Influence of Trauma on Pain Area and Widespreadness in Chronic Pain Patients

It is well known that patients suffering from chronic pain report higher levels of pain, anxiety, and depression if they have experienced a traumatic event. However, little is know about pain area and widespreadness. In this retrospective study, we want to investigate whether pain area and widespreadness differs in chronic pain patients with and without traumatic events. To test this hypothesis we will retrospectively analyse pain drawings collected at the pain outpatient department from Hannover Medical School. Participants will be divided into four groups depending on the severity of their traumatic events: no trauma; accidental trauma; interpersonal trauma; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).