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. 2011 Feb;56(1):52-7.
doi: 10.1037/a0022683.

Positive affect and pain ratings in persons with stroke

Ivonne-Marie Berges  1 , Gary Seale, Glenn V Ostir
Affiliations

Positive affect and pain ratings in persons with stroke

Ivonne-Marie Berges et al. Rehabil Psychol. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between positive affect at discharge from inpatient medical rehabilitation and pain ratings 3 months postdischarge in persons with stroke aged 50 or older.

Design: A longitudinal study using information from the Stroke Recovery in Underserved Population (SRUP) data base. A 4-item positive affect scale and an 11-point visual analog pain scale were collected at discharge and at 3 months postdischarge.

Participants: The study included 917 adults aged 50 and older with first-time stroke admitted to one of eleven inpatient medical rehabilitation facilities across the United States.

Results: The mean age of the sample was 71 years, 51.0% were women, and 51.6% were married. One third of the sample reported pain and the mean positive affect score was 9.2 (range 0-12). Cumulative logit models showed higher positive affect scores at discharge were significantly associated with lower pain ratings (OR: 0.87, 95% CI 0.81, 0.92) at 3-month follow-up after adjusting for discharge pain ratings, negative affect, and demographic and clinical characteristics.

Conclusion: High positive affect at discharge from inpatient medical rehabilitation was associated with lower pain ratings 3 months post discharge after controlling for pain and negative affect at discharge and clinical and demographic characteristics. The identification of links between positive affect and pain may contribute to a better understanding of functional recovery processes poststroke and the planning of therapeutic programs directed at the positive psychological strengths in elderly persons with stroke.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean pain ratings from discharge to 3 months post-discharge by positive affect score (N= 917).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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