Cluster Analysis and Chronic Pain: An Empirical Classification of Pain Subgroups in a Spinal Cord Injury Sample.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the presence of homogeneous spinal cord injury (SCI) pain subgroups.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal design.


METHODS
Persons with traumatic onset SCI (n = 1,334) with self-reported pain, pain interference, and depression.


METHODS
Pain (Verbal Analogue Scale); Pain Interference (item from Short Form 12); Depression (Brief Patient Health Questionnaire).


RESULTS
Multivariate clustering indicated four SCI pain subgroups: (1) Low Pain (low pain intensity, pain interference, and depression); (2) Positive Adaptation to Pain (high pain intensity, low pain interference and depression); (3) Minimal Distress (high pain intensity, high pain interference, and low depression); and (4) Chronic Pain Syndrome (high pain intensity, pain interference, and depression).


CONCLUSIONS
Homogeneous SCI pain subgroups may be important for clinicians to consider in treatment planning and research.
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Michael W
MW
Wilson
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
J Scott
JS
Richards
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Joshua C
JC
Klapow
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Michael J
MJ
DeVivo
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Paul
P
Greene
Pain; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injury; Treatment outcome