Towards a better Comprehension and Management of Pain and Psychological Distress in Parkinson’s: The Role of Catastrophizing

Abstract

Objectives

Pain is very prevalent in Parkinson’s and challenging to manage. As many people with Parkinson’s (PwP) with pain suffer from anxious and depressive symptoms, we examined the role of catastrophizing in mediating the relationship between pain and psychological distress for this population.

Methods

169 international PwP completed an online survey with socio-demographic and medical data. Participants completed psychometric tests to assess their pain (King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Beck Depression Inventory and Parkinson Anxiety Scale), pain coping strategies (Coping Strategies Questionnaire) and pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale).

Results

Depending on the tool used, 82.8% to 95.2% of participants reported pain. 23.5 % and 67.5% of participants showed respectively significant levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Psychological distress was significantly correlated with the quality of pain (both sensory and affective dimensions). Statistical models highlighted the mediating role of catastrophizing in the relationship between psychological distress and pain in Parkinson’s.

Conclusion

These findings offer new perspectives toward understanding the underlying mechanisms of pain in Parkinson’s and for effective therapeutic intervention goals to facilitate adaptation to pain symptoms in Parkinson’s.