Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Cold Therapy on Managing Postoperative Pain Following Breast Conserving Surgery.
Cold therapy is an important non-pharmacologic method used for pain relief. ⋯ Cold therapy is an easy and effective non-pharmacologic method for pain relief after BCS in patients with breast cancer. Cold therapy reduces the acute pain of the breast and contributes to the quality of recovery of those patients.
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Observational Study
Chronic Pain and Depression are Increased in Outpatient Adults with Somatic Symptoms from Secondary Health Care Services.
Somatic symptom disorder is described as excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to physical symptoms. The presence of somatic symptoms has been associated with depression, alexithymia, and the presence of chronic pain. Individuals with somatic symptom disorder are frequent attenders of primary health care services. ⋯ In this study, we observed a high frequency of somatic symptoms in outpatients attending secondary health care services. They may be accompanied by comorbid cardiovascular conditions, higher pain intensity, and other mental health-related symptoms, which may aggravate the general clinical picture presented by the patient seeking health care. The presence and severity of somatization should be taken into consideration in the first and second level health care services for an early mental state evaluation and treatment of these outpatients to have a better clinical assessment and health outcome.
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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.