Pain acceptance-based coping in complex regional pain syndrome Type I: daily relations with pain intensity, activity, and mood

J Behav Med. 2013 Oct;36(5):531-8. doi: 10.1007/s10865-012-9448-7. Epub 2012 Aug 2.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the temporal patterning of pain acceptance-based coping, activity, and mood in patients with complex regional pain syndrome Type I (CRPS-I), by using a daily diary method. A total of 30 patients with CRPS-I seeking treatment in a tertiary pain management center located in Seoul, Korea participated in the study. Multilevel random effects analyses indicated that (a) engagement in pain acceptance-based coping was significantly associated with lower same-day pain and negative mood and greater same-day activity and positive mood; (b) pain acceptance-based coping predicted increases in activity on the following day; (c) greater pain intensity was significantly associated with lower same-day pain acceptance-based coping and activity and greater same-day negative mood; and (d) pain intensity did not predict pain acceptance-based coping, activity, or mood on the following day. These findings suggest that patients with CRPS-I may benefit from responding to pain with acceptance. Further study and eventual application of this process in CRPS-I may improve upon the success of current approaches to this problem.

MeSH terms

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy*
  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity*
  • Pain Management
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / psychology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome