Table 1 Descriptions of the defined trajectory subgroups
From: How can latent trajectories of back pain be translated into defined subgroups?
Principal dimensions of trajectory subgroups | Terminology for labelling | Suggested definition |
|---|---|---|
INTENSITY | ||
| Mean scores 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale | |
Severe pain | 6–10 | |
Moderate pain | 4–5 | |
Mild pain | 2–3 | |
Minor pain/Recovery a | 0–1 | |
VARIATION | ||
| Ongoing pain | An individual’s pain intensity stays within mean +/− 1-point (0–10 NRS) Pain reported >4 days per week |
| Fluctuating pain | Variation in pain intensity exceeds 2 points*, without periods of no pain (0) lasting ≥1 month [21] |
| Episodic pain | Experiencing more than one period of pain over 1 year separated by periods with no pain (0) lasting ≥1 month |
Single episode | Experiencing one episode lasting ≤ 2 weeks within 1 year | |
Change pattern (likely to be most relevant for clinical populations) | ||
| Rapidly improving pain | Marked decrease in pain intensity within 1 month |
| Gradually improving pain | Marked decrease in pain intensity occurring gradually over more than 1 month |
| Progressing pain | An overall pattern of increasing pain intensity |
