Association Between Pain Severity, Pain Beliefs, Pain Coping and Attitudes Towards Complementary and Alternative Treatments among Physical Therapy Patients

Objective: The study aimed to determine the correlation between pain severity, pain beliefs, pain coping, and attitudes toward complementary and alternative treatments among physical therapy patients. Methods: This cross-sectional and analytical was conducted in a physical therapy and rehabilitation hospital in north-eastern Turkey. The sample consisted of 150 physical therapy patients. Data were collected using Demographic Information Form, Pain Beliefs Questionnaire, Pain Coping Questionnaire, and Attitudes towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire. Spearman’s Correlation Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis were used in data analysis. Results: The study revealed that the patients had negative attitudes towards complementary (13.64 ± 4.00) and alternative medicine use (13.18 ± 4.14). The scores were moderate for the patients' psychological (18.62 ± 3.69) and organic belief (33.68 ± 5.17). A significant correlation was determined between patients’ attitudes towards complementary medical treatment and conventional medical treatment for pain (p=0.020). The patients had moderate pain intensity (5.70±2.44), and there was a significant correlation between pain intensity and attitudes towards alternative medicine (p=0.012). Conclusion: Physical therapy patients’ attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine are associated with pain coping and severity. The patients should be educated to cope with pain and manage it by health professionals.