Cognitive responses and the control of post-operative pain.

This paper examines the relationship between spontaneous cognitive responses and reported pain experience in an acute pain population. Fifty-two patients, admitted for planned major surgery, had their pain intensity, distress and coping responses assessed 48 hours post-operatively. Significant correlations were obtained between negative responses and ratings of pain intensity and distress. No significant correlation was obtained between the analgesic dose and any other variable. The implications of the findings for the management of post-operative pain are discussed.