Pain across traumatic injury groups: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research model systems study

J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 2020 · DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002849 · Published: October 1, 2020

Simple Explanation

This study examines pain intensity and its impact on daily life (pain interference) in people who have experienced burn injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or spinal cord injuries (SCI). These measures were taken at the beginning of the study and one year later and then compared to those of the general population. The researchers used a special pain interference questionnaire developed for trauma patients. This questionnaire helps to understand how much pain affects things like social activities, thinking, and sleep. The findings indicate that pain remains a significant issue for many individuals with these injuries, even long after the initial injury phase. This suggests that ongoing pain assessment and management are crucial for improving the quality of life for trauma survivors.

Study Duration

Between July 2015 and October 2018

Participants

527 (burn, 161; TBI, 232; SCI, 134)

Evidence Level

Level IV Epidemiologic/Therapeutic study

Key Findings

1
At the start of the study, individuals in all three injury groups (burn, TBI, and SCI) reported significantly higher pain intensity and interference compared to the general population.
2
One year later, people with SCI and burn injuries still reported higher pain intensity than the general population, and those with SCI also reported greater pain interference.
3
A significant portion of participants reported clinically significant pain interference, with about half at the beginning of the study and one-third after one year.

Research Summary

This study investigated pain intensity and interference in individuals with burn, TBI, and SCI compared to the general population, using a custom PROMIS pain interference short form. The results showed that pain and its interference with daily life were significantly higher in all three injury groups at baseline compared to the general population. At 1 year postinjury, pain intensity remained higher in SCI and burn patients compared to the general population, while only SCI patients reported higher pain interference.

Practical Implications

Long-Term Pain Management

The study highlights the need for continued pain assessment and management for individuals with burn, TBI, and SCI, even long after the initial injury phase.

Customized Pain Assessment

The custom PROMIS pain interference short forms proved useful in assessing pain in trauma populations, allowing for comparisons across different injury groups and the general population.

Tailored Interventions

The differing pain experiences among the injury groups suggest the need for tailored pain management interventions that address the specific needs of each population.

Study Limitations

1
The model systems enroll people with moderate to severe injuries and are not representative of the three trauma populations.
2
We could not compare severity of injury, independence, or mental health across the groups as no comparable measures were administered.
3
No pain-related or other treatments were included in the analyses, although participants were free to seek any treatments necessary, so differential treatment could have occurred.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Pain Management