Psychological Methods of Managing Surgical Pain.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the effectiveness of mindfulness training as a psychological intervention for managing chronic pain, particularly in military veterans.
Results Summary
The abstract mentions pilot research initiating an RCT to test mindfulness training's value for veterans with chronic pain, suggesting potential efficacy, but specific results are not detailed. Systematic reviews indicate psychological interventions, including mindfulness, may improve patient experiences and clinical outcomes in surgery contexts.
Population
Military veterans with chronic pain and patients undergoing abdominal or general surgery.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psychological interventions | neutral | analgesic requirements as well as patient-centered and clinical outcomes | patients who experience chronic or acute wound pain | - | can be affected | #1 |
various psychological interventions | decrease | chronic pain lasting 3 or more months | - | - | may be effective in managing | #2 |
mindfulness training | neutral | chronic pain | military veterans | - | testing the value of | #3 |
such interventions | increase | patients' experiences or clinical outcomes | those undergoing abdominal and general surgery | - | explored whether improve | #4 |
In patients who experience chronic or acute wound pain, analgesic requirements as well as patient-centered and clinical outcomes can be affected by psychological interventions as explored by considerable research. Psychological interventions are classified as procedural: informing patients of wound or surgery procedures; sensory: describing how the wound or procedure will feel; behavioral: telling patients what to do to facilitate procedures or recovery; cognitive: coaching patients how to think more positively about the wound or procedure; relaxation: systematic muscle relaxing and/or breathing techniques; hypnosis: suggesting changes in patient perceptions; mindfulness: techniques based on meditation or contemplation; emotional: methods of coping with stress related to the wound or procedure; or patient-generated narratives focusing on the procedure or wound. These interventions are often used alongside analgesics or anesthetics. Evidence suggests that various psychological interventions may be effective in managing chronic pain lasting 3 or more months. In June 2020, a planned systematic review exploring their interactions with pharmacologic agents in managing chronic nonspecific lower back pain was announced. Pilot research has initiated a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the value of mindfulness training for military veterans dealing with chronic pain. In this installment of Evidence Corner, 2 recent systematic reviews that explored whether such interventions improve patients' experiences or clinical outcomes for those undergoing abdominal and general1 surgery are reviewed.