The Assessment of Pain Behavior in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients : Utilization of a Streamlined Behavior Observation Procedure

ISBN-13: 9783639119800 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 56 str.

Robert Cohen

Opis

Observations of pain behavior have distinct advantages over self-report measures of pain. This is especially critical in a chronic lower back pain population where self-report of pain is unusually high. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether a streamlined behavior observation adapted from Keefe and Block s (1982) 10-minute observation is effective in identifying somatic amplification in a sample of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) sufferers. We examined the relationship between a 4-minute behavior observation and the Somatic Amplification Rating Scale (SARS), a physiological exam measuring incongruent physical symptoms. Somatic amplification describes the tendency to report physical symptoms that are out of proportion to medical findings. Ninety-seven participants were recruited to take part in a study that examined levels of somatic amplification, affective distress, and frequency of pain behaviors.

O autorze

Dr. Robert Cohen received his bachelor s of science in
Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and received his
masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the
Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a focus on
behavioral medicine and rehabilitation. He is currently
practicing clincal neuropsychology in Florida.