Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Primary dysmenorrhea is a womanhood problem around the world and negatively affects quality of life. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and to determine the factors associated with its intensity. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 311 undergraduate female students aged 18 to 27 years in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. ⋯ Residing at home, younger age, lower number of years of formal education for the mother, positive family history of dysmenorrhea, higher severity of bleeding, and shorter menstrual period intervals were significantly associated with the higher intensity of primary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a common health concern among young women. Being aware of the factors that are associated with its intensity makes it possible for health professionals to organize better focused programs to reduce the adverse effects of dysmenorrhea.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of Entonox, Play Therapy and a Combination on Pain Relief in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pediatric pain is often undertreated/neglected due to time constraints, difficulties in timing of oral analgesics, fear of side effects of opioids and anxiolytics, and apprehension of additional pain in the use of local anesthetic injections. In this study, the researcher was prompted to choose rapidly acting interventions that were low dose and allowed the child to stay alert, suitable for a quick discharge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Entonox, play therapy, and a combination to relieve procedural pain in children aged 4-15 years. ⋯ The findings of this study indicated that all three interventions were effective in lowering pain scores when compared to the control group. Play therapy is as potent as Entonox in relieving procedural pain, though there was no additive effect on pain relief when play therapy and Entonox were combined. A protocol for age-related choice between play therapy and Entonox administration was introduced as a standing order in the Pediatric Surgery department for acute procedural pain relief.
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Observational Study
The Algoplus Score to Assess Acute Postoperative pain in Elderly patients-A Pilot Observational Study.
Standard verbal or analogue scales may not be accurate to assess acute postoperative pain in elderly patients. This study was designed to field test the Algoplus tool, developed specifically for this population and based on observation of patient behavior. Prospective, observational cohort. ⋯ When the NRS score exceeded 3/10, indicating the need for analgesic intervention, the Algoplus score was generally lower than the recommended trigger for analgesia (2/5). These results are promising, but further evidence of a clinical benefit to the use of Algoplus for acute postoperative pain is needed. In future studies, scoring should be adjusted to take into account the time from extubation, the state of sedation, and the patient's gender in order to interpret results.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Face-to-face Information and Emotional Support from Trained Nurses Reduce Pain During Screening Mammography: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pain and discomfort during breast examination can affect a woman's adherence to breast cancer-screening programs. The aim of this study was to determine whether a nursing intervention protocol that provides verbal information and support to women could reduce pain during mammography. A randomized controlled trial of 436 Spanish women aged 50-69 who attended a breast-screening program was performed. ⋯ Consequently, the probability of feeling pain during mammography was lower among women in the experimental group (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.24-0.81). The intervention was more effective among women with the highest anxiety levels (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11-0.98), who did not expect pain (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.08-0.97), and who did not fear the outcome of the mammography (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04-0.85). Providing verbal information, as well as supporting the women during the test, is a simple and achievable intervention for nurses and can help to reduce pain during screening mammography.
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Racial and gender disparities in health are well documented in health science literature. Racial minorities and women are known to receive disproportionately poorer quality of health care when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. It is unknown why women and particular racial and ethnic minorities are more susceptible to experience disparities in patient care. ⋯ A systematic literature review has been conducted to explore the current state of knowledge related to providers, health disparities, and pain. Much of the research to date has focused on the provider-patient relationship to health disparities in pain management. Further research is needed to examine how provider-patient interactions may influence patient outcomes, satisfaction, adherence and disparities in health.