Pain Management Commons^™

Predictors Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Chronic Low Back Pain Patients, Lorie Tulia Decarvalho

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study investigated the predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity level in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Research questions focused on whether or not patients with CLBP would evidence clinically-significant levels of PTSD, whether or not the intensity and duration of the trauma would predict PTSD symptoms, and whether or not the age of the patient and perceived uncontrollability would positively predict PTSD symptom severity level. Participants included 161 patients receiving treatment for their CLBP from several Southern California chronic pain clinics, as well as major Southern California chiropractic facilities. Data was gathered through selfreport …

Clinically Relevant Aspects Of Chronic Pain: Normal Personality Predictors, Stephen Ray Nitch

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study examined the normal personality characteristics of chronic pain patients using cluster analysis. To date, much of the research involving chronic pain and personality has assumed that signs of psychopathology are likely to be present (Jay, Grove, and Grove, 1987; Love and Peck, 1987). There have been some exceptions to this trend by researchers who sought to measure the normal personality structure of individuals with chronic pain (see Wade, Dougherty, Hart, and Cook, 1992). One of central aims of the current study was to further refine the psychosocial taxonomy of chronic pain patients by paying more attention to individual …

Update - July 2002, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- Having Enough Faith Not To Be Healed
-- Theological Warrants for Palliative Care
-- Congratulations (master program graduates)

Pain Experienced By Patients During Periodontal Recall Treatment, Thu-Diem Chung

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The aims of this study were to determine; 1) the degree of pain experienced by patients during probing and debridement; 2) if the treating hygienists could estimate the degree of pain experienced by the patients; and 3) if the patients' pain responses could be predicted by factors such as the patients' age, gender, number of residual periodontal lesions, and the patients' answers to a questionnaire on dental anxiety.

Prior to the maintenance procedures, 2 groups of 20 adult patients to be treated by 2 hygienists completed an anxiety questionnaire. Subsequently, measurements of probing depths were performed, followed by pain ratings …

The Nature Of The Traumatic Event As A Predictor Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Chronic Low Back Pain Patients, Lorie Tulia Decarvalho

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study investigated the specific nature of the traumatic event in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Specifically, the following questions were asked: (1) Do individuals with CLBP evidence posttraumatic stress disorder?, (2) In patients with CLBP, what is the trauma which predicts the development of PTSD- the specific event which led to the lower back pain, any other traumatic event, or is it the chronic low back pain itself which is traumatic? (3) In CLBP patients who evidence PTSD, do the intensity and duration of the trauma predict the development of PTSD? Participants were 112 patients receiving …

Chronic Pain: A Study Of Low Back Pain Patients From Southern West Virginia And Eastern Kentucky, Nickandrea M. Cooke

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) was administered to 60 males ranging from 22 to 65 years of age. Subjects were seeking treatment at Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, an outpatient mental health center, for depression/anxiety with a secondary diagnosis of chronic pain stemming from low back pain related to an injury. This study considered T-scores of a K-corrected profile using Scales F (Faking, 1 (Hypochondriasis), 2 (Depression), and 3 (Hysteria). Statistical interpretation of data was obtained through use of the General Linear Model at the p < .05 level of significance to determine variance among the groups. Subjects were assigned to three of six groups based on the criteria of age (less than 35 years vs. 35 years or older); duration of pain (less than one year's duration vs. one year or more duration); and medical evidence available (with clinical evidence to support an orthopedic diagnosis vs. those with no clinical evidence available). The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between groups on the age variable and the only significant differences on the medical evidence variable were for Scales 2 (D) and 3 (Hy). On the duration of pain variable, significant differences among groups for all scales were noted. Also, chronic low back pain patients from this geographic area presented with extreme elevations on Scale F and high elevations on Scales 1 (Hs), 2 (D), and 3 (Hy), with a higher elevation on Scale 2 (D).

