AUTHOR=Choi Jungki , Yoon Jiyoo , Shin Myoungjin 

TITLE=Effects of Pain Reduction by Self-Natural Posture Exercise on Affective Complexity in Women: The Moderating Effect of Self-Regulation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01317

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01317

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to investigate the effects of pain reduction and self-regulation efficacy on affective complexity in female patients with chronic pain after participation in an exercise therapy program—Self-Natural Posture Exercise (SNPE)—within the theoretical framework of the Dynamic Model of Affect. A 12-week SNPE program (thrice a week, 70 min per session) was conducted with 101 women with chronic pain lasting longer than 6 months. Pre- versus post-SNPE difference in the correlation between positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) was examined through Fisher’s <italic>z</italic> test, and the moderation effect was confirmed through hierarchical regression analysis. Upon completion of the program, participants experienced pain [<italic>M</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 5.68 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 1.96) vs. <italic>M</italic><sub>post</sub> = 3.12 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>post</sub> = 2.16)] and stress reduction [<italic>M</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 2.92 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 0.95) vs. <italic>M</italic><sub>post</sub> = 2.62 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>post</sub> = 0.86)], higher satisfaction with life [<italic>M</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 4.25 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>pre</sub> = 1.20) vs. <italic>M</italic><sub>post</sub> = 4.80 (<italic>SD</italic><sub>post</sub> = 1.15)], and decreases in the negative correlation between PA and NA (<italic>r</italic><sub>pre</sub> = −0.541 vs. <italic>r</italic><sub>post</sub> = −0.379). Furthermore, participation in the SNPE program neutralized the impact of PA<sub>post</sub> on NA<sub>post</sub> (β = −0.03) in participants with high self-regulation and pain reduction. These results suggest that self-regulation helps to increase SNPE adherence, which would induce pain reduction and restore affective complexity. Based on the strength model of self-control, to increase the pain reduction through exercise therapy, the instructor should ensure that the participants are not being ego depleted.</p>