CHRONIC LOW-BACK-PAIN - TOWARD AN INTEGRATED PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT MODEL

This study reports on the integration of 6 dimensions of chronic low b ack pain to provide a multidimensional profile of the patient. These d imensions were pain intensity, functional disability, attitudes toward pain, pain coping strategies, depression, and illness behavior. Clust er analysis of the data obtained from 100 patients with chronic low ba ck pain revealed the presence of 3 distinct patient groups: patients w ho were in control, patients who were depressed and disabled, and pati ents who were active copers with high denial. The validity of these cl usters was supported by significance testing on several external varia bles.