1 Introduction
In this issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, Mark Jensen and colleagues [1] publish a study testing two specific predictions put forward by the Behavioural Inhibition/Behavioural Activation (BIS/BAS) two-factor model of chronic pain [2]. First, the authors hypothesized that trait behavioural inhibition, namely the tendency to respond to signals of threat with behavioural withdrawal and negative emotions [1], would have a direct negative effect on the psychological and physical functioning of people with chronic pain. Second, the authors also hypothesized the existence of an indirect (moderating) effect of trait behavioural inhibition on the relationship between pain-related cognitions and functioning. Cross-sectional self-report data from 88 chronic pain patients showed partial support for these hypotheses. Trait behavioural inhibition was found to have the expected direct negative effect on depression, but not on physical functioning. The expected moderating effect was only shown for the relationship between fear of movement/re (injury) and depression. This study offers partial support to a newly proposed theory, thus encouraging research in this area.
2 The behaviour of behavioural inhibition
The concepts of behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation are only now starting to be investigated in the field of pain. Previous research in other fields has also shown a direct effect of trait behavioural inhibition on depression (e.g., Gable et al. [3]). Unfortunately, the results did not yield the expected (direct or indirect) effects of trait behavioural inhibition on pain interference, which is how physical functioning was operationalized in the study of Jensen et al. [1]. We believe that this null finding raises an important conceptual issue with regards to the nature of the direct relationship between behavioural inhibition and physical functioning.
Behavioural inhibition is described as an action tendency, but not as an action itself. Its effects on physical functioning will thus presumably be mediated by intermediate behavioural processes. These are likely to reflect attempts to avoid cues, activities or events that are expected to cause pain. Future studies may include measures of avoidance behaviour or other activity patterns, and investigate whether they mediate the relationship between trait behavioural inhibition and physical functioning. Understanding the exact behaviours likely to reflect a high trait behavioural inhibition in the context of (chronic) pain will potentially also lead to modifications or refinements of the 2-factor BIS/BAS model [2].
3 Measuring behavioural inhibition in the context of pain
To measure behavioural inhibition, the authors used the BIS subscale by Carver and White [4]. This is a widely used measure with good psychometric qualities (e.g., Leone et al. [5]). However, this measure reflects “a concern over the possibility of a bad occurrence [...] or a sensitivity to such events when they do occur” (Carver and White, 1994, p. 322 [4]), and, asJensenet al. [1] acknowledge, is not specific to pain. The authors suggest that this generic instrument failed to yield (larger) effects that would otherwise be revealed had a pain-specific measure of behavioural inhibition been used.
Although this is plausible, we wonder what the theoretical implications of such a measure would be. One of the important assets of the 2-factor BIS/BAS model of pain [2], which the present study byJensen et al. [1] partially tested, is that it proposes overarching, pain-irrelevant personality factors that predispose individuals to pain problems. In this way, the measure can predict which individuals are likely to develop chronic pain problems when confronted with pain at some point in their lives (e.g., due to an operation or injury). This characteristic differentiates the 2- factor BIS/BAS model from othertheoretical approaches, such as the Fear-Avoidance Model of pain of Vlaeyen and Linton [6,7], which focus on pain-specific factors. Further, this asset might be lost if trait behavioural inhibition is substituted by pain-specific behavioural inhibition, because the latter will likely overlap too much with existing constructs such as pain-related fear or pain catastrophizing (cf. [8]).
Further, whereas it will be possible to specify behavioural inhibition with regards to pain, the same will likely not be possible with behavioural activation, which by definition focuses on reward, and might thus be a subject of more variability. In our opinion, given that the 2-factor BIS/BAS model of pain was proposed recently [2], it deserves to first undergo rigorous testing before the focus of its main concepts is adjusted from being generic to being specific to pain.
4 Conclusion
The findings presented by Jensen et al. [1] provide partial support to specific expectations put forward by the recently proposed 2-factor BIS/BAS model of pain [2]. Although not all hypotheses were confirmed, it is important that the investigation of the model’s predictions continues. Given the finding that the relationships predicted by the model are to a large degree bidirectional, the accumulating body of research will ideally extend to include also experimental and longitudinal studies that will investigate this bidirectionality of the relationships. Prospective studies, for example with patients about to undergo an operation, might shed light on whether levels of trait behavioural inhibition (as well as trait behavioural activation), predict whether the patient will recover swiftly or will take the maladaptive path to pain chronification.
DOI of refers to article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.07.002.
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Conflict of interest: None declared.
