| Observations of pain behavior have distinct advantages over self-report measures of pain. This is especially critical in a chronic lower back pain population. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether a streamlined behavior observation adapted from Keefe and Block's (1982) 10-minute observation is effective in identifying somatic amplification in a sample of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) sufferers. Somatic amplification describes the tendency to report physical symptoms that are out of proportion to medical findings. We examined the relationship between a 4-minute behavior observation and the Somatic Amplification Rating Scale (SARS), a physiological exam measuring incongruent physical symptoms. Ninety-seven participants were recruited to take part in a study that examined levels of somatic amplification, affective distress, and frequency of pain behaviors. Results indicated the 4-minute behavior observation is effective in identifying somatic amplification and affective distress in a CLBP population. Somatic amplification as measured by the SARS however, was not related to symptoms of affective distress. It is concluded that both the SARS and the 4-minute behavior observation are necessary but not sufficient to gain a broad picture and understanding of patients' experiences with pain. |
