Pain in spinal cord injuries: investigating associated factors

A longitudinal (in-patient) study and a cross-sectional (out-patient) study investigating the contribution of cortisol, psychological and social factors in the experience of chronic pain in spinal cord injured patients

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN26442074

Enrollment

220

Registered

2013-12-03

Start date

2014-05-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2017-09-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic pain in patients with a spinal cord injury Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning Injury of spinal cord, level unspecified

Interventions

A longitudinal, multiple assessment-point design will be used with spinal cord injured in-patients at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC), Stoke Mandeville. Participants will be asked to comple

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Men and women with a spinal cord injury 2. English speaking 3. Experiencing chronic pain 4. Aged 18 years or over 5. Considered by health professionals/ward staff to be well enough to participate

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. A significant head injury or communication disorder that would impair their ability to complete questionnaires 2. Illiterate

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Pain intensity, measured using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory - Spinal Cord Injury and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Pain at 3, 6 and 12 months following injury for in-patients and on one occasion with out-patients	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Measure at 3, 6 and 12 months after admission to the NSIC: 1. Catastrophising, measured using Pain Catastrophising Scale 2. Appraisals, measured using Appraisals of Disability: Primary and Secondary Scale 3. Pain acceptance, measured using Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire 4. Cortisol concentration, analysed using salivary samples and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 5. Perceived stress, measured using Perceived Stress Scale 6. Mental defeat, measured by the Pain Self-Perception Scale 7. Anxiety and depression, measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 8. Disability, measured using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory-SCI	—

Measure

Time frame

Measure at 3, 6 and 12 months after admission to the NSIC: 1. Catastrophising, measured using Pain Catastrophising Scale 2. Appraisals, measured using Appraisals of Disability: Primary and Secondary Scale 3. Pain acceptance, measured using Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire 4. Cortisol concentration, analysed using salivary samples and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 5. Perceived stress, measured using Perceived Stress Scale 6. Mental defeat, measured by the Pain Self-Perception Scale 7. Anxiety and depression, measured using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 8. Disability, measured using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory-SCI

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Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026