Potential trauma and long term musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. A cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Arne Kandal, Tore Aune
• Format: Article
• Language: Danish
• Published: Norwegian Physiotherapist Association 2021-10-01
• Series: Fysioterapeuten
• Subjects: long term musculoskeletal pain; potential traumatic experiences; adolescence
• Online Access: https://www.fysioterapeuten.no/fagfellevurdert-muskel--og-skjelettplager-traumer/potensielle-traumer-og-langvarige-muskel--og-skjelettsmerter-hja-ungdom-ein-tverrsnittstudie/133086
• ISSN: 0016-3384; 0807-9277

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between potential traumatic experiences in childhood and long term muscle and joint pain as adolescents aged 13-18 years adjusted for known confounding factors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Material: All participants in the health survey in Nord-Trøndelag, UNG-HUNT 3. Method: Selection from questionnaire in UNG-HUNT 3; long term muscle and joint pain, potential childhood trauma, age, gender, family cohesion, social skills, loneliness, anxiety and depression symptoms, physical activity, smoking and sleep. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analysis was used to analyze associations. Results: The study included 6342 adolescents, the average age in the sample was 15.9 years. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between potential traumatic experiences and long term musculoskeletal pain (p <0.001). Of the confounding factors, anxiety and depression symptoms, sleep and family coherence had the greatest association with long term muscle and joint pain in the sample. Conclusion: Adolescents who have been exposed to potentially traumatic experiences are more likely to develop long term musculoskeletal pain compared with adolescents who do not have such experiences. The more potential traumas an adolescent has experienced the greater is the likelihood that the person has long term musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, the results show that both social, mental and physical variables have a statistically significant impact on the development of long term musculoskeletal pain in adolescents in a general population.