The Relationship between Pain Self-efficacy and Pain intensity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Studies show that pain is a widespread symptom in multiple sclerosis (M.S) patients. A multi-dimensional comprehensive model in pain can be an appropriate approach for evaluation and management of pain related to multiple sclerosis. This model needs a comprehensive and accurate investigation of medical-biological factors. It also takes into consideration disabilities related to pain, affective deprivation, and psychological factors which result in constant pain simultaneously. This model is multi-dimensional and multidisciplinary, which can view each of bio-psycho-social dimensions of pain. This study aimed at investigating these models through evaluation of one psychological variable correlation (pain self efficacy) with pain intensity in M.S. In this study, 249 patients were selected through convenient sampling. They were selected among those who referred to M.S assembly of Isfahan. The data were analyzed through Pearson product moment correlation, regression analysis, and MANOVA. There is a significant negative correlation between pain self-efficacy and perceived intensity in M.S patients. The results of MANOVA also indicate that the highest correlation was reported to be between the highest rate of pain and the lowest rate of pain self-efficacy among the patients. This study provided empirical evidence supporting bio-psycho-social model and shows that psychological factors influence the perception and experience of pain intensity.