Executive Functioning in Females Living With Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a musculoskeletal condition that is treated by physiotherapists. CPP refers to constant or intermittent pain in the pelvic region lasting at least 6 months in duration. Despite links between other chronic pain conditions and impaired executive functioning (EF), the relationship between CPP and EF has not been examined. Objectives: To examine (1) the feasibility of recruitment, retention of potential participants, and virtual data collection to discover; (2) whether EF assessment measures suggest the presence of EF impairment in participants living with CPP; and (3) how self-reported scores on pain catastrophizing, central sensitization, depression, anxiety, and stress among those living with CPP compare with normative data. Study Design: In this cross-sectional pilot study, participants were included if they self-identified as a female, reported living with CPP, and were 18 to 40 years of age. Method: Virtual interviews were conducted to administer the Central Sensitization Inventory, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, short version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, Oral Trail-Making Test, a phonemic verbal fluency FAS test, and the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised. Results: A total of 35 people participated in the study (60.34% of all interested potential participants). When compared with normative data, participants displayed difficulties on the verbal fluency FAS test and the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised. Conclusion: It is feasible to recruit and retain participants using virtual interviews to study EF in females living with CPP. Some assessment measures of EF indicated the presence of impairment. Central sensitization, catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and stress scores were high.