APS Press Room
News Highlights from The Journal of Pain • February 2006
The Peer Review Journal of the American Pain Society
| For immediate release | Contact: Chuck Weber (847) 705-1802 |
DOES PARTNER SUPPORT HELP RELIEVE PAIN?
Article Title: Partner Responses to Pain Behaviors Are Associated with Depression and Activity Interference among Persons with Chronic Pain and Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Michael W. Stroud, Judith A. Turner, Mark P. Jensen and Diana D. Cardenas, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
GLENVIEW, Ill., Feb. 2, 2006 – This study examined how partner responses to pain behaviors are associated with decreased pain behaviors, such as depression severity. Seventy adults with chronic pain from spinal cord injuries (SCI) were surveyed with standard pain inventory and depression questionnaires. Previous studies have shown that social support is associated positively with improved pain behaviors, possibly because individuals who are satisfied with their support are receiving more positive reinforcement from the social environment.
The authors determined that negative partner responses were significantly associated with depressive symptom severity in SCI patients. They concluded that although it is possible partner responses may contribute to depressive symptom severity; some depressed patients are more likely to perceive their responses as negative. From a clinical perspective, it was noted that decreasing negative partner responses to pain behaviors might be a potentially important clinical intervention.
DOES COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PAIN MANAGEMENT WORK FOR CANCER PATIENTS?
Article title: A Pain Management Program for Chronic Cancer-Treatment-Related Pain: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Karen A. Robb, John E. Williams, Valerie Duvivier and D.J. Newham Kings College, London, England
Chronic cancer-treatment-related pain is becoming increasing recognized as a complex clinical problem, as survivorship and improved quality of life have become more prevalent. Many studies have investigated pain problems in breast cancer patients treated with surgery or radiation therapy. The aim of this British study was to evaluate cognitive-behavioral pain management for cancer patients with chronic treatment-related pain. Thirteen patients were studied. Nine had a history of breast cancer and received extensive treatments, including surgery.
The patients were exposed several non-pharmacological interventions, such as education, relaxation, exercise training and goal setting. The authors found that all had positive outcomes, and their improvements in daily activities and overall fitness allowed many to participate in domestic and work-related activities. It was noted the favorable outcomes could not be attributed to medical improvement since all patients had experienced pain for several years. Further, as cognitive-behavior interventions were successful in improving self efficacy, some patients may have utilized other coping strategies independent from the trial. Based on these findings, the authors recommended that nonpharmacologic therapies be considered for cancer patients with treatment-related pain.
WHAT IS THE REAL VALUE OF PATIENT SELF REPORTS FOR ASSESSING PAIN?
Article title: Recalled Pain Ratings: A Complex and Poorly Defined Task
Authors: Joan E. Broderick, Arthur A, Stone, Pamela Calvanese, Joseph Schwartz and Dennis C. Turk Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York and Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington, Seattle
Patients self reports are the standard for assessing pain severity. The purpose of this study was to determine how patients arrive at self ratings and whether or not they accurately represent actual pain experiences. Researchers conducted 106 interviews with rheumatology patients and asked how they arrived at their pain severity ratings.
Response evaluations concluded patients were unable to coherently state how they determined their pain ratings. This casts doubt on the validity of retrospective recall. The authors recommended that improved measurements of recalled pain should be explored to address several concerns, such as avoiding use of single methods to measure pain, determining the length of time patients are best able to recall pain, and limiting recall periods accordingly.