Perception of control and appraisal of illness in chronic low back pain.

People who experience chronic low back pain face significant changes in their lives, and it is unclear why some people adapt to the pain situation better than others. Using a cognitive appraisal model, outcomes of the pain situation were examined in 40 chronic low back pain patients using situational control and appraisal of illness as predicted mediating factors. This article presents background of the problem and the results of the study.