Psychological evaluation and pain assessment in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Abstract

This research study was initiated to measure objectively the psychological profile and pain levels of patients who developed the signs and symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). The results from tests of the RSD patients were compared with a control group of hand-injured patients who showed no abnormal autonomic involvement.Reflect sympathetic dystrophy was defined for diagnostic purposes. Entrance criteria consisting of characteristic symptoms and signs of autonomic dysfunction were established with appropriate measurements. Based on these criteria, nine patients were diagnosed as having RSD. Eight patients, who did not show sufficient symptoms to be so diagnosed, were placed in the control group.All of the patients completed a battery of objective psychological tests that included the Shipley-Hartford Vocabulary Test, Rotter Locus of Control, Body-Cathexis-Self-Cathexis Appraisal, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist. In order to measure the pain levels in both groups, two pain tests were administered: the Visual Analogue Scale and the Ischemic Pain Ratio.Results showed significant differences in the psychological test scores of the RSD patients compared to the control group in the dimensions of depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity and body cathexis. Pain evaluation scores showed no difference in pain levels between the two groups.