Characteristics of Coping Strategies for Dysesthesia in Preoperative Patients with Compressive Cervical Myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study. PURPOSE This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of coping strategies for dysesthesia in preoperative patients with compressive cervical myelopathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for patients with chronic pain in terms of modifying their negative behavior. To effectively perform cognitive behavioral therapy, it is necessary to assess coping strategies because of their important roles in health-related quality of life. METHODS Sixty-one preoperative patients with compressive cervical myelopathy (men, 39; women, 22; 61.0±11.6 years) participated. Coping strategies for dysesthesia (coping strategies questionnaire) and subjective symptoms (numerical rating scale for dysesthesia intensity and Japanese Orthopaedic Association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire) were investigated. RESULTS There were moderately significant correlations among the subcategory scores of the coping strategies questionnaire (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient [rs]≤0.69, p<0.05); the praying/hoping and catastrophizing scores were significantly correlated with the numerical rating scale score of dysesthesia (both; rs=0.34, p<0.01); there were no correlations between the coping strategy scores and the cervical spine function and upper and lower extremity motor function scores of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association cervical myelopathy evaluation questionnaire; and there were no significant associations between the coping strategy scores and age, sex, and symptom duration. CONCLUSIONS Various combinations of coping strategies for dysesthesia were selected in patients with compressive cervical myelopathy, and frequency of use of the coping strategies was not related to the perceived severity of cervical myelopathy or demographic factors.