The Frequency and Perceived Effectiveness of Pain Self-Management Strategies Used by Individuals With Migraine

Self-management Experience of Nurses Living with Migraine: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Migraine is a neurobiological condition characterized by a constellation of unpredictable symptoms and is the second cause of disability worldwide. Migraine is prevalent among nurses. However, literature exploring nurses' experience of living with migraine is scarce which has important individual and systems implications for health and wellness and patient safety. Self-management is essential in chronic disease management as the patient engages in various strategies to be able to live with their condition.

PURPOSE

This study explored the experiences of living and working with migraine among female nurses in Ontario, with particular attention to their priorities and strategies for self-management.

METHODS

Interpretive description methodology was employed to guide this study and informed a thematic analysis approach to examine the self-management experiences of nurses living with migraine.

RESULTS

Nurses engaged in various self-management strategies including pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies and highlighted the role of technology in migraine self-management. Participants described experiences of living with migraine as an invisible condition including feelings of not being understood, stigmatization, and the absence of formal support at the workplace.

CONCLUSION

The implications of these findings support the incorporation of a critical approach to relational engagement that is person-centred including nonjudgemental, strength-based care as a practice approach when caring for persons living with migraines and the need to include experiential learning in educational curriculums as a strategy to reduce stigma against migraines.

Health and illness beliefs regarding pain and pain management of New Zealand resident Sāmoan community leaders: A qualitative interpretive study based on Pasifika paradigms

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Ethnic disparities in chronic pain exist in Aotearoa New Zealand, including a greater impact of pain, less access to chronic pain services and less benefit from treatment for Pasifika people. This study investigated Sāmoan health perceptions and beliefs in relation to pain and how it is managed.

METHODS

An interpretive descriptive study was undertaken involving interviews with nine Sāmoan key informants from Aotearoa New Zealand. Interviews explored their beliefs in relation to interpretations of pain and experiences of and preferences for pain management. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four main themes were constructed from the data. Pain is interpreted holistically described the attribution of pain to many causes, without limitation to physiological explanations. Stoicism is a character virtue described the predominant belief that pain should be endured without display or complaint. Strength in connectivity described the inherent pain coping strategies that are present within Sāmoan communities. To improve healthcare is to nurture vā described the disconnect Sāmoan people feel from healthcare services and the need to foster relationships to improve health delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Sāmoan people have beliefs and perceptions about pain and its management that extend beyond traditional Western interpretations. While pain is often endured using traditional strengths within the 'āīga (family) and community, the Sāmoan community faces challenges in receiving healthcare from mainstream pain services. SO WHAT?: Clinicians need to foster stronger relationships with Sāmoan individuals and their 'āīga and appreciate the wider psychosocial context of pain, including spirituality.

Use of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Strategies by Community-Dwelling Adults to Manage Migraine: A Systematic Review

Migraine is a prevalent disease associated with high levels of disability and is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. This systematic literature review aimed to identify the types of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies that community-dwelling adults report using to manage migraine. A systematic literature review of relevant databases, grey literature, websites, and journals was conducted from 1 January 1989 to 21 December 2021. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers. Data were extracted on migraine management strategies and categorized as opioid and non-opioid medications and medical, physical, psychological, or self-initiated strategies. A total of 20 studies were included. The sample sizes ranged from 138 to 46,941, with a mean age of 34.7 to 79.9 years. The data were typically collected using self-administered questionnaires (nine studies), interviews (five studies), online surveys (three studies), paper-based surveys (two studies), and a retrospective database (one study). Community-dwelling adults with migraine reported they primarily used medications, specifically triptans (range 9-73%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (range 13-85%) to manage migraine. Except for medical strategies, the use of other non-pharmacological strategies was low. Common non-pharmacological strategies included consulting physicians (range 14-79%) and heat or cold therapy (35%).