The Nonverbal Communication Of Pain As Recognized By Alternative Health Care Providers, Jodi L. Pope

Masters Theses

Recognizing nonverbal messages of pain in a health care setting is essential. The nonverbal communication of pain is a communication aspect typically overlooked in modern health care environments. This research surveyed alternative health care providers to determine what nonverbal behaviors they recognize as pain indicators and how they react to those behaviors. Massage therapists and chiropractors from a Midwest county filled out surveys and participated in a focus group. Fifty nonverbal pain indicators, such as guarding body parts, postural inequalities, gait, and clenched fists, among others, were charted. Several other topics such as learning how to determine nonverbal pain indicators, …

Nonmigrainous Pediatric Headache Management: Thermal Biofeedback And Parent Guidelines, Richard E. Arndorfer

Dissertations

This study explored the utility of the combination of thermal biofeedback and parent-mediated pain behavior management guidelines as a treatment for children experiencing nonmigrainous headache. Five children, ages 8 to 14, were assigned to baselines of varying lengths prior to receiving treatment. Four of the five children demonstrated significant reductions in one or more headache parameters (frequency, duration, average peak intensity) following treatment. The utility of thermal biofeedback and parent-mediated guidelines are supported as a treatment for children suffering from nonmigrainous headache.

Update - March 1999, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- Mark Carr, Richard Rice and Siroj Sorajjakool join LLU Faculty of Religion
-- Scholars, Clinicians, and Patients Highlight February Palliative Care Conference
-- [ The Meaning of Pain and Suffering ]
-- MA in Clinical Ethics
-- MA in Clinical Ministry

Cognitive And Psychophysiological Investigation Of Chronic Pain, Amy D. Clegg

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Using Bower’s (1981) associative network model of mood and memory, and Klinger’s theory of current concerns, it was hypothesized that the experience of chronic pain may be functionally similar to a mood state and that the chronicity of the condition may maintain it as a current concern. Specifically, it was hypothesized that chronic pain patients would not show any differences in reaction time and accuracy when making lexical decisions about pain-related, neutral, and nonwords. However, it was anticipated that chronic pain patients would show differences in physiological responding (particularly, increased skin conductance responses) when compared to controls. Results confirmed that …

The Efficacy Of Pediatric Pain Management Techniques For Infants During Inoculation Procedures, Kimberly K. Wisdorf-Houtkooper

Dissertations

In this study four different pre-immunization interventions were compared with respect to their effects on modifying arousal level before an immunization and their effects on the level and duration of distress after the immunization. In addition, the study evaluated whether the infants’ pre-inoculation behavioral state affected their response to a painful stimulus. Data consisting of facial expression, presence or absence of cry, cry duration, and behavioral state were collected prior to, during, and after the inoculation. Forty-two subjects were randomly assigned to one of four soothing conditions. These included: rocking, swaddling, sucking on a pacifier, and a control group.

An …

Repressed Memories Of Repeated Sexual Abuse: From Real Incest To The Emergence Of False Memories, Alice M. Donovan

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

Incest and childhood sexual abuse have been and continue to be a problem in our society. However, Today a relatively new phenomena involving repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse plagues our society. Women, and some men, between the ages of 25 to 40 who have sought therapy for relatively common problems such as marital difficulties, work related problems, eating disorders or simple depression: without ever having any memories of being sexually abused as a child, have come to believe while in therapy that they were the victims of repeated childhood sexual abuse. Thousands of people are remembering such abuse, and …

Adolescent Suicide: The Implication Of Coping, Family Functioning And Their Interactions For Prevention And Intervention, Ronald F. Bobner, David M. Weis, Carolyn Ridenour, Pam Gulley Smith, Kathy Kormos, Ben E. Lanpher

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

It has become apparent over the past ten years that the role of the family has been identified as an increasingly significant variable with regard to adolescent suicide. Some authors go as far as to say that "family related factors appear to be, very little information is available about the family characteristics of youths that kill themselves. Furthermore, family characteristics of youths who attempt suicide are often described as a side feature of investigations of other factors, and these generally focus on the family characteristics only after an attempt has occurred. Little is known about those family factors that are …

Perceived Parental Care And Protection As Correlates Of Chronic Pain In Adults, Daniel L. Walberer

Dissertations

This research was undertaken to explore the significance of care and protection as correlates related to the experience of chronic pain in adults. Chronic pain may affect as many as ten percent of the American population and cost up to a billion dollars a year in treatment costs. It was hypothesized that certain parenting styles are related to the experience of chronic pain in adults.

