Articles: pain-management.
-
The short- and long-term efficacy of a multidisciplinary pain management program was evaluated in a group of 35 chronic pain patients. At posttreatment, patients reported lower pain levels, more up-time, less medication consumption, an increase in positive cognitions about pain, and more (psychologically oriented) active coping. ⋯ A theoretical model regarding the impact of the treatment program was discussed. Plans for future efforts to enhance transfer and maintenance of therapeutic benefits were presented.
-
A systematic approach to identifying the cause of pain and rational use of drug therapy are keys to providing pain relief to cancer patients. Aspirin, acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective for mild to moderate pain, and they enhance the effectiveness of weak oral narcotics, such as codeine. ⋯ A variety of adjuvant drugs can be used to enhance the effect of narcotics and to treat specific side effects of the disease or of therapy. For the terminally ill patient, a peaceful death with dignity should always be possible.
-
Forty-eight chronic pain patients who were discharged from or left the 21-day inpatient component of a multidisciplinary pain program prior to completion were compared with a randomly selected matched group of program patients who stayed the entire 21 days. The purpose of the study was to determine if pre-admission factors are useful in predicting whether a chronic pain patient will complete an inpatient pain program. ⋯ The non-completers also had a higher number of pain-related surgeries and were more likely to be college graduates; limited social support from their families and lower MMPI premature termination scale scores were also found. Implications of these findings for the management of chronic pain patients are discussed.
-
The efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in producing analgesia in cold-induced pain was assessed using a range of 5 stimulating frequencies (10 Hz, 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 80 Hz and 160 Hz) in 83 normal healthy subjects. TENS significantly elevated ice pain threshold when compared with sham and control groups. ⋯ Measurement of ice pain tolerance was found to be unreliable under the present conditions. No significant relationships were observed between personality variables as measured by Eysenck Personality Questionnaires and the degree of TENS response.
-
In pain clinics, thorough documentation of patient-related data is essential for analysis of patient history, long-term evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and research on the etiology and epidemiology of chronic pain syndromes. With these requirements in mind, we realized a microcomputer documentation system based on a commercial data-base software concept (dBASE). Each patient's data are stored in three different sections: data for identification, basic data (mainly diagnostic findings), and treatment related follow-up data. ⋯ The microcomputer documentation system offers listings for administration as well as effective patient scheduling thanks to a recall system by date of last contact, selected therapeutic procedures and any other item in the medical record. A mail-merge service can be applied, which is particularly useful for follow-up-studies. The documentation system means routine work can be standardized and performed in an economical manner, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the quality of pain therapy.