scholarly journals Pain-Related Limitations in Daily Activities Following Thoracic Surgery in a United States Population

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (20;3) ◽  
pp. E367-E378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine O. Bayman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Thoracic Surgery ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
The Impact

Background: Ringsted et al created a statistically validated questionnaire to assess painrelated limitations in daily activities following thoracic surgery and translated it to English. We utilized the questionnaire to assess the impact of pain impairing certain daily activities in a United States thoracic surgery population. Objectives: Examine if the questionnaire developed and translated to English by Ringsted et al to assess the effects of chronic pain after thoracic surgery on daily activities would be applicable in a sample of thoracic surgery patients in the United States. Study Design: Cross-sectional study by mailed questionnaire. Setting: All patients who had thoracic surgery between 6 months and 3 years ago at a university hospital. Methods: We sent questionnaires to patients who had undergone thoracic surgery between 6 months and 3 years ago, yielding a sample of 349 eligible patients. Questionnaire results were statistically assessed for item fit, dimensionality, and internal reliability. Results: The response rate was 26.4%. Of the responders, 36% (95% CI: 26.1% to 46.5%) identified themselves as having chronic pain related to their thoracic surgery. Activities such as lying on the operated side, coughing, and carrying groceries were impaired in more than 50% of the patients who had thoracic surgery related pain (P < 0.05). Patients with chronic pain were more likely to report pain in other body locations. Few activities were limited in the patients identifying themselves as not having chronic pain. Statistical measures indicate high internal reliability. Limitations: This was a retrospective questionnaire with 26.4% response rate. Conclusions: Pain continues to impair the daily activities of a significant proportion of patients after thoracic surgery in a sample from the United States. Despite cultural differences, the Danish procedure-specific questionnaire provides an applicable and similar assessment of functional impairment after thoracic surgery in American patients. Key words: Thoracic surgery, chronic pain, impairment, daily life, questionnaire

scholarly journals Using Computer Tablets to Improve Moods for Older Adults With Dementia and Interactions With Their Caregivers: Pilot Intervention Study

10.2196/14530 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e14530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Gilson ◽  
Debby Dodds ◽  
Arveen Kaur ◽  
Michael Potteiger ◽  
James H Ford II
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Skilled Nursing ◽  
Mood Changes ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
The Impact

Background Persons living with dementia represent a significant and growing segment of the older adult (aged 65 years and older) population. They are often challenged expressively and may experience difficulties with sharing their feelings or moods. Availability of, and easy access to, tablets facilitates the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a delivery mechanism for nonpharmacological interventions, especially for persons living with dementia. Evidence of the impact of ICTs in different community settings on mood with older adults and the impact of engagement on their caregivers is needed to promote broader adoption and sustainment of these technologies in the United States. Objective This study aimed to determine the extent of the effects of tablets on positive mood change and examine the effects of study variables on care recipients’ mood changes and caregivers’ daily interactions. Methods The tablet intervention was developed and evaluated in five programs. The primary outcome was caregivers’ assessment of care recipients’ mood (n=1089) before and after a tablet engagement session using an eight-point mood visual analog scale. Session influence on caregivers’ daily activities was captured for a subsample of participants (n=542). Frequency distributions were computed for each study variables. Chi-square tests of association were calculated to determine the association of the variables on mood changes for all care recipients, as well as those being treated in skilled nursing facilities and in-home, and then for those that affected caregivers’ daily activities. Results The study sample comprised 1089 care recipient and caregiver engagement sessions. Cumulatively, 50.78% (553/1089) of care recipients showed a transition from negative to positive moods, whereas another 41.78% (455/1089) maintained an already-positive mood after the caregiver engagement session. Chi-square analyses demonstrated that positive mood changes resulted from using music (χ210=72.9; P<.001), using YouTube as the sole app (χ212=64.5; P<.001), using multiple engagement strategies (χ22=42.8; P<.001), and when cared for in a skilled nursing facility (χ24=236.8; P<.001) across the entire care recipient sample. In addition, although many features of the engagement session positively influenced the caregivers’ day, the largest effect was observed when care recipients’ mood was considered to have improved following the session (χ24=234.7; P<.001). Conclusions The study is one of the first in the United States to explore the impact of ICTs, in particular managed tablets and Web-based video services that can be used on a tablet through an app, on improving mood in persons living with dementia, and enhancing caregivers’ perceptions about their care recipient interactions. Importantly, these pilot data substantiate ICTs as part of a personalized engagement approach, as beneficial alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions for mood enhancement. However, a more comprehensive study that explores the ICT’s impact on additional clinical outcomes is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Awe in Architecture as a Pain Disruptor- A Call for New Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miram Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
The Impact

Chronic pain is a widespread and complex phenomenon, driven by a diverse range of factors. Pain management has become a significant concern over the past several decades in the United States as controversy has grown surrounding the use of opioids for chronic pain management, the use of which has led to abuse and addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 128 people die in the United States every day from an opioid overdose, whether obtained illicitly or by prescription. While opioids remain one of the frontline methods for pain management, their long term safety and efficacy has come under scrutiny. As with any complex systemic issue, there are many contributing factors to chronic pain and pain management. This paper proposes that the experience of awe – specifically elicited by design of the built environment – can serve as an innovative, non-pharmacological pain management tool. Awe is an emotional response to perceptually vast stimuli, precipitating accommodation or a shift in existing mental structures. The author hypothesizes that awe can be used as a form of the proven self-regulating pain management method known as reappraisal. Pain reappraisal is cognitive reframing of the context and meaning of pain, changing the value that pain is assigned and resulting in decreased pain perception. This paper explores the pertinent intersection of emotions, neuroscience, and the impact of the physical environment on our health and wellbeing. The intention of this paper is to call for a new line of research and does not attempt to address methods or results at this time.

