Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the level of pain and depression in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were middle-aged women who visited two back pain clinics in W...

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the level of pain and depression in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were middle-aged women who visited two back pain clinics in Wonju from October, 2006 through February, 2007. A total of 195 low back pain patients agreed to participate in this study, and data from 177 were analyzed. Data was collected using a questionnaire which included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Center Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale(CES-D), and general characteristics. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized in the analysis. Results: The mean score for chronic low back pain as measured by the VAS was 4.99 (SD 2.41). The average score for depression as measured by the CES-D was 22.00 (SD 10.18). There was a significant relationship between the level of pain and depression (r=.372, p<.001). Conclusion: Nurses need to take into consideration depression of middle-age women with chronic low back pain for assessment and intervention. In the future, developing a strategy for integrating intervention of pain-control and depression will be needed in nursing care for middle-aged women with chronic low back pain.

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