Catastrophization, pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain

The research aimed evaluate the relationship between catastrophization, pain intensity, and disability in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 129 consecutive patients with CLBP were included in the study. The subjects performed ten session of supervised exercises. The measurement instruments were: the Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Disability was significantly associated with a higher overall score of PCS, and greater pain intensity (for both p < 0.05). Among the components of PCS helplessness, and rumination were highly associated with the disability score, and with magnification the least (p<0.01). Participants who did not use sick leave had significantly lower results of RMDQ score and PCS (p <0.05). No difference was observed among those with more work experience compared to those with less. Disability was not associated with the duration of work experience (p>0.05). Higher degrees of disability were associated with higher catastrophization scores and increased pain intensity. These findings support that these individuals benefited from exercise treatment which was mostly demonstrated by a decline in RMDQ and PCS scores.