scholarly journals Using Computer Tablets to Improve Moods for Older Adults With Dementia and Interactions With Their Caregivers: Pilot Intervention Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Gilson ◽  
Debby Dodds ◽  
Arveen Kaur ◽  
Michael Potteiger ◽  
James H Ford II
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Skilled Nursing ◽  
Mood Changes ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Persons living with dementia represent a significant and growing segment of the older adult (aged 65 years and older) population. They are often challenged expressively and may experience difficulties with sharing their feelings or moods. Availability of, and easy access to, tablets facilitates the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a delivery mechanism for nonpharmacological interventions, especially for persons living with dementia. Evidence of the impact of ICTs in different community settings on mood with older adults and the impact of engagement on their caregivers is needed to promote broader adoption and sustainment of these technologies in the United States. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the extent of the effects of tablets on positive mood change and examine the effects of study variables on care recipients’ mood changes and caregivers’ daily interactions. METHODS The tablet intervention was developed and evaluated in five programs. The primary outcome was caregivers’ assessment of care recipients’ mood (n=1089) before and after a tablet engagement session using an eight-point mood visual analog scale. Session influence on caregivers’ daily activities was captured for a subsample of participants (n=542). Frequency distributions were computed for each study variables. Chi-square tests of association were calculated to determine the association of the variables on mood changes for all care recipients, as well as those being treated in skilled nursing facilities and in-home, and then for those that affected caregivers’ daily activities. RESULTS The study sample comprised 1089 care recipient and caregiver engagement sessions. Cumulatively, 50.78% (553/1089) of care recipients showed a transition from negative to positive moods, whereas another 41.78% (455/1089) maintained an already-positive mood after the caregiver engagement session. Chi-square analyses demonstrated that positive mood changes resulted from using music (χ210=72.9; P<.001), using YouTube as the sole app (χ212=64.5; P<.001), using multiple engagement strategies (χ22=42.8; P<.001), and when cared for in a skilled nursing facility (χ24=236.8; P<.001) across the entire care recipient sample. In addition, although many features of the engagement session positively influenced the caregivers’ day, the largest effect was observed when care recipients’ mood was considered to have improved following the session (χ24=234.7; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The study is one of the first in the United States to explore the impact of ICTs, in particular managed tablets and Web-based video services that can be used on a tablet through an app, on improving mood in persons living with dementia, and enhancing caregivers’ perceptions about their care recipient interactions. Importantly, these pilot data substantiate ICTs as part of a personalized engagement approach, as beneficial alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions for mood enhancement. However, a more comprehensive study that explores the ICT’s impact on additional clinical outcomes is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Awe in Architecture as a Pain Disruptor- A Call for New Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
The Impact

Chronic pain is a widespread and complex phenomenon, driven by a diverse range of factors. Pain management has become a significant concern over the past several decades in the United States as controversy has grown surrounding the use of opioids for chronic pain management, the use of which has led to abuse and addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 128 people die in the United States every day from an opioid overdose, whether obtained illicitly or by prescription. While opioids remain one of the frontline methods for pain management, their long term safety and efficacy has come under scrutiny. As with any complex systemic issue, there are many contributing factors to chronic pain and pain management. This paper proposes that the experience of awe – specifically elicited by design of the built environment – can serve as an innovative, non-pharmacological pain management tool. Awe is an emotional response to perceptually vast stimuli, precipitating accommodation or a shift in existing mental structures. The author hypothesizes that awe can be used as a form of the proven self-regulating pain management method known as reappraisal. Pain reappraisal is cognitive reframing of the context and meaning of pain, changing the value that pain is assigned and resulting in decreased pain perception. This paper explores the pertinent intersection of emotions, neuroscience, and the impact of the physical environment on our health and wellbeing. The intention of this paper is to call for a new line of research and does not attempt to address methods or results at this time.

scholarly journals The DiSCover Project: Protocol and Baseline Characteristics of a Decentralized Digital Study Assessing Chronic Pain Outcomes and Behavioral Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Lee ◽  
Christian J Cerrada ◽  
Mai Ka Ying Vang ◽  
Kelly Scherer ◽  
Caroline Tai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
United States ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Behavioral Characteristics ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Background: Chronic pain affects approximately 50 million adults in the United States and impacts mood, everyday functioning, and quality of life. The challenges of analgesic clinical trials and, therefore, the approval of new non-opioid analgesics, are based in part on a fundamental lack of understanding of those outcomes that are relevant to an individual's overall functioning. Objectives: To determine the behaviors and health outcomes associated with chronic pain. This manuscript presents an overview of the study design, baseline health and behavioral characteristics of our sample, and preliminary findings of how behavioral characteristics differ between individuals with and without chronic pain. Methods: The study is a decentralized digital longitudinal cohort study of 10,036 individuals (5,832 with chronic pain [CP] and 4,204 with no chronic pain [NCP), age 18 years or older, living in the United States. The study period was one year. Data were collected from wearable activity trackers and health or fitness mobile applications to capture passively collected behavioral data including steps, sleep, and heart rate. Patient-reported outcomes on mood and pain, including the BPI-SF, PHQ-9, and GAD-7, were collected at various timepoints during the study. Results: The data suggest greater levels of depression and anxiety, lower quality of life, less physical activity, more variable sleep, and higher resting heart rate are associated with CP. Conclusions: The longitudinal data from the larger study will yield substantial contributions to the body of literature in chronic pain, particularly in delineating relational and causal factors relevant to the impact of chronic pain, and potential development of a digital biomarker to assess and monitor patients' everyday experience with chronic pain.

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