Measurement of accessibility is a crucial pillar in assessing equity of access to pain treatment, particularly in the context of reducing opioid prescribing in response to rising overdose deaths in the United States.

The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to measure barriers to prescription opioid access among individuals with chronic pain and test its psychometric properties.

This study used a cross-sectional online survey of a convenience sample of adults (>18 years) who reported any type of pain for at least 45 days or more in the previous 3 months. The survey captured demographic characteristics, self-reported medication use characteristics, and measures such as the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form and the PROMIS Global Health measure, along with an item pool of potential questions that measure barriers to opioid access.

Respondents (N = 200) were 89 % women, 86 % White, averaging 45.32 years old (SD:11.79), and reported poor quality life. Two subscales, Access to Care and Patient Concerns, were identified for the Barriers to Opioid Access Scale with good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.909 and 0.835, respectively). In multivariable analyses, the Access to Care subscale was associated with the PROMIS mental health score (-2.44; 95 % CI: -3.77, -1.11), and the Patient Concerns subscale was associated with self-reported frequency of opioid use (-0.70; 95 % CI: -0.99, -0.40).

The newly developed BOAS has the potential to serve as a tool for capturing quality of pain treatment as well as measuring the impact of policy changes on the quality of treatment provided to patients with chronic pain.

BackgroundPregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome (PRCTS) is the most common mononeuropathy during pregnancy.Objectiveto compare the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided steroid injection alone versus wiht splinting on symptom severity on PRCTS.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 37 pregnant women in their third trimester with PRCTS, treated with ultrasound-guided steroid injection of 4 mg dexamethasone into the median nerve (Group I, n = 15), volar splinting in a neutral position while sleeping and during the day whenever possible for at least ten weeks (Group S, n = 12), or both injection and splinting (Group I + S, n = 10). Patient data were collected from hospital records, and symptoms were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Symptom Questionnaire (BCTQ), the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical analyses included Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, descriptive analyses, and power analyses.ResultsDuring the first month of intervention, group S had higher BCTQ scores than the other two groups (p < 0.001). In the postpartum period, the order of scores was Group S > Group I > Group I + S (p < 0.001). The effect size was significant with Partial eta squared = 0.369.ConclusionThe combination of splinting and injection seems to be more effective in the short term period. But still, to validate our findings, Additional randomized controlled trials are recommended.

Chronic pain poses a significant health challenge worldwide and is associated with both disability and reduced quality of life. Sleep disturbances are reported in 67% to 88% of patients with chronic pain. Pain and sleep affect each other reciprocally; we aimed to study this bidirectional relationship in patients treated with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain. Specifically, we investigated whether sleep improves after treatment with SCS and whether this improvement may be mediated by pain reduction.

An observational cohort study was conducted in patients with chronic neuropathic pain treated with SCS at a single neurosurgical department in Denmark. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at three, six, and 12 months postoperatively, and thereafter annually. Primary outcomes were pain intensity (numeric rating scale) and insomnia at first follow-up (Insomnia Severity Index). The association between sleep and pain was investigated using linear regression and mediation analysis.

Forty-three patients were included in the study. The mean insomnia score was reduced by 25% from 18.1 (SD 6.0) to 13.5 (SD 6.6) (p = 0.0001). Pain intensity was reduced 38% from 7.4 (SD 1.6) to 4.6 (SD 2.1) at the first follow-up (p ≤ 0.0001). Changes in pain and changes in insomnia scores were significantly but weakly associated (regression coefficient = 1.3, 95% CI [0.3; 2.2], p = 0.008, r2 = 15.7%); and changes in pain score were not found to mediate changes in sleep score (β = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.15; 0.11], p = 0.76).

We found that patients treated with SCS showed significant improvements in both insomnia and pain intensity at first follow-up. Improvements in insomnia and pain intensity were significantly but weakly associated, and improvements in pain intensity score did not mediate improvements in insomnia score. Thus, improvements in self-reported insomnia in patients treated with SCS for chronic pain may predominantly be caused by other factors than reduced pain intensity.

To examine the characteristics, satisfaction levels and clinical outcomes of rural and remote Australians with chronic pain completing an internet-delivered psychological pain management program (PMP).

Longitudinal routine care cohort study.

An Australian national digital psychology service.

Patients in inner regional locations (n = 401), outer regional and remote locations (n = 198), and major cities (n = 968), who used the service over a 6-year period.

Demographic and clinical data, patient-reported satisfaction and improvements, and meaningful clinical improvements (≥ 30% improvement).

Clinical improvements were observed from pre-treatment to post-treatment in pain-related disability (32% [95% CI: 29, 34]), depression symptoms (44% [95% CI: 39, 49]), anxiety symptoms (43% [95% CI: 39, 47]), and average pain intensity (23% [95% CI: 21, 26]), which were maintained to 3-month follow-up. High levels of satisfaction and treatment completion were also observed. Minor demographic and clinical differences were observed. However, there were similar rates of clinical improvement, treatment satisfaction and treatment completion in all groups.

The current findings further highlight the value of internet-delivered psychological PMPs for Australians with chronic pain living in regional and remote parts of the country. Further work is needed to raise awareness about the availability of these effective programmes and to integrate their use with traditional pain management services.

Low back pain has frequently been mentioned as the most common sort of chronic pain, and numerous studies have confirmed its influence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite a great deal of research demonstrating the important part that psychological factors play in explaining HRQoL, a therapeutic setting that prioritizes the physical domain still predominates. For this reason, the aim of this study is to assess the relationship between age, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, pain-related anxiety, chronic pain acceptance and the psychological and physical dimensions of HRQoL in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Data were collected from 201 patients with CLBP using sociodemographic data, the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale Short Form 20 (PASS-20), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-8) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS). The linear regression model for the dependent variable of Physical Health (SF-36 PhyH) was statistically significant (F (7, 201) = 38.951, p < 0.05), explaining 57.6% of the variance regarding the Physical Health dimension of HRQL in patients with CLBP.

The linear regression model for the dependent variable of Psychological Health (SF-36 PsyH) was statistically significant (F (7, 200) = 39.049, p < 0.05), explaining 57.7% of the variance regarding the Psychological Health dimension of HRQL in patients with CLBP.