Thirty male and female patients referred to The Center for Health Psychology and Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan who were diagnosed as experiencing chronic pain by a referring physician participated in this study. Each participant underwent …

A Comparison Of Blood Volume Pulse And False Biofeedback In The Treatment Of Migraine, Paul Greilick

Dissertations

The efficacy of temporal artery blood volume pulse (BVP) biofeedback in the treatment of migraine was investigated. After four pre-treatment baseline psycho-physiological monitoring sessions, 8 migrainuers were randomly assigned to undergo 12 sessions of either BVP biofeedback or a placebo procedure (false feedback). Both treatments resulted in clinically significant and statistically equivalent reductions in headache activity and medication intake. Subjects exhibited substantial within-session decreases in BVP amplitude during pre-treatment baseline sessions and during false feedback, and the introduction of BVP biofeedback failed to increase the magnitude or the rate of BVP amplitude reductions. All subjects failed to show evidence of …

Temperature And Pain Changes Resulting From Post Surgical (Arthroscopy) Application Of Cold Packs, Caroline L. Creager

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post-surgical cold applications are beneficial to orthopedic surgery patients. However, their use is limited because of the difficulty in maintaining a constant temperature, increased need for attention, and unwanted leaks or condensation from ice bags. Twenty-one arthroscopic surgery patients were divided into three groups: a Dura*Kold cold pack group, an Aircast Cryo/cuff compression dressing group, and a control group. Six dependent variables were examined: subjective pain ratings three and 48 hours after surgery, a subjective rating of functional activity 48 hours after surgery, skin temperature for three hours after surgery, and pain medication consumed during three hours and 48 hours …

The Effectiveness Of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (Rest) On Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain, David D. Smith

Dissertations

A number of studies have demonstrated that both progressive relaxation training and biofeedback are effective in reducing chronic low back pain. Floatation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation therapy), a relatively new method developed for relaxation, has demonstrated promising results and appears to be particularly well suited for the low back pain patient. The primary hypothesis of this project was that REST would reduce pain as evidenced by changes in physiological, behavioral and self-report measures commonly associated with chronic pain reduction. A secondary hypothesis was generated after the first of three experiments: that employment would be an important variable in determining the effectiveness …

Introducing The Living With Illness Group: A Specialized Treatment For Patients With Chronic Schizophrenic Conditions, Thomas G. Plante, Stephanie L. Pinder, David Howe

Psychology

This paper introduces a specialized psychotherapy/psychoeducational group treatment for patients with chronic psychotic symptoms who receive only partial benefit from psychotropic medications, psychotherapy, and milieu/activities therapy. The goal of the group is to assist patients to accurately identify the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that are dysfunctional symptoms of their disability and then use the functional aspects of their brain as well as learned coping strategies to compensate for their disability. The group format, philosophy, procedures, and typical topics of discussion are detailed.

The Efficacy Of Biofeedback In The Treatment Of Tension Headaches, Micahel Earl Waters

Graduate Theses

Fifteen adults from the general population with chronic tension headaches were divided into four groups. Four were assigned to relaxation instructions, biofeedback (EMG and temperature), and home relaxation practice; four were assigned to relaxation instructions and biofeedback; four were assigned to biofeedback alone; and three were assigned to a no-treatment group. Subjects completed a ten-day baseline period followed by a three-week treatment period. Measures were taken of headache frequency, duration, intensity, frontalis EMG, and temperature recordings. Comparisons of pre- and post-treatment data indicated that not one treatment group was significantly different from any other treatment group, including the no-treatment group, …

0458: Brad Dent Papers, 1987, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

` Marijuana cultivation: A comparison study of New Hanover and Brunswick Counties in coastal North Carolina and Cabell and Wayne Counties in the mountainous ranges of West Virginia,' a paper written for a psychology class at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in the spring of 1987.

