The Relationships Between Pain-Catastrophizing Subcomponents and Multiple Pain-Related Outcomes in Japanese Outpatients with Chronic Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives The present study sought to examine associations between the pain-catastrophizing subcomponents and multiple pain-related outcomes in Japanese individuals with chronic pain. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed with 213 chronic pain outpatients. The participants were recruited from 3 units at a university hospital and from a pain clinic at a municipal hospital. Study measures were used to assess pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, pain interference, and pain severity. Results Path analysis with multiple pain-related outcomes while controlling for age and gender revealed that the Helplessness subcomponent was associated with anxiety, depression, pain interference, and pain severity. The Magnification subcomponent was related to anxiety and depression, and the Rumination subcomponent accounted for the variance of pain interference. Discussion The present results suggested the important role of helplessness across cultural backgrounds. It also provides guidance on the application of cognitive behavioral techniques for chronic pain management in Japan.