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Personality changes associated with reduction of pain
Richard A Sternbach1, Gretchen Timmermans
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego and Pain Unit, Veterans Administration Hospital, San Diego, Calif. U.S.A.
Pain
|June 1, 1975
Summary
Surgery for pain relief significantly reduced psychological distress and pain in patients undergoing treatment. These findings suggest that alleviating chronic pain can reverse associated neuroticism.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Surgical Intervention
Background:
- Chronic pain often leads to psychological distress, including neuroticism.
- The relationship between pain reduction and psychological improvement requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of surgery for pain relief versus non-surgical treatment on psychological outcomes.
- To determine if pain reduction through surgery can alleviate associated neuroticism.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 113 patients over two years.
- Analysis of covariance was used to compare surgical (n=29) and non-surgical (n=84) groups receiving psychological treatment and rehabilitation.
- Outcomes measured included MMPI Hysteria and Hypomania scales, a Health Index invalidism scale, and pain reduction.
Main Results:
- Surgery patients demonstrated significantly greater reductions in MMPI Hysteria and Hypomania scores.
- Surgical intervention was associated with a significantly greater reduction in pain.
- Despite increased activity in the non-surgical group, the surgical group showed superior psychological improvements.
Conclusions:
- Alleviating chronic pain through surgery can lead to significant improvements in psychological well-being.
- Neuroticism associated with chronic pain may be reversible upon successful pain management.
- These findings support the hypothesis that psychological distress is a consequence of chronic pain.