Relationships between pain misconceptions, disability, patients' goals and interpretation of information from hand therapists

Abstract

Introduction: Patient interpretation of advice from hand therapists may be related to nonadaptive pain thoughts (automatic, overprotective, unduly pessimistic statements triggered by nociception and exacerbated by psychological distress).

Purpose of the study: This study aimed to determine whether there were correlations between participants' hand therapy goals, interpretation of advice from hand therapists, nonadaptive pain thoughts, and upper extremity-specific disability.

Methods: One hundred and five participants completed questionnaires assessing nonadaptive pain thoughts, upper extremity-specific disability, lessons from hand therapists, and hand therapy goals.

Results: Nonadaptive pain thoughts correlated with disability and were bi-directionally related to participant goals and interpretation of advice from hand therapists.

Discussion: Patients' nonadapative pain thoughts and the words/concepts used by hand therapists are both important in recovery from upper extremity illness.

Conclusions: Hand therapists should be mindful that nonadaptive pain thoughts are an important determinant of disability and that such thoughts can affect and be affected by their recommendations.

Level of evidence: n/a.

Keywords: Disability; Hand therapy; Misconceptions; Negative pain thoughts.