A hypothetical model of pain perception in patients with chronic pain: The predictive role of unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors

Objective. - Chronic pain has a great prevalence in the society of adults, which causes important problems for health and quality of life. The present study aims to investigate a hypothetical model of pain perception in patients with chronic pain, considering the role of unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors. Methods. - A total of 391 patients (155 males, 236 females) who referred to the pain centers in Tehran suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, participated in the study. Participants were asked to complete the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), The Inhibition/Activation System Scale (BIS/BAS), Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results. - The results revealed that the model could anticipate the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain. Immature defence style, behavioral inhibition system, alexithymia, and meta-cognitive beliefs predicted the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain. Conclusion. - Evaluation of results indicated that the perception of the intensity of pain in patients with chronic pain is affected by unconscious, emotional, behavioral and meta-cognitive factors. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.