title: The mediating role of self-efficacy expectations and fear of movement and (re)injury beliefs in two samples of acute pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The overall aim of this study was to estimate the possible mediating role of self-efficacy, catastrophic thinking and fear of movement and (re)injury between pain intensity and pain-related disability in two samples of acute pain patients, i.e. patients with musculoskeletal injuries and patients with whiplash injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional design with data-collection after an acute injury was used. Subjects were recruited at an emergency department. Sixty-four patients with acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD) and 74 patients with musculoskeletal injury completed the questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-efficacy was found to be a mediator between pain intensity and pain-related disability in the WAD group, whereas fear of movement and (re)injury appeared as mediator in the musculoskeletal-injury group. The strength of association between variables was weaker in the musculoskeletal-injury group compared to the WAD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to assess fear of movement beliefs in patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Similarly, patients with acute WAD expressing low self-efficacy beliefs should be identified. An early detection of these beliefs may improve management at the acute phase and possibly reduce risks for slow improvements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden. anne.soderlund@mdh.se
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Söderlund
authors.forename: Pernilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asenlöf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058443:Catastrophization; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013548:Sweden; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*