Two cases of chronic pain with different clinical courses supported by MMPI intervention

Abstract

We report two cases of intolerable chronic pain well diagnosed by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Case 1: A 70-year-old man, who suffered from back pain by spinal stenosis and postoperative intercostals neuralgia, was diagnosed by MMPI as oversensitive, distress, and worsening of his own symptoms by stress response. Maternal talks and listening caused him acceptance of pain and enlargement of the range of behavior without physical therapy. Case 2: A 60-year-old man suffered from postoperative right knee pain. His MMPI indicated normal emotional and psychological statuses, and enterprising physical therapy was performed. Eventually, spinal cord stimulation therapy improved his pain. We concluded that MMPI could facilitate decision of a course of treatment in chronic-pain patients suffering from emotional diagnosis.