The Helplessness Dimension of Pain Catastrophizing Mediates the Relation between PTSD Symptoms and Pain Rehabilitation Measures.

Background: Comorbid chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complicate the treatment of both conditions. Previous research has identified pain catastrophizing as a potentially important variable contributing to the relationship between chronic pain and PTSD. However, little is known regarding how the different dimensions of pain catastrophizing-rumination, magnification, and helplessness-uniquely contribute to the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and measures of pain outcome.

Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Self-Efficacy Mediate Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program Outcomes at Posttreatment and Follow-Up.

Background: Decreasing pain catastrophizing and improving self-efficacy to self-manage chronic pain symptoms are important treatment targets in the context of interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation. Greater pain catastrophizing has been shown to be associated with greater impact of pain symptoms on functioning; conversely, greater pain self-efficacy has been associated with lower pain intensity and lower levels of disability.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation outcomes, as well as to evaluate the mediating effects of both pain catastrophizing and pain self-efficacy on outcome.

The Mediating Effect of Pain Catastrophizing on PTSD Symptoms and Pain Outcome.

Objective: Coprevalence of chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) negatively impacts the course of both disorders. Patients diagnosed with both conditions report greater pain, affective distress, and disability when compared with those with either chronic pain or PTSD alone. While the prevalence and complexity of the comorbidity is widely acknowledged, there is a dearth of research examining potential mechanism variables that might account for the relationship between chronic pain and PTSD.