ABSTRACT

Objective : The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships among the pain catastrophizing scale, the motivation for rehabilitation, and activities of daily living (ADL) in stroke patients. Methods : A total of 113 stroke patients recruited from eleven rehabilitation medical centers located in Seoul, Kyung-gi, and Chung-nam participated in this study. All participants scored higher than 24 point on the MMSE. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Disabled's Motivation for Rehabilitation Scale, and a Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were completed by the participants. The data were analyzed through a frequency analysis, Pearson Product-moment Correlation Coefficient, and Stepwise Multiple Regression analysis using SPSS 12.0. Results : Statistically significant correlations were found between the pain catastrophizing level and ADL, and the task-oriented motivation, obligatory motivation, and amotivation. Additionally, ADL and obligatory motivation showed a statistically significant correlation. The pain catastrophizing level was the factor affecting the stroke patients' ADL, and it explained 11% of the ADL changes. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that persons with low pain catastrophizing level show a higher motivation for rehabilitation and higher ADL performance. Therefore, occupational therapists need to focus on an improvement in coping skills for the management of pain and the motivation for rehabilitation in stroke patients.