Journal of Clinical Trials
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0870
ISSN: 2167-0870
N Cs�¡sz�¡r-Nagy1, P Bagdi1, O Heincz2, Zs Mirnics2, N Pataki1, D P Stoll1 and P P Varga1
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Trials
Background: Our research was focused on (1) effect of resilience on quality of life and mood outcomes in chronic pain
patients using longitudinal data (2) comparison of effect of resilience to other illness and demographic variables as well as other
adjustment factors (e.g. life events).
Methods: The sample consisted of 300 patients with chronic pain treated at National Center for Spinal Disorders. At entry
into the cohort, patients had been diagnosed with chronic pain within the last 5 years. Baseline measures were administered
between 1996 and 2000. Psychological test battery consist of psychosocial parameters such as demographic (objective) variables
of adjustment (work and family status), quality of life, depression, anxiety, resilience, spiritual orientation were measured.
Results: No significant differences were found between either depression or anxiety scores at baseline and follow-up. Trait
anxiety, depression and quality of life scores differed significantly from standard data available for the general population,
deteriorated with time but were unrelated to age or gender. Resilience scores of the patients did not differ significantly from the
Hungarian preliminary standards. Four variables explained 57.1% of variance in quality of life outcomes, resilience being the
most powerful predictor of all. Anxiety and depression were also strongly predicted by resilience (r square=0.59 for anxiety and
r square=64% for depression). Further predictors were pain symptoms and some spirituality variables. No life event or other
health/illness variable effects emerged.
Conclusions: Illness and life event effects are buffered by resilience, a very powerful predictor of adaptive outcomes. Though
there is deterioration in quality of life and mood through the course of illness, outcomes are remarkably better in resilient
patients. The impact of this variable may result from through successful emotional regulation and more effective recovery from
stress events.