scholarly journals Trusting in the online ‘community’: An interview study exploring internet use in young people with chronic pain

2021 ◽  
pp. 204946372110619
Author(s):  
Anna Hurley-Wallace ◽  
Sarah Kirby ◽  
Felicity Bishop

Background Chronic pain in young people is prevalent in the UK. Young people are digital natives, yet there has not been any online intervention developed in a UK context to help them manage chronic pain. Key to understanding the context in which young people engage with online interventions is better understanding their internet use for chronic pain management. The overarching aim of this study was to explore young peoples’ experiences of searching for information about chronic pain using the internet. This included experiences of using search engines (e.g. Google), health information websites (e.g. the National Health Service [NHS] website) and social media (e.g. Facebook and Instagram). Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people aged 16–24-years ( n = 24), online, via Microsoft (MS) Teams. The study was advertised online and via patient partner charities. Interview data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Participants presented with a variety of chronic pain conditions, including joint hypermobility syndrome ( n = 6), chronic headache and/or migraine ( n = 4) and fibromyalgia ( n = 3). Four themes were generated: ‘Trustworthy information, or experiences?’, ‘Diagnostic labels in a digital world’, ‘The online chronic pain community’ and ‘A mind and body approach to self-management’. Young people trust advice from others in their online community and having a diagnostic label help them find relevant pain management strategies and support networks online. Conclusions This study is the first qualitative exploration of internet use in UK-based young people with chronic pain. Findings highlight the importance of considering internet use when developing new online interventions for young people with pain and that internet use, particularly social media use, is an important psychosocial consideration in pain management. Young people should be encouraged to verify practical pain management techniques found online with their doctor and be empowered in the safe use of appropriate psychology-based self-management resources.

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Caes ◽  
Abigail Jones ◽  
Abbie Jordan

EBN engages readers through a range of online social media activities to debate issues important to nurses and nursing. EBN Opinion papers highlight and expand on these debates.


2020 ◽  
pp. 204946372094034
Author(s):  
Anna Hurley-Wallace ◽  
Daniel E Schoth ◽  
Suzanne Lilley ◽  
Glyn Williams ◽  
Christina Liossi

Background: Adolescent chronic pain is prevalent, and interdisciplinary treatment is recommended. Although it is well known that technology is a key part of adolescents’ daily lives, there have not been any online, interdisciplinary interventions developed for adolescents with chronic pain in a UK healthcare context. Little is known about how adolescents currently use online resources to manage chronic pain, or what guidance they seek. Methods: Ninety-five participants from the community answered this mixed-methods, online survey (adolescent n = 54, parent n = 41), which assessed the needs of UK-based adolescents for a new online chronic pain management resource. Results: Findings indicated that, at the time of the survey, adolescents frequently used social media platforms, such as Instagram, for chronic pain management. Desired techniques for a new interdisciplinary resource for adolescents included ‘advice on explaining chronic pain to others’ (86.7% of adolescents) and sleep hygiene (82.2% of adolescents), though access to a range of pain management techniques was desired. Qualitative results indicated endorsement of a new programme by adolescents and parents. Conclusions: Adolescents and parents had a positive outlook towards the development of a UK-specific online resource to help manage chronic pain. Such an intervention should aim to be made accessible via the National Health Service. Adolescent use of social media platforms to seek support for chronic pain requires further exploration in future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Meehan ◽  
Bernie Carter