The findings of this study confirm that age, pain intensity, depression, pain-related anxiety and chronic pain acceptance are significant predictors of the physical dimension of HRQoL, while pain intensity, anxiety and depression proved to be significant predictors of the psychological dimension of HRQoL in patients with CLBP.

Rehabilitation experiences of lower limb amputees with poorer physical health have not been fully explored. This study aimed to qualitatively explore experiences of rehabilitation amongst patients who had recently undergone amputation due to complications of vascular disease.

Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 patients participating in the PLACEMENT randomised controlled feasibility trial (ISRCTN: 85710690; EudraCT: 2016-003544-37), which investigated the effectiveness of using a perineural catheter for postoperative pain relief following major lower limb amputation. Framework analysis was used to identify key themes and compare participant data.

Three main themes and corresponding sub-themes were identified: (i) other patients as inspiration; (ii) other patients as competition; and (iii) imagined futures. Perceptions relating to other patients played a key role in rehabilitation, providing a source of motivation, support, and competition. Participants' imagined futures were uncertain, and this was compounded by a lack of information and delays in equipment and/or adaptations.

Findings highlight the importance of fellow patients in supporting rehabilitation following lower limb amputation. Enabling contact with other patients should thus be a key consideration when planning rehabilitation. There is a clear unmet need for realistic information relating to post-amputation recovery, tailored to the needs of individual patients.

Chronic pain in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is associated with adverse functional and psychological outcomes; however, inconsistent findings across studies necessitate a comprehensive synthesis. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify associations between anxiety, depression, and pain/functional outcomes, and explore study and sample moderators, such as age, sex, pain duration, recruitment setting, and measurement tools.

We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Embase through May 2024. included 57 studies (N = 12,603) of AYAs aged 12-25 years with chronic pain. Risk of bias and GRADE assessments were conducted. Pearson r correlations were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model.

Small associations were found between anxiety, depression, and heightened pain intensity (r = 0.20, 0.24). Moderate-to-large associations were observed between anxiety, depression, and disability (r = 0.32, 0.34), pain interference (r = 0.47, 0.51), pain catastrophizing (both r = 0.50), and poorer quality of life (r = -0.56, -0.61). Anxiety had stronger correlations with pain intensity and catastrophizing in samples with more males. Anxiety measure moderated the anxiety-pain intensity relationship. Depression had stronger correlations with pain intensity for shorter pain duration, and catastrophizing and pain interference for longer pain durations. The depression-catastrophizing association was stronger in older samples.

Anxiety and depression significantly impact the chronic pain experience in AYAs, with stronger effects on functional outcomes and quality of life than pain intensity. Tailored interventions that consider age, sex, and pain duration may enhance treatment outcomes in this population.

Observational studies have reported that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with sedentary behavior (SB) and multiple chronic pain (MCP), but their associations remain unclear. Mendelian randomization analysis was used to assess the association.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with MCP, SB [time spent watching television (Tel), using a computer (Com), or driving (Dri)], and MDD were collected from genome-wide association studies and screened as instrumental variants with a threshold of 1 × 10 -5 . Mendelian randomization was performed to examine their associations. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate robustness.

MCP was associated with a higher risk of MDD [odds ratio (OR) inverse variance weighting (IVW)  = 1.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.64-2.15; P  = 4.26 × 10 -8 ), and causally related to SB (Tel: OR IVW  = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.19-1.26; P  = 6.02 × 10 -38 ) (Dri: OR IVW  = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.08; P  = 3.92 × 10 -5 ). Causality of SB on MCP was detected for Tel (OR IVW  = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.39-1.53; P  = 1.40 × 10 -54 ) and Com (OR IVW  = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83-0.93; P  = 2.50 × 10 -6 ). No association was observed for SB on MDD. There is currently insufficient evidence to support that leisure activities are a mediating factor in MCP-induced MDD.

There are complex relationships among MCP, SB, and MDD. More research and learning about potential relationships and mechanisms among these phenotypes should be supplied.

Several person variables predate injury or pain onset that increase the probability of maladjustment to pain and opioid misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of 2 diathesis variables (impulsiveness and anxiety sensitivity [AS]) in the adjustment of individuals with chronic noncancer pain and opioid misuse. The sample comprised 187 individuals with chronic noncancer pain. The hypothetical model was tested using correlation and structural equation modeling analyses. The results show a significant association between impulsiveness and AS and all the maladjustment variables, and between impulsiveness and AS and opioid misuse and craving. However, although the correlation analysis showed a significant association between adjustment to pain and opioid misuse, the structural equation modeling analysis showed a nonsignificant association between them (as latent variables). The findings support the hypothesis that both impulsiveness and AS are vulnerability factors for maladaptive adjustment to chronic pain and opioid misuse. PERSPECTIVE: This article adds to the empirical literature by including AS and impulsiveness as antecedent variables in a model of dual vulnerability to chronic pain maladjustment and opioid misuse. The findings suggest the potential utility of assessing both factors in individuals in the first stages of chronic pain.

Until recently, treatments for chronic pain commonly relied on in-person interventions, and despite more hybrid care options today, capacity for delivery remains challenged. Digital programs focusing on the psychosocial aspects of pain may provide low-barrier alternatives.

Through a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effectiveness of a multimodal mobile application.

Participants (n = 198; 82% women, mean age = 46.7 [13.1] years; mean pain duration 13.6 [11.2] years) with nonmalignant chronic pain were randomized to either a 6-week intervention (n = 98) or a wait-listed usual care group (n = 100). The intervention involved regular engagement with a user-guided mobile application (Curable Inc.) informed by the biopsychosocial model of pain that included pain education, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and expressive writing. The co-primary outcomes were pain severity and interference at 6 weeks.

We observed significant improvements in the intervention group compared to the control group with estimated changes of -0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.04 to -0.29, P < .001, d = 0.43) and -0.60 (95% CI -1.18 to -0.03, P = .04, d = 0.27) for pain severity and interference, respectively. There were significant improvements across secondary outcomes (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System pain interference; pain catastrophizing; anxiety, depression; stress). Frequency of app use was correlated with improved pain interference (P < .001) and pain catastrophizing (P = 0.018), and changes from baseline persisted in the intervention group at 12 weeks (P < .05).

A short-term mobile app intervention resulted in significant improvements across physical and mental health outcomes compared to wait-listed usual care.

