Examining Resilient Pain Behaviors for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Pain Management Research
• Psychological Resilience Studies
• Nursing Science

Background:

• Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects a significant population, necessitating research into factors influencing patient outcomes.
• Resilience, the ability to adapt to adversity, is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in managing chronic pain conditions.
• Understanding how resilience is defined and applied in CLBP research is vital for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of resilience and resilient pain behaviors in individuals with CLBP.
• To examine the definitions, operationalization (trait vs. behavior), and theoretical frameworks used in resilience research for CLBP.
• To identify gaps and inform future research directions in this area.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
• Five major databases (CINAHL, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus) were searched for relevant articles published between 2011 and 2021.
• Data were systematically charted and analyzed using a spreadsheet.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six articles were included in the final analysis, predominantly from the United States, with a majority employing a cross-sectional design.
• Definitions of resilience varied significantly across studies, with most not using a theoretical framework.
• Resilience was operationalized as a trait in three studies and as a behavior in only one study.

Conclusions:

• The heterogeneity in resilience definitions and the prevalence of cross-sectional designs indicate that resilience research in CLBP is still in its early stages.
• A lack of consistent operationalization of resilience, particularly as a behavior, and limited use of theoretical frameworks highlight areas for improvement.
• These findings have implications for nursing practice, emphasizing the need for standardized definitions and frameworks to guide holistic patient care and resilience-building interventions.