Acknowledgments
RG is supported by a PhD “Aspirant” grant (grant ID = 11N8215N) funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders, Belgium (FWO Vlaanderen). JWS is supported by the “Asthenes” long-term structural funding - Methusalem grant by the Flemish Government, Belgium (METH/15/011).
References
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[2] Jensen MP, Ehde DM, Day MA. The behavioral activation and inhibition systems: implications for understanding and treating chronic pain. J Pain 2016;17:529, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/jjpain.2016.02.001,e1-529.e18.Search in Google Scholar
[3] Gable SL, Reis HT, Elliot AJ. Behavioral activation and inhibition in everyday life. J Pers Soc Psychol 2000;78:1135–49, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.78.6.1135.Search in Google Scholar
[4] Carver CS, White TL. Behavioral inhibition, behavioral activation, and affective responses to impending reward and punishment: the BIS/BAS scales. J Pers Soc Psychol 1994;67:319–33.Search in Google Scholar
[5] Leone L, Perugini M, Bagozzi RP, Pierro A, Mannetti L. Construct validity and generalizability of the Carver-White behavioural inhibition system/behavioural activationsystem scales. EurJ Personal 2001;15:373–90.Search in Google Scholar
[6] Vlaeyen JWS, Linton SJ. Fear-avoidance and its consequences in chronic musculoskeletal pain: astate of the art. Pain 2000;85:317–32.Search in Google Scholar
[7] Vlaeyen JWS, Linton SJ. Fear-avoidance model of chronic musculoskeletal pain: 12 years on. Pain 2012;153:1144–7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016Zj.pain.2011.12.009.Search in Google Scholar
[8] Jensen MP, Ward LC, Thorn BE, Ehde DM, Day MA. Measuring the cognitions, emotions, and motivation associated with avoidance behaviors in the context of pain: preliminary development of the negative responsivity to pain scales. Clin J Pain 2017;33:325–34, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000407.Search in Google Scholar
© 2017 Scandinavian Association for the Study of Pain
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- Observational study
- Perceived sleep deficit is a strong predictor of RLS in multisite pain – A population based study in middle aged females
- Clinical pain research
- Prospective, double blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing vapocoolant spray versus placebo spray in adults undergoing intravenous cannulation
- Clinical pain research
- The Functional Barometer — An analysis of a self-assessment questionnaire with ICF-coding regarding functional/activity limitations and quality of life due to pain — Differences in age gender and origin of pain
- Clinical pain research
- Clinical outcome following anterior arthrodesis in patients with presumed sacroiliac joint pain
- Observational study
- Chronic disruptive pain in emerging adults with and without chronic health conditions and the moderating role of psychiatric disorders: Evidence from a population-based cross-sectional survey in Canada
- Educational case report
- Management of patients with pain and severe side effects while on intrathecal morphine therapy: A case study
- Clinical pain research
- Behavioral inhibition, maladaptive pain cognitions, and function in patients with chronic pain
- Observational study
- Comparison of patients diagnosed with “complex pain” and “somatoform pain”
- Original experimental
- Patient perspectives on wait times and the impact on their life: A waiting room survey in a chronic pain clinic
- Topical review
- New evidence for a pain personality? A critical review of the last 120 years of pain and personality
- Clinical pain research
- A multi-facet pain survey of psychosocial complaints among patients with long-standing non-malignant pain
- Clinical pain research
- Pain patients’ experiences of validation and invalidation from physicians before and after multimodal pain rehabilitation: Associations with pain, negative affectivity, and treatment outcome
- Observational study
- Long-term treatment in chronic noncancer pain: Results of an observational study comparing opioid and nonopioid therapy
- Clinical pain research
- COMBAT study – Computer based assessment and treatment – A clinical trial evaluating impact of a computerized clinical decision support tool on pain in cancer patients
- Original experimental
- Quantitative sensory tests fairly reflect immediate effects of oxycodone in chronic low-back pain
- Editorial comment
- Spatial summation of pain and its meaning to patients
- Original experimental
- Effects of validating communication on recall during a pain-task in healthy participants
- Original experimental
- Comparison of spatial summation properties at different body sites
- Editorial comment
- Behavioural inhibition in the context of pain: Measurement and conceptual issues
- Clinical pain research
- A randomized study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of a single dose of the TRPV1 antagonist mavatrep in patients with osteoarthritis
- Editorial comment
- Quantitative sensory tests (QST) are promising tests for clinical relevance of anti–nociceptive effects of new analgesic treatments
- Educational case report
- Pregabalin as adjunct in a multimodal pain therapy after traumatic foot amputation — A case report of a 4-year-old girl
- Editorial comment
- Severe side effects from intrathecal morphine for chronic pain after repeated failed spinal operations
- Editorial comment
- Opioids in chronic pain – Primum non nocere
- Editorial comment
- Finally a promising analgesic signal in a long-awaited new class of drugs: TRPV1 antagonist mavatrep in patients with osteoarthritis (OA)
- Observational study
- The relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain, anxiety and mindfulness: Adjustments to the Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain
- Clinical pain research
- Opioid tapering in patients with prescription opioid use disorder: A retrospective study
- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Observational study
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Topical review
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- Editorial comment
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- Clinical pain research
- PhKv a toxin isolated from the spider venom induces antinociception by inhibition of cholinesterase activating cholinergic system
- Clinical pain research
- Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (LACNES): A previously unrecognized cause of intractable flank pain
- Editorial comment
- Towards a structured examination of contextual flexibility in persistent pain
- Clinical pain research
- Context sensitive regulation of pain and emotion: Development and initial validation of a scale for context insensitive avoidance
- Editorial comment
- Is the search for a “pain personality” of added value to the Fear-Avoidance-Model (FAM) of chronic pain?