Update - October 1986, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- Center presents faith and peace conference
-- Senator Gore addresses transplant ethics at LLU November 17
-- AAW features "Women of Courage" November 28-30
-- Is God "Dead" in Biomedical Ethics? (Critique)

[ Why Does God Let Us Suffer? ]
-- The Mystery of Suffering
-- Will Suffering Ever Really End?
-- Religion and Suffering Among My Patients
-- God and Suffering: A Discussion

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring, Emg Biofeedback, And Relaxation Tapes In The Treatment Of Tension Headaches, Daniel A. Viens

Masters Theses

Tension headache is an important medical-behavioral disorder because of its high incidence and the personal discomfort and disruption of normal activities that frequently accompany it. Several behavioral strategies have been applied in the treatment of this disorder. Two of the most prominent treatments are EMG biofeedback and Progressive muscle relaxation exercises. Research has shown both of these strategies to be effective treatments of tension headache but much debate still ensues as to which is the more effective treatment. The effects of different self-monitoring procedures have never been compared during EMG biofeedback or Progressive muscle relaxation treatments of tension headache.

In …

The Effects Of Systematic Relaxation On The Number Of Times Pain Medication Was Administered To Immobilized Traction Patients, Brenda Carol Armstrong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

The Use Of E.M.G. Biofeedback To Promote Relaxation And Relief Of Chronic Low Back Pain, Esther Fashina, Dorothy Holm

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if relaxation instruction and electromyographic (E.M.G.) feedback would reduce chronic low back pain. A secondary aim was to determine if the locus of control variable as defined by Rotter would influence the results obtained.

Fourteen non-hospitalized subjects with chronic low back pain, meeting the criteria of this study became the sample group. The training program consisted of six 30-minute sessions during which the subjects were taught relaxation with the use of a feedback electromyograph and relaxation instructions. After an interval of two weeks, a seventh session was conducted to evaluate if …

The Relationship Of Instructions During Labor And Relaxation, Frances Josephine Hume Lopez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A causal-comparative study was done in a county hospital using twenty subjects to determine if the ''unprepared" primigravida patient in active labor will experience less pain if given instructions to aid relaxation. It was hypothesized that the "unprepared" primigravida patients receiving continuous nurse attendance plus instructions to aid relaxation by (1) breathing techniques, and (2) body positions would show less evidences of pain, tension and anxiety during the first and second stages of labor than the group of patients which received only the continuous nurse attendance.

Two devices, (1) a structured observation, (2) a questionnaire with fixed-alternative questions, were used …

A Comparative Study Of Discomfort Experienced By Surgical Patients On Three Selected Postoperative Days, Lillian Barker Bartlett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A descriptive survey was conducted to compare the discomfort experienced on three selected postoperative days to determine if there is one day identified by the patient as the most uncomfortable and to assess the symptoms of which he might complain. A checklist of twelve symptoms common to postsurgical patients was administered on the evenings of the second, third and fourth postoperative days by the researcher. Findings indicated that nineteen or 56 per cent of the thirty-four patients interviewed stated that the second day was most uncomfortable, nine or 27 per cent the third and six or 17 per cent the …

The Narcotic Problem And Its Possible Solutions, Margaret Esther Wiley

Bachelors’ Theses

Because of the importance of drug addiction this thesis will consider the problem of narcotics in the United States medically, sociologically, and psychologically and will offer possible solutions through education, legislation, and medicine. Other works on this subject are: "The Opium Problem", by Dr. Charles E. Terry and Mildred Pellens, and the many pamphlets published yearly by the Narcotics Bureau of the Treasury Department from 1929 to 1937. The thesis is divided into two parts, the first part discusses the problem of Narcotics, and the second part discusses the possible solutions to the problem. The first part is made up …

The Physiological And Psychological Effects Of Resistance Training On Overweight And Obese Adolescents, Imara A. Person

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is evaluating the relationship between resistance training and its effects on obese adolescents with the purpose of reducing physical inactivity. One method includes improving strength in obese children through strength exercises. As well as the effectiveness of resistance training on psychological components such as self-efficacy, exercise competence, and self-esteem as a means of increasing long term exercise adherence.

Research included in this study follow the CDC’s recommendation of youth strength training: 6-17 years old (2022e). Databases such University of Central Florida Library, PubMed, SportDiscus, and Journal of Strength and Conditioning were used to find appropriate …