Coping strategies in patients with neuropathic pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic neuropathic pain has a multifactorial origin and several coping strategies. The objective of this study was to identify, analyze the different coping strategies for chronic neuropathic pain, relate them with sociodemographic characteristics, pain intensity, and alexithymia. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study involving 61 patients with neuropathic pain who attended the Pain Clinic from August to December 2017. The instruments used to collect the data of patients with neuropathic pain were a semi-structured interview, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions questionnaire, the Alexithymia Scale, and the Problems Coping Mode Scale. RESULTS: Of the 61 patients with neuropathic pain, the majority were female, with a mean age of 50.67±13.12 years, low schooling, with a spouse, with diseases as the leading cause of pain, positive attitudes to cope with neuropathic pain despite the physical problems such as major changes after pain. CONCLUSION:The results of the present study allowed us to conclude that the coping strategies of patients with neuropathic pain, according to the application of the Alexithymia Scale and the Problems Coping Mode Scale, that the highest scores were in religious practices, social support and focus on the problem. The alexithymia of this group was higher, especially in the subgroup of men with chronic neuropathic pain.

Spirituality in Coping with Pain in Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Patients who experience this pain with descriptions of characteristics such as painful cold, electric shock and itching, had higher levels of EWB and total SWBS, i.e., spirituality is used as a way of coping with pain. This finding converges with that found in the study by Laluce et al [ 33 ], in which patients with chronic neuropathic pain use spiritual and religious practices as coping strategies, in addition to social support and focusing on the problem.…”

Construção de diagnósticos de enfermagem para pessoas com lesão medular em reabilitação

“…A dor nociceptiva geralmente está localizada no mesmo nível ou acima do nível neurológico da LM, sendo originada dos nociceptores somáticos ou viscerais. A dor neuropática é causada por uma lesão primária ou disfunção no sistema nervoso central, sendo geralmente caracterizada por alodínia, hiperestesias, hiperalgia, hiperpatia, parestesias e disestesias (24) . A dor afeta a capacidade de realizar as atividades cognitivas, sociais, recreativas e laborativas, além de interferir na realização das atividades de vida diária, acarretando impacto negativo sobre a qualidade de vida desses sujeitos.…”