This article brings together research from the fields of chronic pain management and somatic practices to develop a novel framework of principles to support people living with persistent pain. These include movement-based approaches to awareness of the internal body (interoception), the external environment (exteroception) and movement in space (proprioception). These significantly work with the lived subjective experiences of people living with pain, to become aware of body signals and self-management of symptoms, explore fear and pleasure of movement, and understand how social environments impact on pain. This analysis has potential to create new ways of supporting, understanding and articulating pain experiences, as well as shaping the future of somatic practices for chronic pain.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Young ◽  
Sung-Jae Lee ◽  
Hendry Perez ◽  
Navkiran Gill ◽  
Lillian Gelberg ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Interventions are urgently needed to reduce prescription opioid misuse risk factors, including anxiety and concomitant use of sedatives. However, only 5 randomized controlled opioid intervention trials have been conducted, with none showing improvements in anxiety. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the feasibility of using an online behavior change community, compared to a control Facebook group, to reduce anxiety and opioid misuse among chronic pain patients. METHODS 51 high-risk non-cancer chronic pain patients were randomly assigned to either a Harnessing Online Peer Education (HOPE) peer-led online behavior change intervention or a control group (no peer leaders) on Facebook for 12 weeks. Inclusion criteria were: 18 years or older, a UCLA Health System patient, prescribed an opioid for non-cancer chronic pain between 3 and 12 months ago, and a score of ≥ 9 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) and/or concomitant use of benzodiazepines. Participation in the online community was voluntary. Patients completed baseline and follow-up assessments on Generalized Anxiety Disorder screener (GAD-7), COMM, and frequency of social media discussions about pain and opioid use. RESULTS Compared to control group participants, intervention participants showed a baseline-to-follow-up decrease in anxiety, and more frequently used social media to discuss pain, prescription opioid use, coping strategies, places to seek help, and alternative therapies for pain. Both groups showed a baseline to follow-up decrease in COMM score. CONCLUSIONS Results support the feasibility of using an online community interventions as a low-cost tool to decrease risk for prescription opioid misuse and its complications. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02735785


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S70-S70
Author(s):  
Mary R Janevic ◽  
Mary Janevic ◽  
Sheria Robinson-Lane ◽  
Susan Murphy ◽  
John Piette

Abstract African American older adults experience disproportionate burden from disabling chronic pain. Pain self-management interventions for this group are most effective when they integrate culturally-relevant preferences into intervention design. In the STEPS pilot trial, we collected focus group (n=23) and survey (n=57) data from African Americans age 60+ years about pain-management practices. Participants were recruited from the community and reported pain for 3+ months, with intensity >4 (0 to 10 scale). The most frequently-used pain-management strategies were exercise (75%) and prayer/Bible reading (74%). Also commonly used were healthy eating (61%), OTC medications (65%), and herbal supplements (51%). Focus group themes provided more nuanced information, including reasons for avoiding prescription pain medications, positive experiences with topical treatments, the value of movement, and the role of social support. Findings reveal strong engagement in pain self-care in this population. Interventions can build on existing practices by incorporating spirituality and appealing options for physical activity.


Author(s):  
Mark Nazemi ◽  
Diane Gromala ◽  
Mehdi Karamnejad

This paper introduces a multidisciplinary and interactive approach to self-management of chronic pain using Virtual Reality (VR). This approach is meant to reduce the reliance on heavy use of medication and provide a non-pharmacological method for pain management. In addition, the paper discusses additional technologies that deal with issues surrounding immersion, presence, and interface design that directly impact the quality of treatment patients can obtain through VR therapy. A set of guidelines are also included that signify the importance of using biofeedback and interactive sound design to help improve rehabilitation and meditation practices for pain reduction.


Author(s):  
Thomas Hadjistavropoulos

Most chronic pain sufferers are treated primarily with biocentric approaches (e.g., pharmacological therapy, surgery) that do not adequately address the often devastating physical, social, and psychological pain sequalae. Self-management programs have the potential of filling a gap not only by assisting with pain management (e.g., facilitating the optimization of participation in prescribed treatments) but also by addressing the psychosocial consequences of pain. Self-management programs have been delivered in a variety of formats (e.g., through the use of groups, self-help books, and technology). With some inconsistencies in the literature, studies of the effectiveness of pain self-management have yielded promising results, although effect sizes tend to be small to moderate. More research is needed to clarify inconsistencies across studies and to directly compare the efficacy of different modes of program delivery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Axon ◽  
Mira J. Patel ◽  
Jennifer R. Martin ◽  
Marion K. Slack

