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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
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Published on: January 18, 2018
The correlation between pain and function in cancer survivors
Sean R Smith1, Jared Gershowitz2, Nicholas Stoyles3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy, Ste 100, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. srsz@med.umich.edu.
Summary
Cancer survivors experiencing pain often face functional decline. Non-cancer musculoskeletal issues and metastatic disease significantly worsen pain and impact function in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Cancer survivors are at risk of functional decline, impacting independence and mobility.
- Pain is a prevalent symptom in cancer survivors, yet its contribution to functional loss is not fully understood.
- Understanding the pain-function relationship can inform earlier interventions and improve outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between pain levels and functional status in cancer survivors.
- To identify clinical and demographic factors associated with pain and functional decline in this population.
Main Methods:
- 488 cancer survivors from five centers completed the PROMIS Cancer Function Brief 3D and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS).
- Clinical data including demographics, cancer status, and treatment history were collected.
- Pearson correlations and multivariable analyses explored relationships between pain, function, and other factors.
Main Results:
- Patient-reported pain showed moderate correlations with physical function (r=0.38), fatigue (r=-0.44), and social participation (r=0.44).
- Non-cancer musculoskeletal impairment (p<0.001) and metastatic disease (p=0.002) were significantly associated with higher pain.
- Factors like age, active cancer, assistive device use, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric comorbidity were not significantly associated with pain levels.
Conclusions:
- Higher pain levels in cancer survivors correlate with greater self-reported functional decline.
- Non-cancer musculoskeletal factors and metastatic disease are significant contributors to pain in cancer survivors.
- Targeting these factors may help mitigate functional decline and improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
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