To gain insight into the emotions, cognitions, and behaviours experienced by people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) undergoing invasive treatment in a pain unit.

A cross-sectional qualitative study based on individual interviews. This study included patient involvement in its design and development.

An interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted to understand the multidimensional experience of patients. The interview script was a translated, adapted, and expanded version of the one proposed by Cognitive and Functional Therapy. A mixed coding method was applied to structure the interviews. Three themes were created, with the three most frequently reported emotions, cognitions, and behaviours as subthemes. A patient with CLBP approved the initial protocol and the aim of the study. Subsequently, the patient contributed questions to the interview script, checked the coding process, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Twenty-two patients undergoing epidural infiltrations in a pain unit were interviewed. (i)"Fears", (ii)"Frustration", and (iii)"Worry" were the three most commonly expressed emotions. Cognitions related to (i)"Pain predictability", (ii)"Pain description and perception", and (iii)"Pain interference/disability" were also widely reported. The theme "Behaviours" was composed of the following subthemes: (i)"Strategies for managing symptoms", (ii)"Social behaviours", and (iii)"Strategies for coping with daily tasks". Noteworthily, cognitions related to the (i)"Diagnosis", (ii)"Health system attention", and (iii)"Medical prescriptions" arose from questions provided by patient involvement.

Patients with CLBP expressed a wide variety of emotions, cognitions, and behaviours that must be considered by health professionals with the goal of providing the best patient-centred care.

Chronic pain was associated with a higher risk of mental disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety). However, the role of 24-h movement behaviors in the association remains unclear.

A total of 72,800 participants with accelerometer data and free of mental disorders from the UK Biobank were analyzed. The compositional mediation model and isotemporal substitution model were used to explore the associations between chronic pain, 24-h movement behaviors, and the incidence of overall mental disorders, depression, and anxiety.

With a median follow-up of 13.36 years, participants with chronic pain had a higher rate of incident overall mental disorders (hazard ratio (HR): 1.281, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.219 to 1.344), anxiety (HR: 1.391, 95% CI: 1.280 to 1.536), and depression (HR: 1.703, 95% CI: 1.551 to 1.871). Increased sedentary behavior (SB) and reduced moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) caused by chronic pain both increased the risk of mental disorders. Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors explained the relationship between chronic pain and overall mental disorders, depression, and anxiety by 10.77%, 5.70%, and 6.86%, respectively. Interaction effects were found between MVPA and chronic pain when predicting the incidence of depression and between MVPA, sleep (SLP), and chronic pain when predicting the incidence of mental disorders. People with chronic pain would recommend at least 0.5 h per day of MVPA and 7 h per day of SLP and restricting SB below 11.5 h per day.

Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors played a significant mediating role in the association between chronic pain and mental disorders. Individuals with chronic pain should engage in more MVPA, less sedentary behavior, and have 7-h sleep per day.

Myofascial pelvic pain (MFPP), which is identified by tender points in the pelvic floor musculature, is a prevalent source of chronic pelvic pain in women. It may lead to physical and mental exhaustion, reproductive concerns, and coping difficulties in daily life and work than the disease itself. Pain-related cognitive processes can affect pain relief and quality of life. Kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and pain catastrophizing are frequently treated as mediators between pain and its related consequences. Greater kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing have been shown to be associated with adverse functional outcomes, while higher self-efficacy has been related with improved quality of life. Regarding MFPP in females of childbearing age, it remains unclear whether the effects of kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and pain catastrophizing on daily interference are direct or indirect; the influence on each variable is, therefore, not entirely evident.

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pain and daily interference in reproductive-age women with MFPP through kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and pain catastrophizing, as well as to identify areas for future investigation and intervention based on the data collected from this population.

This is a multi-center cross-sectional study. The study was conducted from November 15, 2022 to November 10, 2023, 202 reproductive-age women with MFPP were recruited from 14 hospitals in ten provinces of China. The demographic variables, Brief Pain Inventory, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale were used to measure the participants' related information. The data was described and analyzed using Descriptive analyses, Pearson correlation analysis, and Serial mediation modeling.

Pain not only had a direct positive impact (B = 0.575; SE   =   0.081; 95%CI: LL = 0.415, UL = 0.735) on daily interference, but also had an indirect impact on daily interference through the independent mediating role of pain catastrophizing (B = 0.088; SE  =  0.028; 95%CI: LL = 0.038, UL = 0.148), the chain mediating of kinesiophobia and catastrophizing (B = 0.057; SE  =   0.019; 95%CI: LL = 0.024, UL = 0.098), and the four-stage serial mediating of kinesiophobia, self-efficacy and catastrophizing (B = 0.013; SE   =  0.006; 95%CI: LL = 0.003, UL = 0.027). The proposed serial mediation model showed a good fit with the collected data.

The findings illustrate the significance of addressing pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (especially catastrophizing), and increasing self-efficacy in pain therapy, and suggest that functional recovery be integrated into pain therapy for reproductive-age women suffering from MFPP.

In Canada, adults with chronic noncancer pain face a persistent insufficiency of publicly funded resources, with the gold standard multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities unable to meet the high clinical demand. Web-based self-management programs cost-effectively increase access to pain management and can improve several aspects of physical and emotional functioning. Aiming to meet the demand for accessible, fully automated resources for individuals with chronic noncancer pain, we developed a French web- and evidence-based self-management program, Agir pour moi (APM). This program includes pain education and strategies to reduce stress, practice mindfulness, apply pacing, engage in physical activity, identify and manage thinking traps, sleep better, adapt diet, and sustain behavior change.

This study aims to assess the APM self-management program's feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects in adults awaiting specialized services from a center of expertise in chronic pain management.

We conducted a mixed methods study with an explanatory sequential design, including a web-based 1-arm trial and qualitative semistructured interviews. We present the results from both phases through integrative tables called joint displays.

Response rates were 70% (44/63) at postintervention and 56% (35/63) at 3-month follow-up among the 63 consenting participants who provided self-assessed information at baseline. In total, 46% (29/63) of the participants completed the program. We interviewed 24% (15/63) of the participants. The interview's first theme revolved around the overall acceptance, user-friendliness, and engaging nature of the program. The second theme emphasized the differentiation between microlevel and macrolevel engagements. The third theme delved into the diverse effects observed, potentially influenced by the macrolevel engagements. Participants highlighted the features that impacted their self-efficacy and the adoption of self-management strategies. We observed indications of improvement in self-efficacy, pain intensity, pain interference, depression, and catastrophizing. Interviewees described these and various other effects as potentially influenced by macrolevel engagement through behavioral change.

