Positive Health Online

Abstract

LOGAN and colleagues, Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City USA write that stress has long been viewed as a contributor to pain experienced by chronic pain patients. The authors studied the relationship between anticipated and experienced stress and anticipated and experienced pain levels in three groups of patients.

Background

Methodology

The three patient groups were chronic pain patients, patients about to undergo molar extraction (acute pain group) and a no-pain control group.

Results

Although the chronic pain patients anticipated significantly more stress than did the acute and non-pain patient groups, they reported non-significant differences in the actual levels of stress experienced. Cognitive factors studied which may contribute to increased anticipatory stress were similar to those previously reported by chronic headache sufferers. The chronic pain group had significantly higher scores than the other two groups regarding the stress they anticipated from matters related both to practical considerations and health. The authors discuss strategies the dentist can use in combination with dental therapy to reduce cognitive-based anticipatory stress as well as collaborative strategies for patients and mental health therapists.

Conclusion

References

Logan HL et al. Anticipatory stress reduction among chronic pain pataients. Spec Care Dentist 16(1): 8-14. Jan-Feb 1996.