AbstractBackground and aimsMultidomain strategies (i.e. two or more strategies) for managing chronic pain are recommended to avoid excessive use of opioids while producing the best outcomes possible. The aims of this systematic review were to: 1) determine if patient-reported pain management is consistent with the use of multidomain strategies; and 2) identify the role of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patient-reported pain management.MethodsBibliographic databases, websites, and reference lists of included studies were searched to identify published articles reporting community-based surveys of pain self-management from January 1989 to June 2017 using controlled vocabulary (and synonyms): pain; self-care; self-management; self-treatment; and adult. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data on subject demographics, pain characteristics, pain self-management strategies, and pain outcomes. Pain self-management strategies were organized according to our conceptual model. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias. Differences between the researchers were resolved by consensus.ResultsFrom the 3,235 unique records identified, 18 studies published between 2002 and 2017 from 10 countries were included. Twenty-two types of pharmacological strategies were identified (16 prescription, six non-prescription). NSAIDs (15 studies, range of use 10–72%) and opioids (12 studies, range of use 5–72%) were the most commonly reported prescription pharmacological strategies. Other prescription pharmacological strategies included analgesics, acetaminophen, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, salicylates, β-blockers and calcium channel blockers, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and steroids, muscle relaxants, topical products, triptans, and others. Twenty-two types of non-pharmacological strategies were identified: four medical strategies (10 studies), 10 physical strategies (15 studies), four psychological strategies (12 studies), and four self-initiated strategies (15 studies). Medical strategies included consulting a medical practitioner, chiropractic, and surgery. Physical strategies included exercise, massage, hot and cold modalities, acupuncture, physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, activity modification or restriction, assistive devices, and altering body position/posture. Psychological strategies included relaxation, prayer or meditation, therapy, and rest/sleep. Self-initiated strategies included dietary or herbal supplements, dietary modifications, and complementary and alternative medicine. Overall, the number of strategies reported among the studies ranged from five to 28 (out of 44 identified strategies). Limited data on pain outcomes was reported in 15 studies, and included satisfaction with pain management strategies, pain interference on daily activities, adverse events, lost work or restricted activity days, emergency department visits, and disabilities.ConclusionsA wide variety and large number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to manage chronic pain were reported, consistent with the use of multidomain strategies. High levels of use of both NSAIDs and opioids also were reported.ImplicationsComprehensive review and consultation with patients about their pain management strategies is likely needed for optimal outcomes. Additional research is needed to determine: how many, when, and why multidomain strategies are used; the relationship between opioid use, multidomain management strategies, and level of pain; how multidomain strategies relate to outcomes; and if adding strategies to a pain management plan increases the risk of adverse events or interactions, and increases an individuals pain management burden.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N Stinson ◽  
Chitra Lalloo ◽  
Lauren Harris ◽  
Lisa Isaac ◽  
Fiona Campbell ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: While there are emerging web-based self-management programs for children and adolescents with chronic pain, there is currently not an integrated web- and smartphone-based app that specifically addresses the needs of adolescents with chronic pain.OBJECTIVES: To conduct a needs assessment to inform the development of an online chronic pain self-management program for adolescents, called iCanCope with Pain™.METHODS: A purposive sample of adolescents (n=23; 14 to 18 years of age) was recruited from two pediatric chronic pain clinics in Ontario. Interdisciplinary health care providers were also recruited from these sites. Three focus groups were conducted with adolescents (n=16) and one with pediatric health care providers (n=7). Individual adolescent interviews were also conducted (n=7).RESULTS: Qualitative analysis uncovered four major themes: pain impact; barriers to care; pain management strategies; and transition to adult care. Pain impacted social, emotional, physical and role functioning, as well as future goals. Barriers to care were revealed at the health care system, patient and societal levels. Pain management strategies included support systems, and pharmacological, physical and psychological approaches. Transition subthemes were: disconnect between pediatric and adult systems; skills development; parental role; and fear/anxiety. Based on these identified needs, the iCanCope with Pain™ architecture will include the core theory-based functionalities of: symptom self-monitoring; personalized goal setting; pain coping skills training; peer-based social support; and chronic pain education.CONCLUSIONS: The proposed iCanCope with Pain™ program aims to address the self-management needs of adolescents with chronic pain by improving access to disease information, strategies to manage symptoms and social support.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clair Barefoot ◽  
Thomas Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
James Henry

Chronic pain is often resistant to traditional medical management and other types of professional intervention. As such, several investigators have conducted studies of pain self-management programs. These self-management programs, however, were often led by therapists and shared much in common with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); the efficacy of which, despite some inconsistencies, is largely supported in the literature. Although, like CBT, many therapist led programs involve a component of self-management in the form of “homework assignments,” it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of pain self-management, which is not therapist led. Within the context of controlled investigation, we evaluated a pain self-management program that involved use of a comprehensive self-help pain management book for older adults. Contrary to expectation, we did not identify any differences in the outcomes observed in the self-help patient group as compared to the control group (i.e., participants who did not receive the pain management book until after the study was completed) despite a great deal of satisfaction with the manualized program that was expressed by the participants. The implications of these findings are discussed.


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