Diagnostic change and personality stability following functional restoration treatment in chronic low back pain patients

This study examined personality pathology in a group of patients with chron ic low back pain (CLBP) using both diagnostic interviews and dimensional se lf-report instruments. A group of CLBP patients (N = 125) was assessed befo re functional,restoration treatment and compared with a matched normal comp arison group (N = 75). The CLBP group evidenced broad personality pathology in all assessment modes pretreatment relative to the normal comparison sam ple. In addition, two subsamples of CLBP patients (n = 49 and n = 56) were assessed after treatment. Reductions in personality pathology between pre- and posttreatment assessments were more pronounced for diagnostic interview than dimensional self-report assessments. These results are discussed in t he context of personality assessment and CLBP.