Pain Management Commons^™

Personalized Pain Management Pathway Based On Individual Diagnoses, Tiana Bell Asn, Rn, Diana Desmornes Asn, Rn, Autumn Dwyer Bsn, Rn, Monica Foley Asn, Rn, Marissa Forleo Bsn, Rn, Heather Mcmillan Asn, Rn, Nicole Valenti Bsn, Rn

Posters

The intervention we’re proposing offers a comprehensive, individualized approach to pain management, taking into account diagnosis-specific pain scales, nonpharmacological interventions, and continued pain control post-discharge.

Baseline Predictors Of Responders To Auricular Point Acupressure In Chronic Low Back Pain, Nada Lukkahatai, Wanqi Chen, Jennifer Kawi, Hulin Wu, Claudia M Campbell, Johannes Thrul, Xinran Huang, Paul Christo, Constance M Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major cause of disability, with varied patient responses to treatments. Auricular point acupressure (APA) has shown potential as a non-pharmacological intervention, but individual responses may differ significantly.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictability of baseline characteristics, including functional disability, symptom severity, and treatment expectancy, on clinically significant responses to APA in reducing pain and improving function.

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from a randomized controlled trial with 263 cLBP patients. Participants were randomly assigned to targeted APA (T-APA), non-targeted APA (NT-APA), or to a control group. APA …

Grief As Slip: (How Little I Show) An Exploration In Clay, When Words Are Not Enough, Michelle A. Smith

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Grief as Slip (how little I show) implies that even as we acknowledge our mortality and the fleeting nature of life, we still only reveal a fraction of our true selves or our deeper realities. The ceramic artwork in this exhibition carries and conveys a journey through the present and remembered emotions of the artists’ personal narrative. By juxtaposing the tactile nature of clay with the ethereal quality of human experience, Smith contemplates the profound interplay between material transformation and emotional resilience. The exhibition’s intent is to translate the essence of complex emotional states into abstracted forms so they can …

The Endocannabinoid System's Influence And Modulation Of Nociception, Doreen M. Flannery

Honors Thesis

The anatomy and physiology of pain is a well-defined pathway where noxious stimuli is processed by different systems in the brain. The central research question of this review is how can we better understand the neurobiological effects pain has, and assess if there is therapeutic potential in using endocannabinoids to modulate these effects. Endocannabinoids are signaling molecules that play a key role at both the cellular and molecular level in modulating both acute and chronic pain by influencing different processes within each level that affect how the body responds to both internal and external stimuli. The endocannabinoid system is a …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Theodore B. Taverner, Joshua Holt

Persimmon Creek

A war veteran with PTSD wakes on abandoned train tracks, a gun in hand, blood on his clothes, and a body by his feet. Disoriented and haunted by fragmented memories, he struggles to piece together the truth as sirens close in.

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

Addressing Pain Management Postoperatively From A Multimodal Approach In Response To The Opioid Epidemic, Victoria Pascoe

Best Integrated Writing

This review article explores the four-wave opioid epidemic across the United States and the postsurgical multimodal pain management approaches being implemented to help combat it. Breaking down the mechanistic approach to pain in the form of opioid-alternative analgesics, cryotherapeutic techniques, cognitive approaches, and more, this paper offers insight into how pain can be managed outside of the historical approach, while also exploring the future directions of the field as physicians and researchers alike search for ways to offer more comfort and quality of life to the patients who walk through their clinic doors.

Bending But Not Breaking: An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility And Suicidality In Individuals With Chronic Pain, Adalyn Mcmurray, Dr. Michael Bordieri, Phd

Scholars Week

Chronic pain is a burdensome condition that has been found to be associated with increased suicide risk, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear (Domenichiello & Ramsden, 2019). The present study aimed to examine the role of pain interference and psychological inflexibility in predicting past two-week suicidal thoughts among individuals with chronic pain, with psychological inflexibility explored as a potential moderator. This study also sought to replicate and extend McCracken et al. (2018) and enhance the understanding of suicidality in chronic pain populations by using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (Rolffs et al., 2018b), a more psychometrically sound measure …

Using Musical Interventions As A Non-Pharmacological Strategy To Improve Chronic Pain Levels And Satisfaction Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Fredeline Metellus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Background

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic, inherited blood disorder characterized by severe pain episodes that are often poorly managed with standard pharmacological treatments. In response to patient dissatisfaction with pain control and the desire for holistic alternatives, this quality improvement project explored music therapy as a non-pharmacological pain management strategy.

