Patient Information Resources


Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.
763 Larkfield Road
2nd Floor
Commack, NY 11725
Ph: (631) 462-2225
Fax: (631) 462-2240






Child Orthopedics
General
Pain Management
Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

« Back

Measuring Problems Associated with Pain

Posted on: 08/25/2006
In this study researchers from Belgium and the Netherlands designed and tested a questionnaire used to assess patient attitudes to solving the problem of pain. The survey was called the Pain Solutions Questionnaire or PaSol.

The final survey ended up with 14 questions divided into four sections. The sections included: 1) Solving Pain, 2) Meaningfulness of Life Despite Pain, 3) Acceptance of Pain (that won't go away), and 4) Belief in a Solution.

Each section was able to measure some aspect of pain. For example, beliefs and values such as coping with pain or attempting to cure or control pain were measured. Efforts at changing the problem or situation were also measured.

The results of such a survey will help professionals guide patients in matching a coping strategy with a realistic view of the problem. For example, if the patient continues to try and find a cure for pain that is incurable, then other solutions can be introduced.

Patients who believe that life has meaning even with pain tend to pay less attention to their pain. They have less disability and more function. Patients who keep looking for ways to solve the pain do so at the expense of pursuing other more functional goals. The result is they focus on their pain in a hypervigilant way.

The authors suggest several areas for future studies. For example, are styles of coping linked with disability caused by pain? How can we help patients who focus on their pain and who keep trying to solve the problem when it's incurable? Can chronic pain patients become more flexible in finding other solutions (besides cure) to the problem of pain?

The authors' final comment is that it remains to be seen whether patients who express an interest in problem solving actually make any attempts to do so.

References:
Petra De Vlieger, et al. Finding a Solution to the Problem of Pain: Conceptual Formulation and the Development of the Pain Solutions Questionnaire (PaSol). In Pain. August 2006. Vol. 123. No. 3. Pp. 285-293.

« Back





*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.


All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission.