Personality characteristics, perception of pain and the attainment of self-care in patients with spinal fusion

[摘要] BackgroundSelf-care activities are often most affected after a spinal fusion and arepriority goals of the individualised treatment approach. Many patientsundergo spinal fusions with similar levels and instrumentation. Despiteprocedural similarities, some patients return to participation within self-careactivities effortlessly, whilst others display delayed independence. Literaturesuggests that personality traits and patients` perceived experience of pain istwo contributing factors in rehabilitation. The aim of this study was toinvestigate the associations between these factors.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study populationincluded 61 patients who underwent a spinal fusion amid October 2015 andJune 2016. Data was gathered pre-operatively and post-operatively. Selfcompiled- and standardised questionnaires were used to measure pain,personality and self-care activities.ResultsPerfectionism (57.4%), tension (44.3%) and apprehension (44.3%) werehigh-indicated primary factors. Low emotional stability and seriousness werefound in majority (73.8%) of the participants.Study participants (49.2%) who had high functional impairments due to paindisplayed high levels of anxiety. Low levels of functional impairments wererelated to high levels of independence, tough-mindedness and self-control.Caring for toe nails, drying hair and engaging in sexual intercourse were themost affected self-care areas pre- and post-operatively. 68.9% of participantsattained both self-care goals.ConclusionParticipants with high anxiety and low independence, tough-mindedness andself-control, experienced more pain. Higher levels of pain are associated withdecreased goal attainment. However, despite a higher pain perception, thepresence of certain personality characteristics namely: low extraversion, highindependence and self-control leads to higher goal attainment. Resultsconfirm that personality characteristics influence pain perception and theattainment of self-care goals.

[发布机构] University of the Free State