These findings provided preliminary evidence that the APM self-management program and research methods are feasible. However, some participants expressed the need for at least phone reminders and minimal support from a professional available to answer questions over the first few weeks of the program to engage. Recruitment strategies of a future randomized controlled trial should focus on attracting a broader representation of individuals with chronic pain in terms of gender and ethnicity.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05319652; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05319652.

This study aimed to investigate associations of meeting 24-h movement behavior (24-HMB: physical activity [PA], screen time [ST] in the school-aged youth, and sleep) guidelines with indicators of academic engagement, psychological functioning, and cognitive function in a national representative sample of U.S. youth.

In this cross-sectional study, 1794 participants aged 6 to 17 years old were included for multivariable logistic regression to determine the above-mentioned associations, while adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates.

The proportion of participants who met 24-HMB guideline(s) varied greatly (PA+ ST+ sleep = 34 [weighted 1.17 %], PA + ST = 23 [weighted 1.72 %], PA + sleep = 52 [weighted 2.15 %], PA = 34 [weighted 2.88 %], ST = 142 [weighted 7.5 %], ST+ sleep = 209 [weighted 11.86 %], sleep = 725 [weighted 35.5 %], none = 575 [weighted 37.22 %]). Participants who met ST guideline alone and integrated (ST + Sleep and ST + sleep + PA) guidelines demonstrated the consistently beneficial associations with learning interest/curiosity, caring for school performance, completing required homework, resilience, cognitive difficulties, self-regulation (ps < 0.05).

Meeting 24-HMB guidelines in an isolated or integrative manner was associated with improved academic engagement, psychological functioning, and reduced cognitive difficulties. These findings highlight the importance of the promotion of 24-HMB guidelines in youth with internalizing problems. Future longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether changes or modifications of meeting specific 24-HMB guidelines (especially ST) is beneficial for youth with internalizing problems.

Individuals with fibromyalgia report alarming levels of suicidal ideation, and comorbidity with other chronic health conditions such as obesity-a risk factor for suicidal ideation per se-could further complicate the clinical picture. The aim of this study is to determine, in a sample of women with fibromyalgia and comorbid obesity, the prevalence of suicidal ideation and to evaluate clinical, pain-related and psychological factors associated with suicidal ideation.

In total, 156 female individuals with fibromyalgia and obesity were recruited and completed a series of self-report measures that assessed (i) the level of pain intensity, (ii) depressive symptomatology, (iii) sleep quality, and (iv) pain catastrophizing. Suicidal ideation was evaluated by item #9 of the Beck Depression Inventory. In addition, information regarding previous suicide attempts and current opioid use was collected.

3n sum, 7.8% of participants reported presence of suicidal ideation. According to the results of the multiple logistic regression, depressive symptomatology, sleep quality, and pain catastrophizing were associated with the presence of suicidal ideation.

The presence of suicidal ideation in our sample was significantly associated with depressive symptomatology, sleep quality, and pain catastrophizing. Our findings are the first to suggest a unique (ie, independent of depressive symptomatology, and sleep quality) association between pain catastrophizing and suicidal ideation in the context of fibromyalgia and comorbid obesity. In order to prevent and reduce suicidal ideation, these factors should be assessed and targeted in interventions for pain management. Future research should investigate the extent to which addressing depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and pain catastrophizing reduces suicidal ideation.

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is an experimental paradigm, which describes the inhibition of responses to a noxious or strong-innocuous stimulus, the test stimulus (TS), by the additional application of a second noxious or strong-innocuous stimulus, the conditioning stimulus (CS). As inadequate CPM efficiency has been assumed to be predisposing for clinical pain, the search for moderating factors explaining inter-individual variations in CPM is ongoing. Psychological factors have received credits in this context. However, research concerning associations between CPM and trait factors relating to negative emotions has yielded disappointing results. Yet, the influence of anxious or fearful states on CPM has not attracted much interest despite ample evidence that negative affective states enhance pain. Our study aimed at investigating the effect of fear induction by symbolic threat on CPM.

Thirty-seven healthy participants completed two experimental blocks: one presenting aversive pictures showing burn wounds (high-threat block) and one presenting neutral pictures (low-threat block). Both blocks contained a CPM paradigm with contact heat as TS and hot water as CS; subjective numerical ratings as well as contact-heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) were assessed.

We detected an overall inhibitory CPM effect for CHEPs amplitudes but not for pain ratings. However, we found no evidence for a modulation of CPM by threat despite threat ratings indicating that our manipulation was successful.

These results suggest that heat/thermal CPM is resistant to this specific type of symbolic threat induction and further research is necessary to examine whether it is resistant to fearful states in general.

The attempt of modulating heat conditioned pain modulation (CPM) by emotional threat (fear/anxiety state) failed. Thus, heat CPM inhibition again appeared resistant to emotional influences. Pain-related brain potentials proved to be more sensitive for CPM effects than subjective ratings.

The prevalence of chronic pain is increasing, and conventional pain therapies often have limited efficacy in individuals with high levels of psychological distress and a history of trauma. In this context, the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy approach for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, is becoming increasingly important. EMDR shows promising results, particularly for patients with pain and high levels of emotional distress. Although group therapy is becoming increasingly popular in pain management, EMDR has mainly been studied as an individual treatment. However, a systematic review suggests that group therapy can be an effective tool for improving mental health outcomes, especially when trauma is addressed together. Based on these findings, an outpatient EMDR group program was developed for patients with chronic pain. The program consists of a total of four treatment days with 5-5.5 h therapy sessions each day and provides patients with a supportive environment in which they can learn effective pain management strategies and interact with other patients with similar experiences. Initial pilot evaluations indicate high efficacy and adequate safety for patients with chronic pain.

Knowledge of mental disorders among patients with persistent opioid use for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain is essential, as mental disorders and symptoms can exacerbate or perpetuate pain and impact on the ability of patients to manage their illness. We have studied the prevalence of mental disorders and symptoms, including substance use disorders, in patients with persistent opioid use in 2019.

