Pain Self‐Management in HIV‐Infected Individuals with Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Study. Issue 4 (3rd February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merlin, Jessica S.; Walcott, Melonie; Kerns, Robert; Bair, Matthew J.; Burgio, Kathryn L.; Turan, Janet M.
• Is Part Of: Pain medicine. Volume 16:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 706
• Page End: 714
• Publication Date: 2015-02-03
• Subjects: Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Analgesics -- Periodicals; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain Management -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Douleur -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Analgésiques -- Périodiques; Analgésique; Soulagement de la douleur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.047205
• DOI: 10.1111/pme.12701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-2375

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="pme12701-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Chronic pain in individuals with HIV is a common, impairing condition. Behavioral interventions for chronic pain specifically tailored to this population have yet to be developed. We assert that understanding self‐management strategies already used by persons living with these conditions is an essential first step, and is the objective of this investigation.</p> </sec> <sec id="pme12701-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>We conducted a thematic analysis of qualitative data from 25 in‐depth interviews with individuals with HIV and chronic pain.</p> </sec> <sec id="pme12701-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The primary pain self‐management strategies articulated by participants were: physical activity; cognitive and spiritual strategies; spending time with family and friends and social support; avoidance of physical/social activity; medication‐centric pain management; and substance use.</p> </sec> <sec id="pme12701-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Some of these strategies may be viewed as beneficial and overlap with known HIV self‐management strategies (cognitive strategies), whereas others may have negative health consequences (substance use). Interventions that incorporate healthy self‐management strategies may be particularly effective in improving both HIV and pain outcomes.</p> </sec> </abstract>