervical region. Psychological factors and cervical function were assessed in 86 healthy participants at baseline before applying a DOMS provocation protocol in the cervical flexor muscles. After 24hour, cervical function was reassessed. ⋯ Psychological distress (anxiety and depression), but not kinesiophobia and catastrophism, predicted a loss of cervical strength (explained 43% of the variance) and range of motion (explained 22% of the variance) after induction of DOMS. In addition, participants' anxiety level predicted DOMS intensity at 24hour (explained 19% of the variance). PERSPECTIVE: The present findings highlight the relevance of evaluating psychological distress as a preventive/therapeutic measure, given that high levels of distress could lead to more intense and disabling pain in acute injuries, and all these aspects are considered risk factors for the chronification of symptoms.
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This second paper in a 3-part series on antiracism in pain research across the translational spectrum focuses on study design factors. Although objectivity is a cornerstone value of science, subjectivity is embedded in every step of the research process as investigators make choices about who they collaborate with, which research questions they ask, how they recruit participants, which research tools they use, and how they analyze and interpret data. We present theory and evidence from disciplines such as sociology, medical anthropology, statistics, and public health to discuss 4 common study design factors, including 1) the dominant biomedical narrative of pain that restricts funding and exploration of social indicators of pain, 2) low diversity and inclusion in pain research enrollment that restricts generalizability to racialized groups, 3) the use of "race" or "ethnicity" as a statistical variable and proxy for lived experiences (eg, racism, resilience), and 4) limited modeling in preclinical research for the impact of social factors on pain physiology. ⋯ PERSPECTIVE: This is the second paper in a 3-part series on antiracism in pain research. This part identifies common study design factors that risk hindering progress toward pain care equity. We suggest reframes using an antiracism framework for these factors to encourage all pain investigators to collectively make strides toward equity.
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The goal of this study was to understand perspectives on whether a new diagnostic entity, distinct from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5 (DSM-5) opioid use disorder (OUD), is needed for patients with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Data were collected as part of a larger Delphi study. We used rapid and thematic qualitative methods to analyze data from 51 panelists with expertise in internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and related fields. ⋯ While this expert panel disagreed about the need for a new diagnostic entity, there was an overall acknowledgement that the current implementation of DSM-5's OUD diagnosis is not meeting the needs of LTOT providers or patients. PERSPECTIVE: The DSM-5's OUD diagnosis may not adequately meet the needs of patients on LTOT for whom the harms of continued opioid therapy outweigh the benefits. Experts do not agree on how to address this problem; more work is needed to determine if a new diagnostic entity would be beneficial.
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This third paper in the "Confronting Racism in All Forms of Pain Research" series discusses adopting an antiracism framework across all pain research disciplines and highlights the significant benefits of doing so. We build upon the previous call to action and the proposed reframing of study designs articulated in the other papers in the series and seek to confront and eradicate racism through a shared commitment to change current research practices. Specifically, we emphasize the systematic disadvantage created by racialization (ie, the Eurocentric social and political process of ascribing racialized identities to a relationship, social practice, or group) and discuss how engaging communities in partnership can increase the participation of racialized groups in research studies and enrich the knowledge gained. ⋯ Although this shift may be challenging in some cases, the increase in equity, generalizability, and credibility of the data produced will expand our knowledge and reflect the pain experiences of all communities more accurately. PERSPECTIVE: In this third paper in our series, we advocate for a shared commitment toward an antiracism framework in pain research. We identify community partnerships, diversification of research environments, and changes to our dissemination practices as areas where oppressive forms of power can be reduced.
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Cognitive factors are thought to contribute and maintain pain experiences in young people. However, most of these factors have been assessed in isolation. Considering more than 1 cognitive factor could increase explanatory power and identify multiple targets for intervention. ⋯ These findings require replication in broader age ranges and clinical samples but potentially suggest that, measuring multiple cognitive factors increases explanatory power of youth pain outcomes. PERSPECTIVE: Weak attention control following exposure to pain cues and tendencies to endorse threat interpretations, uniquely and additively associate with self-reported pain experiences and pain catastrophizing in community youth. Measuring several cognitive factors simultaneously could improve our ability to explain pain outcomes in adolescent populations.