Persons ≥ 18 years with persistent opioid use and persons ≥ 18 years with at least one registered mental disorder in the specialist healthcare service in 2019 were included. Data were retrieved from national health registries in Norway. Patients who received opioids reimbursed for the treatment of chronic pain were compared with those who received opioids without reimbursement.

The prevalence of mental disorders and symptoms was 34 % among 14 403 persons who received reimbursed opioids, and 42 % among 38 001 persons who received opioids without reimbursement. This is equivalent to a two to threefold increase in prevalence compared to the general population. There was a particularly higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and substance use disorders. The prevalence of mental disorders and symptoms was highest in the age group 18-44 years (49-55 %).

Among patients with persistent opioid use, a large proportion had mental disorders and symptoms, which are known risk factors for developing problematic opioid use and opioid use disorder.

Chronic pain is a major cause of suffering and disability and is often associated with psychiatric complications. Current treatments carry the risk of severe side effects and may lead to limited or no relief at all in a relevant portion of this patient population. Preliminary evidence suggests that classical psychedelics (e.g. LSD and psilocybin) may have analgesic effects in healthy volunteers, and in certain chronic pain conditions and observational studies reveal that they are used in naturalistic settings as a means to manage pain.

In order to gain insight on the effectiveness of such compounds in chronic pain conditions, we set up a survey addressed to chronic pain patients inquiring about psychedelic use and the relief levels achieved with both conventional treatments, full psychedelic doses and microdoses. We analysed data related to five conditions selected based on diagnostic homogeneity within each of them: fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, tension-type headache and sciatica.

Except for sciatica, volunteers reported that psychedelics led to better pain relief compared to conventional medication in all examined conditions. More specifically, full doses performed better than conventional medication. Microdoses led to significantly better relief compared to conventional medication in migraines and achieved comparable relief in the remaining three categories. Implications for future research are discussed.

Full doses and microdoses may hold value in the treatment of some specific chronic pain conditions.

Psychedelic substances are receiving increasing attention from the scientific literature because of evidence showing beneficial effects on several measures related to mental health in clinical samples and healthy volunteers samples. Previous evidence suggests that people suffering from chronic pain are using psychedelics to seek relief and the present paper presents the results of a survey study investigating their use and analgesic effects among individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, tension-type headache and sciatica.

As commissioned by the WHO, we updated and expanded the scope of four systematic reviews to inform its (in development) clinical practice guideline for the management of CPLBP in adults, including older adults. Methodological details and results of each review are described in the respective articles in this series. In the last article of this series, we discuss methodological considerations, clinical implications and recommendations for future research.

Oesophago-gastric cancer is an aggressive disease with a high rate of recurrence and mortality across the disease trajectory. Reduced psychosocial functioning has been evidenced amongst those with advanced disease, however little is known about the contributing factors. Determining these factors is an important clinical consideration to inform assessment and intervention. This review aimed to synthesise the available evidence on the psychosocial functioning of individuals with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer and their carers.

A JBI mixed-methods systematic review. Four bibliographic databases, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, were searched. Quantitative and qualitative studies were screened for inclusion and critically appraised for methodological quality. Both types of data were extracted using JBI tools for mixed-methods systematic reviews. A convergent segregated approach to synthesis and integration was used. The findings of the synthesis have been configured according to JBI methodology.

A total of 12 studies were included in this review, including 6 quantitative studies and 6 qualitative studies. The quantitative results provide preliminary indication of several physical, biological, psychological and macro-level contextual factors associated with psychosocial functioning in this clinical population. The qualitative findings shed light on a range of physical, psychosocial, and existential challenges faced by advanced oesophago-gastric cancer patients. These multiple and often persistent challenges appear to cause considerable distress; however, patients describe the importance of maintaining a sense of normality and control over their illness and its effects. Patients value continuity and structure, however many report shortcomings when accessing care. No findings reporting the experiences from the perspective of carers were found, therefore all findings represent the perspective of the patient.

Further high-quality research is needed to understand how best to support and manage the palliative care needs of individuals living with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer. Implications for practice are discussed, suggesting that psychosocial interventions, complex symptom management and continuity of care could improve the psychosocial functioning of individuals in this setting.

The systematic review was pre-registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020181273) and the protocol can be viewed on the OSF ( http://osf.io/exuzf ).

Chronic pain is a public health concern affecting over 100 million U.S. adults. Because chronic pain is multifactorial, it requires a biopsychosocial approach to understand how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to both the development and maintenance of pain. On average, individuals with chronic pain report higher levels of emotional distress compared to pain-free individuals. Research has demonstrated that social support is associated with better pain outcomes and less emotional distress. It has been proposed that social support may improve pain outcomes by reducing the influence of stressors. However, the majority of research exploring the relationships between social support and pain-related outcomes has focused on the direct relationship between these variables, largely overlooking the process by which social support has a positive influence on pain. This narrative review synthesizes research on how chronic pain, emotional distress, and social support are highly interconnected, yet research investigating chronic pain and emotional distress within a social context is limited. We then highlight disparities in chronic pain, such that the burden of chronic pain is unequal between demographic groups. Next, we discuss existing evidence for the use of group-based interventions to address pain-related outcomes. Lastly, we summarize limitations of prior research studies and highlight gaps in the current literature. Overall, longitudinal research comprehensively investigating the distinct nuances in the measurement of social support and how these nuances relate to emotional distress and pain outcomes is needed and may provide insight into the unique needs of individuals or subgroups. Further, demographically diverse randomized controlled trials are needed to identify the process by which group-based interventions improve pain outcomes and whether these interventions are more effective for particular groups in order to personalize treatment approaches and address inequities in pain care.

The lived experiences of chronic pain (CP) among Arabic-speaking populations remain underexplored. A better understanding of these experiences and their associations with attention difficulties, coping mechanisms, and treatment options could lead to improved support for this group.

This qualitative study utilised a descriptive design and involved one-to-one interviews with 51 participants with CP who had just completed two attention tasks. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured topic guide, transcribed verbatim and translated from Arabic to English before agreeing on the coding framework. Themes and subthemes were extracted using a framework analysis approach.

