Contributions
Abstract: P374
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Introduction: Chronic pain is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), and can have a negative impact on function. However, the presence of social support may buffer these negative effects. If social support is found to reduce the negative effects of pain on function, then social support could be a viable treatment target for individuals with MS and pain.
Methods: Individuals with MS endorsing at least some pain completed surveys assessing demographic variables (age, sex), pain intensity (0-10 NRS of average pain intensity), pain interference (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference [PROMIS] item bank scales) and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) on two occasions, separated by about 3.5 years (Timepoints 1 and 2). Regression analysis examined the ability of baseline social support to prospectively predict subsequent changes in pain interference, controlling for changes in pain intensity.
Results: 196 individuals (mean age: 53.87 years; 82% women) with MS and pain completed the measures. Change in pain intensity contributed significantly to the prediction of change in pain interference, controlling for demographic variables (R-square change = .19, F-change (1,231) = 44.66, p < .001). In addition, Timepoint 1 social support predicted change in pain interference over time, even after controlling for change in pain intensity (R-square change = .02, F-change (1,191) = 4.91, p = .042). Post-hoc tests found that those endorsing higher baseline social support reported subsequent decreases in pain interference (Mean PROMIS pain interference difference score = 2.08, SD = 9.20), while those endorsing lower baseline social support evidenced increases in pain interference (Mean = -0.90, SD = 8.55) over the next 3.5 years.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that higher levels of perceived social support is associated with subsequent improvements over time in pain interference for individuals with MS and pain, even when controlling for changes in pain intensity. On the other hand, lower levels of social support prospectively predict increases in pain interference. The findings are consistent with other research indicating multiple health benefits from the presence of social support. Research to develop and evaluate the benefits of interventions that enhance social support in individuals with MS and pain is warranted.
Disclosure: Mark Jensen: Nothing to disclose.
Arielle Silverman: Nothing to disclose.
Kevin Alschuler: Nothing to disclose.
Ivan Molton: Nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P374
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Introduction: Chronic pain is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), and can have a negative impact on function. However, the presence of social support may buffer these negative effects. If social support is found to reduce the negative effects of pain on function, then social support could be a viable treatment target for individuals with MS and pain.
Methods: Individuals with MS endorsing at least some pain completed surveys assessing demographic variables (age, sex), pain intensity (0-10 NRS of average pain intensity), pain interference (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference [PROMIS] item bank scales) and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) on two occasions, separated by about 3.5 years (Timepoints 1 and 2). Regression analysis examined the ability of baseline social support to prospectively predict subsequent changes in pain interference, controlling for changes in pain intensity.
Results: 196 individuals (mean age: 53.87 years; 82% women) with MS and pain completed the measures. Change in pain intensity contributed significantly to the prediction of change in pain interference, controlling for demographic variables (R-square change = .19, F-change (1,231) = 44.66, p < .001). In addition, Timepoint 1 social support predicted change in pain interference over time, even after controlling for change in pain intensity (R-square change = .02, F-change (1,191) = 4.91, p = .042). Post-hoc tests found that those endorsing higher baseline social support reported subsequent decreases in pain interference (Mean PROMIS pain interference difference score = 2.08, SD = 9.20), while those endorsing lower baseline social support evidenced increases in pain interference (Mean = -0.90, SD = 8.55) over the next 3.5 years.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that higher levels of perceived social support is associated with subsequent improvements over time in pain interference for individuals with MS and pain, even when controlling for changes in pain intensity. On the other hand, lower levels of social support prospectively predict increases in pain interference. The findings are consistent with other research indicating multiple health benefits from the presence of social support. Research to develop and evaluate the benefits of interventions that enhance social support in individuals with MS and pain is warranted.
Disclosure: Mark Jensen: Nothing to disclose.
Arielle Silverman: Nothing to disclose.
Kevin Alschuler: Nothing to disclose.
Ivan Molton: Nothing to disclose.