Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Outcomes of follow-up visits to chronic nonmalignant pain patients.
Follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists are beneficial for patients with various chronic conditions. It is unknown whether patients with chronic nonmalignant pain can achieve similar benefit. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists to chronic nonmalignant pain patients regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL), pain, opioid treatment, quality of sleep, and depression. ⋯ Follow-up visits by clinical nurse specialists appeared to offer positive benefits to patients with chronic nonmalignant pain after discharge from multidisciplinary pain treatment. The intervention improved physical functioning, reduced bodily pain and pain intensity and prevented opioid dosage increase. Most episodes of depression were identified and referred to relevant treatment.
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Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) in spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant problem that has physical, functional, and psychosocial repercussions beyond the consequences of SCI. The notion that acceptance may be a viable alternative to suffering when resolution of pain is unattainable was explored. Studies indicate that acceptance of pain is associated with lower pain intensity, less pain-related anxiety and avoidance, less depression, less physical and psychosocial disability, more daily active time, and improved work status in patients who have other types of chronic pain. ⋯ The findings in this study suggest that acceptance of pain appeared to be beneficial in terms of reducing suffering and facilitating a more satisfying and fulfilling life in these SCI individuals. A decreased emphasis on continued searching for a cure for CNP and movement toward a self-management approach was associated with increased pain coping for these SCI individuals. Clinical implications suggest that early intervention to facilitate effective coping and an exploration of the notion of acceptance could be beneficial.
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This action research project explored the feasibility and effect of implementing a hospital-wide coordinated approach to improve the management of pain. The project used a previously developed model to introduce three evidence-based changes in pain management. Part of this model included the introduction of 30 pain resource nurses (PRNs) to act as clinical champions for pain at a local level. ⋯ An assessment of the knowledge and attitudes of the PRNs showed an improvement from time 1 to time 2 that was statistically significant. The qualitative data revealed that despite the barriers encountered, the role was satisfying for the PRNs and valued by other hospital staff. Overall, the results revealed that the new model of change incorporating PRNs was a useful and effective method for introducing and sustaining evidence-based organizational change.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Effect of aromatherapy massage on dysmenorrhea in Turkish students.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on dysmenorrhea. The study used a quasiexperimental design with the subjects as their own control. Every participant applied both aromatherapy massage with lavender oil and placebo massage with odorless liquid petrolatum [soft paraffin]. ⋯ When the lavender massage and the placebo massage were compared, the visual analog scale score of the lavender massage was found to decrease at a statistically significant rate. This study showed that massage was effective in reducing dysmenorrhea. In addition, this study showed that the effect of aromatherapy massage on pain was higher than that of placebo massage.
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Although the provision of timely and appropriate analgesia is a primary goal of Emergency Department (ED) staff, pain continues to be undertreated and some evidence supports the existence of pain treatment disparities. Despite strong incentives from accreditation organizations, pain management in the ED may still be inconsistent and problematic. The purpose of this research study was to conduct a retrospective chart review to investigate pain assessment and treatment for 200 adults (≥18 years old) admitted to the ED suffering from long-bone fractures. ⋯ Only 24% of those receiving a pain medication were reassessed to determine pain relief. Compounding these problems were wait times for analgesia of >1 hour. Although the influence on pain management related to ethnicity was not a factor in this study, other findings revealed that undertreatment of pain, inadequate assessment, lack of documentation of pain, and lengthy wait times persist in the ED.