The study identified six main themes: Factors contributing towards developing or exacerbating CP, the impact of CP on psychosocial functions, including attention, the perceived role of social support, coping strategies for managing CP, perceptions about available treatments and recommendations for interventions.

CP significantly impacts individuals' physical and psychosocial functions, and it is reciprocally associated with attentional difficulties. Despite using various approaches to manage their CP, none of the participants used psychological interventions or counselling. Understanding the diverse impacts of CP and the coping strategies employed to develop culturally sensitive interventions, review current related policies, and improve healthcare services is crucial to managing CP among this population.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) affects between 13% and 47% of the population, with a global growth rate of 20.3% within the last 15 years, suggesting that there is a high need for effective treatments. Pain diaries have long been a common tool in nonpharmacological pain treatment for monitoring and providing feedback on patients' symptoms in daily life. More recently, positive refocusing techniques have come to be used, promoting pain-free episodes and positive outcomes rather than focusing on managing the pain.

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility (ie, acceptability, intervention adherence, and fidelity) and initial signals of efficacy of the PerPAIN app, an ecological momentary intervention for patients with CMSP. The app comprises digitalized monitoring using the experience sampling method (ESM) and feedback. In addition, the patients receive 3 microinterventions targeted at refocusing of attention on positive events.

In a microrandomized trial, we will recruit 35 patients with CMSP who will be offered the app for 12 weeks. Participants will be prompted to fill out 4 ESM monitoring questionnaires a day assessing information on their current context and the proximal outcome variables: absence of pain, positive mood, and subjective activity. Participants will be randomized daily and weekly to receive no feedback, verbal feedback, or visual feedback on proximal outcomes assessed by the ESM. In addition, the app will encourage participants to complete 3 microinterventions based on positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. These microinterventions are prompts to report joyful moments and everyday successes or to plan pleasant activities. After familiarizing themselves with each microintervention individually, participants will be randomized daily to receive 1 of the 3 exercises or none. We will assess whether the 2 feedback types and the 3 microinterventions increase proximal outcomes at the following time point. The microrandomized trial is part of the PerPAIN randomized controlled trial (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00022792) investigating a personalized treatment approach to enhance treatment outcomes in CMSP.

Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee II of the University of Heidelberg on August 4, 2020. Recruitment for the microrandomized trial began in May 2021 and is ongoing at the time of submission. By October 10, 2022, a total of 24 participants had been enrolled in the microrandomized trial.

This trial will provide evidence on the feasibility of the PerPAIN app and the initial signals of efficacy of the different intervention components. In the next step, the intervention would need to be further refined and investigated in a definitive trial. This ecological momentary intervention presents a potential method for offering low-level accessible treatment to a wide range of people, which could have substantial implications for public health by reducing disease burden of chronic pain in the population.

DERR1-10.2196/43376.

COVID-19 social distancing mandates increased social isolation, resulting in changes in pain severity and interference among individuals with chronic pain. Differences in personality (e.g., introversion/extraversion) may modulate responses to social isolation. We examined the influence of introversion on reported social distancing-related increases in pain interference and assessed for mediators of this relationship. Individuals with chronic pain (n = 150) completed validated questionnaires 4-8 weeks after implementation of social distancing mandates. Introversion/extraversion was measured using a subscale of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and changes in pain and psychosocial variables were calculated by comparing participants' recalled and current scores. Association between introversion/extraversion and other variables were assessed using linear regression. A parallel mediation was used to examine mediators of the association between introversion and change in pain interference. Higher introversion was associated with a decrease in pain interference after social distancing (Rho = - .194, p = .017). Parallel mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between introversion/extraversion and change in pain interference was mediated by changes in sleep disturbance and depression, such that higher introversion was associated with less isolation-induced sleep disruption and depression, and thereby less worsening of pain interference. These findings suggest that personality factors such as introversion/extraversion should be considered when personalizing treatment of chronic pain.

A 2019 review article modified the socio-ecological model to contextualize pain disparities among different ethnoracial groups; however, the broad scope of this 2019 review necessitates deeper socio-ecological inspection of pain within each ethnoracial group. In this narrative review, we expanded upon this 2019 article by adopting inclusion criteria that would capture a more nuanced spectrum of socio-ecological findings on chronic pain within the Black community. Our search yielded a large, rich body of literature composed of 174 articles that shed further socio-ecological light on how chronic pain within the Black community is influenced by implicit bias among providers, psychological and physical comorbidities, experiences of societal and institutional racism and biomedical distrust, and the interplay among these factors. Moving forward, research and public-policy development must carefully take into account these socio-ecological factors before scaling up pre-existing solutions with questionable benefit for the chronic pain needs of Black individuals.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological consequence of trauma. The aims of this study were to investigate whether combat injury was associated with deployment-related PTG in a cohort of UK military personnel who were deployed to Afghanistan, and whether post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and pain mediate this relationship.

521 physically injured (n = 138 amputation; n = 383 non-amputation injury) and 514 frequency-matched uninjured personnel completed questionnaires including the deployment-related Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (DPTGI). DPTGI scores were categorised into tertiles of: no/low (score 0-20), moderate (score 21-34) or a large (35-63) degree of deployment-related PTG. Analysis was completed using generalised structural equation modelling.

A large degree of PTG was reported by 28.0% (n = 140) of the uninjured group, 36.9% (n = 196) of the overall injured group, 45.4% (n = 62) of amputee and 34.1% (n = 134) of the non-amputee injured subgroups. Combat injury had a direct effect on reporting a large degree of PTG [Relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.17)] compared to sustaining no injury. Amputation injuries also had a significant direct effect [RRR 2.18 (95% CI 1.24-3.75)], but non-amputation injuries did not [RRR 1.35 (95% CI 0.92-1.93)]. PTSD, depression and pain partially mediate this relationship, though mediation differed depending on the injury subtype. PTSD had a curvilinear relationship with PTG, whilst depression had a negative association and pain had a positive association.

Combat injury, in particular injury resulting in traumatic amputation, is associated with reporting a large degree of PTG.

Chronic pain and mental disorders are leading causes of disability worldwide. Individuals with chronic pain are more likely to experience mental disorders compared to individuals without chronic pain, but large-scale estimates are lacking. We aimed to calculate overall prevalence of mental health diagnoses from primary and secondary care among individuals treated for chronic pain in 2019 and to compare prevalence among chronic pain patients receiving opioid versus non-opioid analgesics, according to age and gender.

