Article

PURPOSE : To explore the association between perceived spasticity and
psychological factors (pain sensations, coping strategies, and illness
cognitions) in chronic spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. METHODS :
Cross-sectional study using a set of questionnaires was designed for chronic
complete patients with SCI and with self-reported leg spasticity. Outcome
measures were Visual Analogue Scale for average perceived leg spasticity
(VAS(Spasticity)), VAS(Pain) for average perceived pain sensations in the leg,
Utrecht Coping List (UCL) including its seven subscales, and Illness Cognition
Questionnaire (ICQ) with its three subscales. Psychological factors with a
bivariate correlation with VAS(Spasticity) of p < 0.2 were selected for
regression analyses. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with SCI (response rate 86%)
participated. Bivariate correlations of p < 0.2 were found between
VAS(Spasticity) and VAS(Pain), UCL(Active approach), UCL(Seeking social support),
UCL(Reassuring thoughts), ICQ(Acceptation), and ICQ(Helplessness). Only
UCL(Reassuring) (thoughts) (Beta -0.59, p = 0.01) and ICQ(Helplessness) (Beta
0.50, p = 0.02) were retained in the multivariate model, explaining 44% of the
variance in VAS(Spasticity) (R(2)(adjusted)). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived spasticity
appeared associated with psychological factors in complete patients with SCI:
Those with higher levels of reassuring thoughts and lower levels of helplessness
reported relatively lower levels of perceived spasticity. Large prospective
cohort studies are recommended.

Langue : ANGLAIS