Risk and Protective Factors in Multimodal Pain Therapy in Patients With Chronic Lumbal Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common causes of disease-related disabilities with regard to work ability, physical activity, and mobility, as well as in the development of depressive disorders and cognitive impairments. The multimodal pain therapy (MPT) is a multidisciplinary offer of medical, psychlogical and physiotherapeutic treatment. Currently, MPT is the best therapeutic option. However, there are still many non-responders. It is unknown, which patients will benefit from MPT and which contents are the most effective. Besides somatic factors, the relevance of psychosocial risk factors, such as dysfunctional pain management or disstress and depression, are evident in patients suffering from CLBP. Concepts, such as the Avoidance-Endurance Model of pain (AEM) describe different pattern with regard of mood and pain management, offering an individual therapy. Patients with a fear-avoidance response pattern (FAR) and physical inactivity as well as patients with a depressive endurance response pattern (DER) and physical overactiviity show a poorer response to therapeutical and rehabilitative treatments. On the other side, patients with an adaptive response pattern (AR) and moderate physical activity, and patients with an eustress endurance response pattern (EER) react positive to MPT. If the relevance of these pattern will be shown in patients with CLBP, this would stand for a more individualised therapy concerning psychological and physiotherapeutical treatment (e.g., ExposureTherapy, Pacing). Currently it is unknown which factors are relevant for recovery in patients with AR. One possible protective factor is the personality factor "resilience". The current research situation in the field of chronic pain and resilience is still in its early days and raises the question, if partial aspects such as a high degree of pain acceptance, of self-compassion, and a positive body image show more directly and more clearly relations to a positive response to treatment. Furthermore, research has focused on cross-sectional studies. However, only prospective longitudinal studies will provide insight in cause-and-effect-relationship. On a clinically applied basis the diagnosis of risk and protective factors will play an outstanding role to establish a more individualised therapy and rehabilitation, as also the MPT.

For the diagnosis of the different pain pattern postulated by the AEM, the 9-item Avoidance Endurance Fast-Screen (AEFS) is a reliable and valid short screening. However, it has been investigated in patients with acute pain, so far. A separate validation for patients with CLPB is necessary. Our working group wants to tie up the planned prospective study to preliminary work and show for the first time processes of patients with CLBP undergoing MPT.

On a theoretical basis results will be informative about possible protective factors being important for recovery. On a clinically applied basis we plan the validation of a short-screening of psychosocial risk- and protective factors in patients with CLBP undergoing MPT.