It is a population-based cohort study. Linked data from nationwide health registers on dispensed drugs and diagnoses from primary (ICPC-2) and secondary (ICD-10) health care. Chronic pain patients were identified as all patients over 18 years of age filling at least one prescription of an analgesic reimbursed for non-malignant chronic pain in both 2018 and 2019 (N = 139,434, 69.3% women).

Prevalence of any mental health diagnosis was 35.6% (95% confidence interval: 35.4%-35.9%) when sleep diagnoses were included and 29.0% (28.8%-29.3%) when excluded. The most prevalent diagnostic categories were sleep disorders (14% [13.8%-14.2%]), depressive and related disorders (10.1% [9.9%-10.2%]) and phobia and other anxiety disorders (5.7% [5.5%-5.8%]). Prevalence of most diagnostic categories was higher in the group using opioids compared to non-opioids. The group with the highest overall prevalence was young women (18-44 years) using opioids (50.1% [47.2%-53.0%]).

Mental health diagnoses are common in chronic pain patients receiving analgesics, particularly among young individuals and opioid users. The combination of opioid use and high psychiatric comorbidity suggests that prescribers should attend to mental health in addition to somatic pain.

This large-scale study with nation-wide registry data supports previous findings of high psychiatric burden in chronic pain patients. Opioid users had significantly higher prevalence of mental health diagnoses, regardless of age and gender compared to users of non-opioid analgesics. Opioid users with chronic pain therefore stand out as a particularly vulnerable group and should be followed up closely by their physician to ensure they receive sufficient care for both their mental and somatic symptoms.

Self-management interventions have the potential to improve patient' pain condition as they involve tasks aimed at managing symptoms and reducing interference with activities, mood and relationships due to pain. However, research on factors that facilitate or hinder pain self-management has overlooked patients with both chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression in primary care settings, also leaving unattended patient views on the usefulness of such programs. Thus, the main aim of this study was to gather meaningful information to help promoting adequate self-management. Specifically, it attempts to identify patients' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of group-based psychoeducational intervention and to explore its perceived usefulness in promoting self-management.

This qualitative study explored perceived barriers and facilitators of a psychoeducational intervention for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression previously tested in a Randomized Control Trial. We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with fifteen adult patients with both chronic musculoskeletal pain and depression recruited from primary care centres in Tarragona province (Catalonia, Spain). A content thematic analysis was carried out to examine the data. This study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.

Findings revealed that perceived barriers included lack of motivation, time constraints, pain, depression, ineffectiveness of pain-relief strategies and activity avoidance. Facilitators were having a supportive family/friends, the positive effects of self-management, high motivation, being a proactive patient. Peer support and identification, the positive effect of sessions, and free expression were highlighted as key elements of the psychoeducational intervention.

The psychoeducational intervention was perceived as useful in promoting self-management practices. Barriers and facilitators in using self-management strategies were related, mainly, to internal personal characteristics of the patients being similar among different cultural backgrounds and distinct chronic conditions.

These findings can help to guide clinicians in the development and implementation of more effective pain self-management interventions for patients with chronic pain and depression by attending to their needs and preferences.

Alexithymia is more prevalent among those with patients living with chronic pain. Information on the prevalence of alexithymia in Chinese patients with chronic pain and associated factors is limited.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of alexithymia, as defined by a score of 61 or greater in the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), in a Chinese patient with chronic pain. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between alexithymia and the clinical and psychological aspects of chronic pain.

A cross-sectional observational study used the TAS-20 to assess alexithymia of Chinese patients with chronic pain. Sociodemographic and clinical information were obtained and participants filled in the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and General Self-efficacy Scale.

Of the 346 patients screened, 321 patients living with chronic pain were enrolled into the study. The prevalence of alexithymia among the study population (TAS-20 score ≥61) was 19.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.3-24.0). The findings showed anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 2.474; 95% CI, 1.241-4.935), pain catastrophizing (2.649; 1.014-6.921), and self-efficacy (0.952; 0.908-0.988) as independent predictors of alexithymia in patients living with chronic pain.

Patients with chronic pain exhibiting alexithymia were at higher risk of pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and lower self-efficacy, compared with patients without alexithymia. It is important to identify and pay a special attention in clinical practice to patients with chronic pain exhibiting alexithymia, as these individuals are unable to properly express their emotions.

Chronic pain and problematic substance use are commonly co-occurring and highly detrimental issues that are especially prevalent in U.S. veteran populations. Although COVID-19 made clinical management of these conditions potentially difficult, some research suggests that certain veterans with these conditions did not experience this period as negatively as others. It is thus important to consider whether resilience factors, such as the increasingly-studied process of psychological flexibility, might have led to better outcomes for veterans managing pain and problematic substance use during this time of global crisis.

This planned sub-analysis of a larger cross-sectional, anonymous, and nationally-distributed survey (N = 409) was collected during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Veteran participants completed a short screener and battery of online surveys assessing pain severity and interference, substance use, psychological flexibility, mental health functioning, and pandemic-related quality of life.

For veterans with chronic pain and problematic substance use, the pandemic resulted in a significant lowering of their quality of life related to meeting basic needs, emotional health, and physical health compared to veterans with problematic substance use but no chronic pain diagnosis. However, moderation analyses revealed that veterans with these comorbid conditions experienced less negative impacts from the pandemic on quality of life and mental health when they reported greater psychological flexibility. For veterans with problematic substance use only, psychological flexibility was also related to better mental health functioning, but did not significantly correlate with their quality of life.

Results highlight how COVID-19 differentially impacted veterans with both problematic substance use and chronic pain, such that this group reported particularly negative impacts of the pandemic on multiple areas of quality of life. However, our findings further emphasize that psychological flexibility, a modifiable resiliency process, also buffered against some of the negative impacts of the pandemic on mental health and quality of life. Given this, future research into the impact of natural crises and healthcare management should investigate how psychological flexibility can be targeted to help increase resiliency for veterans with chronic pain and problematic substance use.

To evaluate the influence of motor and autonomic disorders on the pain of patients with PD of the I-III H&Y stages and possibility of correcting the pain with dopamine receptor agonists (ADR).

