Abstract
This study assessed the association of anger, anxiety, and depression, and cognitive bias with pain and activity tolerance among patients with a musculoskeletal illness or injury expected to last more than a month. 102 Patients completed emotional thermometers to quantify symptoms of anger, anxiety, depression; the abbreviated Pain Catastrophizing Scale; a pain intensity scale; Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test; the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and demographic questionnaires. Controlling for potential confounding in multivariable analysis we found greater activity intolerance was associated with retired work-status and greater depressive symptoms, but not with greater symptoms of anger. In addition, greater pain intensity was associated with greater symptoms of depression and greater catastrophic thinking, but not with greater symptoms of anger. Anger emotions do not contribute to symptom intensity and activity intolerance in musculoskeletal illness. Attention can be directed at addressing psychological distress and cognitive bias.
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All authors contributed to the design of the research and inclusion of patients. Data analysis were performed by YV and JK. The first draft of the manuscript was written by YV and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version.
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Yvonne Versluijs, David Bandell, Joost Kortlever, David Ring declare that they have no conflict of interest. David Ring has or may receive payment or benefits from Skeletal Dynamics, Wright Medical for elbow implants, Deputy Editor for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Universities and Hospitals, Lawyers outside the submitted work.
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This study has been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
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Versluijs, Y., Bandell, D., Kortlever, J. et al. The Influence of Symptoms of Anger on Pain Intensity and Activity Intolerance. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 30, 453–459 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-022-09894-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-022-09894-5