Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Review
The Validity of Vital Signs for Pain Assessment in critically Ill Adults: A Narrative Review.
Pain assessment in the intensive care unit (ICU) is challenging because many patients are unable to self-report or exhibit pain-related behaviors. In such situations, vital signs (VS) through continuous monitoring are alternative cues for pain assessment. This review aimed to describe the reliability and validity of VS for ICU pain assessment. ⋯ VS are not valid indicators for ICU pain assessment. Increases of respiratory rate may be a cue for the detection of pain. However, fluctuations in respiratory rate can be influenced by opioids or controlled ventilation mode. Our results dissuade the use of VS for pain assessment because of the lack of association with ICU pain reference standards. Other physiologic measures of pain in critically ill adults should be explored.
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Observational Study
Brain Activation of Unpleasant Emotions Increases Catastrophizing in Patients with Chronic Pain.
Catastrophic thinking among patients with chronic pain impairs their quality of life and increases anxiety levels. Further, severe pain causes high emotional brain sensitivity and unpleasant feelings. However, the effects of emotional changes on catastrophic thinking in patients with chronic pain remain unclear. ⋯ Brain activity of unpleasant emotions may influence catastrophic thinking in patients with chronic pain.
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During the hospital stay pain is very common among patients living with dementia. ⋯ The majority of hospitalized medical patients living with dementia were treated for pain, but an ongoing focus is needed to assure optimal pain management for all patients.
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Unmanaged pain significantly affects cancer survivors' quality of life. Nurses should play a significant role in pain management through non-pharmacological interventions. This review aims to explore the efficacy and safety of breathing exercises for pain management in all cancer survivors. ⋯ Breathing exercises may be a promising approach to pain relief in cancer survivors. However, more rigorously designed studies are required to establish the evidence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Essential Oils for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a painful, debilitating consequence of cancer treatment affecting up to 60% of patients. Pharmacological approaches to CIPN are often ineffective and cause adverse effects. Essential oils are an underutilized non-pharmacological approach to pain reduction. ⋯ This pilot study demonstrated that participants adhered to the intervention for six weeks. Essential oils have potential direct and adjuvant pain-reducing effects and should be studied further.