DIFFERENT MUSCULOSKELETAL PAINS AND SOCIOCULTURAL FEATURES: THE CASE OF PRIVATE NOBEL PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION MEDICAL CENTER

Abstract

Aim: It was conducted to evaluate the effect of some sociodemographic and cultural characteristics on pain perception and pain intensity in different musculoskeletal pains and to determine some characteristics related to pain. Method: By recording the demographic information and sociocultural characteristics of all participants; Scandinavian Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and McGill Pain Scale Short Form were used to assess pain perception and pain intensity. Results: 544 patients, 372 women and 172 men, with subacute and chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in this study. The average age of the participants was 40.74±14.53 years. When the effect of sociocultural factors on pain intensity and pain perception (sensory and perceptual dimensions) is examined; it was determined that as the education level increased, the severity of pain (p = 0.002) and pain perception decreased (p = 0.0001), and the pain intensity of the participants living in the village was higher (p = 0.014). While the severity of pain and pain perception were higher in female individuals, it was determined that they also increased with age. When the relationship between pain intensity and pain perception of the participants is examined; positive high relationship (r = 0.630, p = 0.0001) was found between the intensity of pain and sensory pain perception, and a moderate relationship (r = 0.597, p = 0.0001) was found between perceptual dimension. A high positive correlation was found between sensory and perceptual pain dimensions (r = 0.658, p = 0.0001) Conclusion: Chronic pain experience and pain perception levels are affected by social and cultural characteristics. Sociocultural characteristics of individuals should also be taken into consideration in pain relief. Studies examining the effects of different sociocultural characteristics such as language, religious belief, family structure, pet feeding or interaction with animals on musculoskeletal pain are also needed.