- My Library
- 2026 Issues
- Issue 107
- Pain self-efficacy mediates the relationship between…
Pain self-efficacy mediates the relationship between pain catastrophizing and physical function in people with knee Osteoarthritis
Review written by Todd Hargrove
Key Points
- In people with knee osteoarthritis, higher pain catastrophizing was associated with lower physical function. Lower pain self-efficacy statistically accounted for part of this association.
All key points available for members only
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
Pain catastrophizing measures the negative psychological reaction to pain in terms of levels of rumination, perception of threat, and sense of helplessness. Pain self-efficacy is a person's confidence that they can carry on with physical activities despite pain.
Some researchers have proposed that catastrophizing may reduce function by lowering self-efficacy. To answer that question, this study examined whether pain self-efficacy statistically mediates the association between pain catastrophizing and physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Pain catastrophizing measures the negative psychological reaction to pain in terms of levels of rumination, perception of threat, and sense of helplessness.
One reasonable approach is for therapists to focus more on improving patient self-efficacy than on trying to reduce catastrophizing.
METHODS
- The study included 104 adults with knee osteoarthritis. Each completed a survey that measured pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, and physical function.
to unlock full access to this review and 1324 more