- Editorial comment
- Importance for patients of feeling accepted and understood by physicians before and after multimodal pain rehabilitation
- Editorial comment
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- Observational study
- Assessment and treatment at a pain clinic: A one-year follow-up of patients with chronic pain
- Clinical pain research
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- Clinical pain research
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- Observational study
- The use of rapid onset fentanyl in children and young people for breakthrough cancer pain
- Original experimental
- Acid-induced experimental muscle pain and hyperalgesia with single and repeated infusion in human forearm
- Original experimental
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- Clinical pain research
- The cognitive impact of chronic low back pain: Positive effect of multidisciplinary pain therapy
- Clinical pain research
- Central sensitization associated with low fetal hemoglobin levels in adults with sickle cell anemia
- Topical review
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- Original experimental
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- Original experimental
- Coping with pain in intimate situations: Applying the avoidance-endurance model to women with vulvovaginal pain
- Clinical pain research
- Chronic low back pain and the transdiagnostic process: How do cognitive and emotional dysregulations contribute to the intensity of risk factors and pain?
- Original experimental
- The impact of the Standard American Diet in rats: Effects on behavior, physiology and recovery from inflammatory injury
- Educational case report
- Erector spinae plane (ESP) block in the management of post thoracotomy pain syndrome: A case series
- Original experimental
- Hyperbaric oxygenation alleviates chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain and inhibits GABAergic neuron apoptosis in the spinal cord
- Observational study
- Predictors of chronic neuropathic pain after scoliosis surgery in children
- Clinical pain research
- Hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic pain: An intervention study in a university hospital
- Clinical pain research
- A novel miniature, wireless neurostimulator in the management of chronic craniofacial pain: Preliminary results from a prospective pilot study
- Clinical pain research
- Implicit evaluations and physiological threat responses in people with persistent low back pain and fear of bending
- Original experimental
- Unpredictable pain timings lead to greater pain when people are highly intolerant of uncertainty
- Original experimental
- Initial validation of the exercise chronic pain acceptance questionnaire
- Clinical pain research
- Exploring patient experiences of a pain management centre: A qualitative study
- Clinical pain research
- Narratives of life with long-term low back pain: A follow up interview study
- Observational study
- Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction through differential patterns of physical and psychological disruption
- Clinical pain research
- Chronic pain disrupts ability to work by interfering with social function: A cross-sectional study
- Original experimental
- Evaluation of external vibratory stimulation as a treatment for chronic scrotal pain in adult men: A single center open label pilot study
- Observational study
- Impact of analgesics on executive function and memory in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Database
- Clinical pain research
- Visualization of painful inflammation in patients with pain after traumatic ankle sprain using [11C]-D-deprenyl PET/CT
- Original experimental
- Developing a model for measuring fear of pain in Norwegian samples: The Fear of Pain Questionnaire Norway
- Topical review
- Psychoneuroimmunological approach to gastrointestinal related pain
- Letter to the Editor
- Do we need an updated definition of pain?
- Narrative review
- Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?
- Book Review
- Physical Diagnosis of Pain
- Book Review
- Advances in Anesthesia
- Book Review
- Atlas of Pain Management Injection Techniques
- Book Review
- Sedation: A Guide to Patient Management
- Book Review
- Basics of Anesthesia