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Content Analyses Of A Priori Qualitative Phantom Limb Pain Descriptions And Emerging Categories In Mid-Southerners With Limb Loss, Cecile B. Evans

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

The purposes of this descriptive study were (a) to identify the relative frequencies of a priori categories of phantom limb pain (PLP) quality descriptors reported by Mid-Southerners with limb loss, (b) to analyze their descriptions for emerging categories of PLP, and (c) to identify the relative frequencies of the emerging categories.

Design

This cross-sectional descriptive verbal survey assessed PLP descriptors. A content analyses determined relative frequencies of a priori PLP descriptors as well as emerging categories that were identified.

Findings

The most common a priori PLP quality descriptors reported by 52 amputees with PLP were intermittent, tingling/needles/numb, sharp, cramping, …