Interaction between Constant Levels of Low Back Pain and other Psychological Parameters

Abstract

87 subjects with varying intensities of constant low back pain answered a pain questionnaire which included Graphic Rating Scales and took part in a battery of psychological tests (Eysenck Personality Inventory, the Meta-Contrast Technique, the Separation Test, and the Rod-and-Frame Test). This was done to corroborate the relationship found between subjects with different intensities of pain and their experiences of psychological problems. Comparisons are made between subjects with acute and chronic pain and between past pain experiences and the present level of pain. No statistical significant differences on psychological measures were found between subjects with varying intensities of pain, but differences were found for previous pain experiences. All subjects had significant rates of depression and regression. A difference between acute and chronic pain subjects was noted in that significantly more women had chronic pain than did men.