Phantom limb pain and pain interference in adults with lower extremity amputation: The moderating effects of age

Purpose/Objective: To determine whether the relationship between phantom limb pain severity and pain-related interference was moderated by age and to compare 2 theoretical perspectives used in the literature to account for age-related differences in the experience of chronic pain. Research Method/Design: Analysis of survey data provided by 375 adults with lower extremity amputations who reported phantom limb pain. Results: The relationship between phantom limb pain severity and pain-related interference was shown to be moderated by age (beta = -.10, p < .05), such that pain predicted interference only in younger adults (P = .44, p < .01). Analysis of age group differences in interference by pain level revealed a large effect when pain was moderate/severe (Cohen's d = 1.23) but not when pain was mild/moderate (Cohen's d = 0.04). Finally, time since amputation emerged as a significant predictor of pain interference above and beyond chronological age. Conclusions/Implications: These data suggest that the pain/interference relationship is weaker in older persons, particularly at higher levels of pain. This phenomenon may be driven primarily by temporal experience with pain.