The understanding and management of acute pain in adults: the nursing contribution

Potential Nociceptive Regulatory Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) on Mechanical Sensitivity in Diet-Induced Obesity Model

Treatments for obesity have been shown to reduce pain secondary to weight loss. Intestinal microbiota, as an endogenous factor, influences obesity and pain sensitivity but the effect of oral probiotic supplementation on musculoskeletal pain perception has not been studied systematically. The present study examined the effect of a single daily oral dose (1 × 10(9) CFU) of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01, DSM14870) supplement on mechanical pain thresholds in behaving diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and their normal weight (NW) controls. The mice (N = 24, 6-week-old male) were randomly divided into four groups on either standard or high fat diet with and without probiotic supplementation. Both DIO and NW groups with probiotic supplementation maintained an insignificant weight gain while the control groups gained significant weight (P < 0.05). Similarly, both DIO and NW probiotics supplemented groups demonstrated a significantly (P < 0.05) lower sensitivity to mechanical stimulation compared to their corresponding control. The results of this study suggest a protective effect of probiotics on nociception circuits, which propose a direct result of the weight reduction or an indirect result of anti-inflammatory properties of the probiotics. Deciphering the exact underlying mechanism of the weight loss and lowering nociception effect of the probiotic applied in this study require further investigation.

Normalizing: postoperative acute abdominal surgical pain in Thai children

The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the postoperative pain experience of Thai children aged 5 to 7 years who had undergone abdominal surgery. A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the core process. A total of 15 children who had undergone abdominal surgery comprised the study. Data were collected by interviews, observations, and drawing and play interviews. The major task/hypothesis generated in this study was that children were addressing the process of normalizing and that creating an environment that allowed a child to normalize might be expected to greatly contribute to pain reduction.

Use of therapeutic touch in treatment of drug addictions

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the efficacy of Therapeutic Touch (TT) as a form of treatment intervention with persons who abuse alcohol and/or other drugs. A between-subjects design compared treatment outcomes of three groups of alcohol and other drug abusers over five months. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Beck Depression Inventory (BI), and Personal Experiences: Therapeutic Touch and Frequency of Alcohol/Drug Use questionnaires were administered to the group receiving TT (Group A) and both control groups (Mimic TT Group B and No Intervention Group C) at various points in the study. Preliminary findings indicate that the use of TT could be effective in prolonging periods of abstinence for alcohol and other drug abusers.

Coronary artery bypass patients' perceptions of acute postoperative pain

Reports consistently state that hospitalized patients' pain is undermanaged and is caused by healthcare professional's failure to assess pain adequately and provide relief. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' expectations and perceptions of their acute postoperative pain to improve understanding and management. The sample consisted of 20 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Pain intensity was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively utilizing a 10-point numerical rating scale. Descriptive questions assessed beliefs, expectations, and perceptions about the pain experience. Results suggest that, although most patients experienced moderate-to-severe pain intensity, they also experienced periods of no pain, used little pain medication, and reported satisfaction with pain relief. Patients reported undesired side effects from pain medication, beliefs that pain served a purpose in recovery, fears of addiction, and expectations that pain would or should be present. The recommendation simply to provide more pain medication may not be appropriate or desirable for all patients.

Coronary care unit patients' and nurses' ratings of intensity of ischaemic chest pain

In 100 patients admitted to a coronary care unit with a history of chest pain thought to be due to myocardial infarction, the intensity of pain was independently rated by the patient and the primary nurse caring for the patient soon after admission. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale designed to yield a score of 0-100. 10 experienced coronary care nurses who had participated in a short programme of pain assessment and management were included in the study. A strong positive correlation between the patients' and nurses' ratings was found. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.

Therapeutic touch and postoperative pain: a Rogerian research study

This article details Meehan's research study concerning the conceptualization of therapeutic touch within Rogers' science of unitary human beings and an investigation of the effects of therapeutic touch on pain experience in postoperative patients. Using a single trial, single-blind, three-group design, 108 postoperative patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the following: therapeutic touch, a placebo control intervention which mimicked therapeutic touch, or the standard intervention of a narcotic analgesic. Using a visual analogue scale, pain was measured before and one hour following intervention. The hypothesis, that therapeutic touch would significantly decrease postoperative pain compared to the placebo control intervention, was not supported. Secondary analyses suggest that therapeutic touch may decrease patients' need for analgesic medication. Implications for further research and practice are suggested.