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

The objective of this scoping review was to examine resilience and resilient pain behaviors for those with CLBP in relation to resilience definitions, operationalization (e.g. trait or behavior), and application of theoretical frameworks.

This scoping review examined resilience and resilient pain behaviors for those with CLBP in relation to resilience definitions, operationalization (e.g. trait or behavior), and application of theoretical frameworks.

To gather data, we used five databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Scopus.

Authors used a systematic data charting spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) to review and analyze the extracted data.

A total of 26 articles, from 2011-2021, were included in the final analysis. A majority of articles were conducted in the United States (11) and cross-sectional secondary data analysis design (13). Resilience definitions varied across the studies. Three studies operationalized resilience as a trait and only one as a behavior. Most studies (20) did not include a theoretical framework.

The majority cross-sectional design and heterogeneity of a resilience definition indicates resilience research is still emerging. The lack of operationalized resilience, specifically as a behavior, and the limited use of theoretical frameworks suggest advancements in resilience pain research are needed.

This research has implications for nursing practice to support nurse's holistic perspective and the ability to incorporate resilience within nursing care. This research provides the initial steps to developing standard resilience definitions and frameworks to guide nursing practice.