Cross-sectional analysis of generational differences in pain attitudes and beliefs of patients receiving physical therapy care in outpatient clinics

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is a common reason to seek outpatient physical therapy care. Generational differences regarding attitudes and beliefs have been found in many areas, but it has not been explored regarding pain.Objectives: This study aimed to examine generational differences in attitudes and beliefs regarding pain and the potential differences between beneficial and non-beneficial treatment options in patients receiving care in outpatient physical therapy clinics.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.Method: A survey was developed to explore attitudes, beliefs, and treatment preferences. The survey was emailed out to past and current physical therapy patients as part of the customer satisfaction survey over a four-month period.Results/findings: 2260 surveys were completed during the collection period. Generational differences were found between the different generational groups. Younger generations were more in line with current pain neurosci-ence, understanding that pain is normal and part of the survival mechanism and less likely to believe that pain meant something wrong with one's tissues. Younger generations also reported more agreeance to the ability to cope without medication. However, significant variations existed in treatment choices that were most beneficial and least beneficial between respondents.Conclusion: Generational differences do exist in some areas of pain attitudes and beliefs. Less variation was noted in treatment options between generations, but there were significant variations within all patient respondents.