Reciprocal associations of pain and post ‐traumatic stress symptoms after whiplash injury: A longitudinal, cross‐lagged study

ConclusionsThe results point to a temporal main effect of post‐traumatic stress symptoms on pain over and above the stability of pain itself within the first 3 months post‐injury and again in the chronic phase from 6 to 12 months with hyperarousal symptoms driving these effects. From 3 to 6 months, there was a slip in the maintenance patterns with no cross‐lagged effects. SignificanceInvestigating mutual maintenance of pain and PTSS in whiplash, the present study found evidence suggesting a maintaining effect of PTSS on pain within the first 3 months post‐injury and from 6 to 12 months driven by hyperarousal, highlighting the importance of addressing PTSS.
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research