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01-10-2012 | Fibromyalgia (MFP Peres, Section editor)

Anxiety and Fear-Avoidance in Musculoskeletal Pain

Authors: Giancarlo Lucchetti, Arão Belitardo Oliveira, Juliane Prieto Peres Mercante, Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is common in the general population and has been associated with anxiety in several ways: (a) muscle tension is included as a part of the diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, (b) pain can be a common symptom and a good indicator of an anxiety disorder, (c) anxiety is an independent predictor of quality of life in patients with chronic MP, (d) anxiety leads to higher levels of pain chronification, and (e) fear, anxiety, and avoidance are related to MP. The objective of this article is to explore the mechanisms underlying the relation between anxiety disorders and musculoskeletal pain as well as its management. We have also highlighted the role of spirituality and religiosity in MP treatment. We found some similarities between proposed mechanisms and explicative models for both conditions as well as an overlapping between the treatments available. The recognition of this association is important for professionals who deal with chronic pain.

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Title: Anxiety and Fear-Avoidance in Musculoskeletal Pain
Authors: Giancarlo Lucchetti
Arão Belitardo Oliveira
Juliane Prieto Peres Mercante
Mario Fernando Prieto Peres
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Current Science Inc.
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0286-7

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