Affective Response And Pain Measurement Correlations In A 500 Mile Pilgrimage: El Camino De Santiago

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated a link between affective characteristics and pain measurements in relation to exercise, but the extent to which these links might apply to long term exercise has not been investigated. PURPOSE: To determine the link between psychological response and pain perception over the course of an extended period of high volume-low intensity exercise. METHODS: A PANAS-X survey and a pain measurement questionnaire for 15 pilgrims (10 female, 5 male; 20.8 yrs) was assessed at 7 different points. One PANAS trait survey was completed prior to departure (pre), 3 PANAS state surveys were completed at 3 different times (AM, midday, PM) within the first three days of walking and another 3 PANAS trait surveys were completed at 3 predetermined rest points (rest1, rest2, post). RESULTS: Negative affects (state and trait) were correlated with the perception of current pain for all time points except rest day 1 and post (r= 0.725 pre, 0.596 AM, 0.673 midday, 0.597 PM, 0.550 rest2; P < 0.05). Negative affect (state) were also correlated with perception of worst pain at all time points (r= 0.653 AM, 0.572 midday, 0.515 PM; P < 0.05). Sadness (state) was most highly correlated with best pain in the evening (pm)(r= 0.882; P < 0.05). Sadness (trait) was most highly correlated with current pain level (pre)(r= 0.754; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Negative affect was identified as strong predictors of pain throughout the pilgrimage. Most notably, sadness was the strongest correlate with pain measurements throughout the extent of the study except at the end of the pilgrimage. Therefore, it appears that both psychological state and trait characteristics can predict pain perception during a period of high volume- low intensity exercise.