252 patients (128 women and 124 men, 42-80 years old) with PD of I-III Hoehn and Yahr stages (H&Y) were examined using the following scales: UPDRS, daily activity Sch&En, quality of life PDQ-39, MMSE, BDI, PFS-16, NMSQuest, GSRS, AUA; 53 patients were piribedil treated during 6 months.

Our results indicated a wide prevalence of pain syndrome in PD patients (58.6%), starting from the early stages (50% for the Ist stage). The most stable pain associations were found with the PD stage, levodopa doses, severity of motor symptoms (postural disorders and hypokinesia manifestations) and motor complications («off-periods» and dyskinesias), as well as non-motor PD manifestations depression and autonomic dysfunctions (constipation, swallowing disorders, and frequent urination). The regression analysis showed, that the severity of motor complications and depression were the predictors of pain occurrence. The pain syndrome in patients with PD of I-III stages underwent significant regression (by 51% and 62%, after 1.5 and 6 months of therapy, respectively) after ADR (piribedil) addition to their therapy; it's probably due to improving the motor component and decreasing depressive disorders.

The piribedil inclusion contributes to the reduction of pain syndrome, regardless is it used in monotherapy or in conjunction with levodopa preparations.

Individuals experience chronic pain differently, not only because of different clinical diagnoses, but also because of differing degrees of influence from biopsychosocial pain modulators. We aimed to cluster patients with chronic pain into distinct subgroups based on psychosocial characteristics and pain intensity, and we subsequently examined group differences in pain-related interference approximately 1 year later.

In this observational, longitudinal study, patients with chronic pain (n = 94) completed validated assessments of psychosocial characteristics and pain intensity at the beginning of COVID-19-related social distancing (April to June 2020). One year later (May to June 2021), patients completed a follow-up survey with assessments of pain interference, loneliness, social support, mindfulness, and optimism.

A cluster analysis, using psychosocial factors and pain intensity, empirically produced three patient groups: 1) psychosocial predominant (PSP), characterized by high psychosocial distress and average pain intensity; 2) pain intensity predominant (PIP), characterized by average psychosocial distress and high pain intensity; and 3) less elevated symptoms (LES), characterized by low psychosocial distress and low pain intensity. At the 1-year follow-up, patients in the PSP and PIP clusters suffered greater pain interference than patients in the LES cluster, while patients in the PSP cluster also reported greater loneliness and lower mindfulness and optimism.

An empirical psychosocial-based clustering of patients identified three distinct groups that differed in pain interference. Patients with high psychosocial modulation of pain at the onset of social distancing (the PSP cluster) suffered not only greater pain interference but also greater loneliness and lower levels of mindfulness and optimism, which suggests some potential behavioral targets for this group in the future.

Currently, there is no consensus on the best rehabilitation program to perform for nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). However, multimodal exercises, education, and group-based sessions seem to be beneficial. We, therefore, launched such a treatment program and aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving patient health status. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 23 NSCLB patients who followed the MyBack program at La Tour hospital from 2020 to 2022 (25 sessions, 8 weeks). Patients were evaluated before and after intervention using pain on a visual analog scale (pVAS), Roland−Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L). Responder rates were calculated using minimal clinically important differences. Patients reported a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the pVAS (5.3 ± 1.2 vs. 3.1 ± 1.6), RMDQ (8.8 ± 3.3 vs. 4.0 ± 3.7), PCS (24.5 ± 9.4 vs. 11.7 ± 7.9) and TSK (41.5 ± 9.2 vs. 32.7 ± 7.0). The EQ-5D-3L also statistically improved (score: 0.59 ± 0.14 vs. 0.73 ± 0.07; and VAS: 54.8 ± 16.8 vs. 67.0 ± 15.2). The responder rates were 78% for the pVAS and PCS, 74% for the RMDQ and TSK, and only 26% for the EQ-5D-3L. The MyBack program combining education with multimodal group exercises led to satisfactory clinical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes.

To better understand renal nutcracker syndrome (NCS) from a patients' perspective starting at presentation and followed through to diagnosis and management METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted on a national level via a self-selected online survey distributed via river sampling by a post on the Facebook Page 'Renal Nutcracker Syndrome Support Group'.

Of the 22 responses collected, 95.5% were female and 91% self-identified as White. 43% experienced symptoms as teenagers and 62% were diagnosed as young adults. Prior to receiving a definitive diagnosis, over half of the respondents were worked up for kidney stones (57%) and ovarian cysts (48%) and saw at least ten to fifteen providers. Nearly 80% experienced constant pain throughout the day. Pain management included prescription oral pain relievers (38%), prescription patches (29%), and physical therapy (19%). Surgical procedures included nephrectomy with auto transplant (38%), left renal vein transposition (10%), and laparoscopic extravascular stent placement (10%). Respondents had high healthcare utilization for management of NCS. Nearly 30% were unable to work and had filed for disability.

Awareness of NCS should increase among healthcare providers of all specialties to improve quality of care to those living with NCS. It is crucial to keep NCS within the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with gross hematuria and unusual abdominal and/or flank pain.

A previously developed educational e-health tool considers both clinical and psychosocial factors when selecting patients with chronic pain for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). The validity of the composite recommendations was evaluated in a retrospective study, demonstrating a strong relationship with patient outcomes after SCS.

An additional retrospective analysis was performed to determine the added value of a psychosocial evaluation as part of the decision-making process on SCS. Data concerned 482 patients who were considered for SCS in 2018-2019. Analysis focused on the relationship between the different layers of the tool recommendations (clinical, psychosocial, composite) with trial results and patient outcomes at 6 months after SCS. Of the initial study population, 381 patients underwent SCS and had follow-up data on at least one of three pain-related outcome measures.

Pain improvement was observed in 76% of the patients for whom SCS was strongly recommended based on merely the clinical aspects. This percentage varied by the level of psychosocial problems and ranged from 86% in patients without any compromising psychosocial factors to 60% in those with severe problems. Similarly, the severity of psychosocial problems affected trial results in patients for whom SCS was either recommended or strongly recommended.

The strong relationship between psychosocial factors embedded in the SCS e-health tool and patient outcomes supports an integrated and multidisciplinary approach in the selection of patients for SCS. The educational e-health tool, combining both clinical and psychosocial aspects, is believed to be helpful for further education and implementation of this approach.