Psychosocial correlates of pain intensity and neck disability index among people with non-specific neck pain in a low-resource setting: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Psychosocial factors such as pain catastrophising (PC), kinesiophobia, and pain self-efficacy (PSE) complicate disease burden among people with chronic pain and disability.

Purpose

To investigate the psychosocial correlates of neck pain intensity and disability among Nigerians with non-specific neck pain (NSNP).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of Nigerians with NSNP through hospitals-based consecutive sampling. Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Neck Disability Index questionnaire were used to assess participants’ pain intensity (PI) and neck disability (ND), respectively. Kinesiophobia, PC, and PSE were assessed using Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophising Scale, and Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire, respectively. Data analyses were completed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Participants were (24 males, 48 females) aged 51.56 ± 14.31 years. The average PI (5.28 ± 1.80) and ND (35.03 ± 17.85) were moderate. There were significant correlations between PC and PI (r = 0.350, p = 0.003), and ND (r = 0.339, p = 0.004); kinesiophobia and ND (r = 0.314, p = 0.007); and PSE and ND (r = − 0.561, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PC (β = 0.270, p = 0.026) and ND (β = 0.494, p = 0.001) significantly predicts PI, while age (β = 0.197, p = 0.038), PI (β = 0.344, p = 0.001), and PSE (β= −0.474, p < 0.001) predicts ND. There were no statistically significant gender differences in PC, kinesiophobia and PSE.

Conclusion

Non-specific neck pain and ND correlates with psychosocial factors such as PC and PSE, respectively. There were no gendered differences in psychosocial responses to NSNP, however, older individuals tend to have more severe ND. Assessment of age and psychosocial factors should be included in management of NSNP.

Keywords:

• Catastrophising
• neck pain
• pain management
• pain measurement
• psychological distress

Acknowledgement

The authors appreciate all the study participants, research assistants (physiotherapists), orthopaedic surgeons and nurses for their cooperation with the recruitment.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this study was sought and obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria (UI/EC//15/0069).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The questionnaire used and datasets analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study received no external funding.