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Exploring the relationships between multisite musculoskeletal pain, pain characteristics, and physical function: a
Wren Burton1,2, Yan Ma3,4, Cynthia R Long5
1Osher Center for Integrative Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 850 Boylston St. Suite #422, Boston, MA, 02445, USA. wmburton@bwh.harvard.edu.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|May 22, 2026
Summary
The number of pain regions in individuals with multisite musculoskeletal pain is linked to reduced physical function. Global pain intensity further impacts function, while psychological factors like catastrophizing had minimal independent effects.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal health
- Pain science
- Rehabilitation medicine
Background:
- Multisite musculoskeletal pain is common and impairs physical function.
- The relationship between the number of pain regions and functional outcomes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the number of pain regions and physical function in individuals with multisite pain.
- To explore the influence of pain intensity, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and pain interference on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 101 participants (aged 18-85).
- Multisite pain assessed across 8 regions; composite function score derived from self-report, gait speed, and balance.
- Hierarchical linear regression models used to examine associations, adjusting for demographics and sequentially adding pain-related variables.
Main Results:
- A higher number of pain regions correlated with worse composite physical function (ß: -0.16).
- Global pain intensity explained additional variance in physical function (ß: -0.20).
- Catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and pain interference showed minimal independent contributions to function.
Conclusions:
- Increased pain regions are associated with poorer physical function in multisite pain.
- Global pain intensity is a significant factor, while other psychological variables had limited independent impact.
- Findings suggest a cumulative pain burden model, but require larger, longitudinal studies for confirmation.
