A cohort study of the association between psychosocial factors and pain in patients with Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke.

Purpose: To explore associations between psychosocial factors and pain intensity and pain interference in a population with a new neurological injury on admission to rehabilitation, and after six months.

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal, prospective cohort study with participants with stroke or Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) completing questionnaires for pain intensity and interference, mental health, pain coping strategies and pain attitudes and beliefs within two weeks of admission to inpatient rehabilitation. After six months, participants completed measures of pain intensity and pain interference only.

Results: In all 32 participants completed the questionnaires at baseline and 19 after six months. Several associations between a person's mental health and certain beliefs were associated with pain outcomes. Additionally, poorer baseline mental health was associated with greater pain intensity and pain interference after six months, and a stronger belief in a medical cure for pain at baseline was associated with less pain intensity and pain interference after six months.

Conclusions: Psychosocial factors are associated with pain early after stroke and SCI. Psychosocial factors are also associated with pain outcomes several months after stroke and SCI. This highlights the importance of psychosocial factors in both of these populations and their relationship with pain outcomes.