Associations Between Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF) Scores, Workers' Compensation Status, and Spine Surgery Outcome

This study examines whether workers' compensation (WC) patients respond more poorly to spine surgery than non‐WC patients and whether poorer outcome is associated with individual differences in personality and emotional variables, as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF). Three‐hundred eighty‐two patients underwent presurgical psychological screening that included a diagnostic interview and psychometric testing. Pain level, functional ability, work status, medication use, and emotional distress were assessed at baseline and at an average of 6 months postoperative. WC patients showed significantly poorer response to spine surgery than did non‐WC patients on measures of pain level, functional ability, work status, medication use, and emotional distress. MMPI‐2‐RF scales assessing demoralization, somatic complaints, and low positive emotions were found to be incrementally associated with diminished surgery results.

Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - December 3, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Andrew R. Block, Ryan J. Marek, Yossef S. Ben‐Porath, Donna D. Ohnmeiss Tags: Original Article Source Type: research