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Cluster Analysis and Chronic Pain: An Empirical Classification of Pain Subgroups in a Spinal Cord Injury Sample
Michael W Wilson1, J Scott Richards1, Joshua C Klapow1
1University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Objective:
To demonstrate the presence of homogeneous spinal cord injury (SCI) pain subgroups.
Design:
Prospective longitudinal design.
Participants:
Persons with traumatic onset SCI (n = 1,334) with self-reported pain, pain interference, and depression.
Outcome Measures:
Pain (Verbal Analogue Scale); Pain Interference (item from Short Form 12); Depression (Brief Patient Health Questionnaire).
Results:
Multivariate clustering indicated four SCI pain subgroups: (1) Low Pain (low pain intensity, pain interference, and depression); (2) Positive Adaptation to Pain (high pain intensity, low pain interference and depression); (3) Minimal Distress (high pain intensity, high pain interference, and low depression); and (4) Chronic Pain Syndrome (high pain intensity, pain interference, and depression).
Conclusions:
Homogeneous SCI pain subgroups may be important for clinicians to consider in treatment planning and research.