Purpose

The primary aim was to reduce chronic pain by at least 20% and improve patient satisfaction with pain management among adults with SCD using a structured musical intervention.

Methodology

This project was implemented at a comprehensive outpatient SCD clinic using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. Five adult patients …

Controlled Substances: A Prescription For Risk Mitigation, Carrie Knaus

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

No abstract provided.

Use And Benefits Of A Therapeutic Hypnosis Interactive Media Program For Chronic Pain Management: A Pilot Study, Mark P. Jensen, Joy F. Chan, Owen Gottlieb, Laurence I. Sugarman, Emily Stensland

Articles

Chronic pain is a common condition that has significant negative effects on individuals and society. Opioids continue to be the primary treatment provided to the billions of individuals with chronic pain, despite their general lack of efficacy and significant negative side effects. A growing body of research supports the potential of therapeutic hypnosis for helping individuals better manage their chronic pain. However, access to this treatment is limited. The availability of a hypnosis digital therapeutic has the potential to address this access problem. The current study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of a digital therapeutic hypnosis prototype (not yet …

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation As A Treatment Modality For Functional Bowel Disorder And Irritable Bowel Syndrome And Possible Correlations With The Gut-Brain Axis: A Review, Lauren Draper, Devin Pfister, Ethan Zaugg

Annual Research Symposium

Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD), including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), are highly prevalent gastrointestinal conditions classified as Disorders of Gut-Brain Interactions (DGBIs) under the Rome IV criteria. These conditions, marked by abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and significant psychological comorbidities, present substantial challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. Conventional therapies primarily target gut-centric mechanisms but often yield limited efficacy, underscoring the need for approaches that account for the complex interplay of the gut-brain axis in DGBI pathophysiology.

Anesthesia And Pain Management In Conflict-Affected Regions: Addressing Global Health Barriers To Access And Quality Of Care​, Naeel Uddin, Sierra Brown, Maria Easler, Ayanda Mkhize, Marwa Hamdam, Chandu Goli, Lauren Draper

Annual Research Symposium

This poster examines how to deliver safe, effective anesthesia and pain control in areas with limited resources and ongoing security threats. Focusing on portable technology, ketamine-based protocols, and telemedicine, we highlight ethical considerations, training needs, and global collaborations. Our findings outline a pathway to reduce suffering and improve surgical outcomes in vulnerable populations by addressing challenges unique to conflict settings.

Bending But Not Breaking: An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility And Suicidality In Individuals With Chronic Pain, Adalyn Mcmurray

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain is a burdensome condition that has been found to be associated with increased suicide risk, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear (Domenichiello & Ramsden, 2019). The present study aimed to examine the role of pain interference and psychological inflexibility in predicting past two-week suicidal thoughts among individuals with chronic pain, with psychological inflexibility explored as a potential moderator. This study also sought to replicate and extend McCracken et al. (2018) and enhance the understanding of suicidality in chronic pain populations by using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (Rolffs et al., 2018b), a more psychometrically sound measure …

Examining Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives On The Acceptability Of Pain-Mitigation As A Tool To Manage Needle Fear, Sarah C M Morton

Theses and Dissertations

Needle fear affects up to 63% of the global adult population and is associated with significant fear-based medical care avoidance (e.g., blood donation refusal, vaccine hesitancy, insulin injection adherence). Current behavioral treatments have low acceptance in this population, and often fail to address the experience of pain associated with needle procedures. Despite the existence of evidence-based pain-mitigation for needle procedures, these interventions are not commonly used in clinical settings. The current study used qualitative methods to examine patient and provider perceptions of: 1) current methods of needle fear management, and 2) the acceptability of pain-mitigation as an effective tool to …

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women Of Color In New York City: Biological And Systemic Impacts, Kaylin Peña

Pitzer Senior Theses

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women of Color in New York City: Biological and Systemic Impacts

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore how racial health disparities, underrepresentation in gynecology, and socioeconomic barriers contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of color in New York City. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines resources from medical anthropology and human biology, this research will examine the biological implications of chronic stress, specifically HPA axis dysregulation, and its role in maternal health outcomes. With the idea of intersectionality, as conceptualized by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the study analyzes the various effects of systemic inequities and social …

The Impact Of Nurse-Led Distraction Techniques On Pain And Anxiety During Cancer Treatment In Pediatric Oncology Patients: Examining Virtual Reality And Play Therapy, Alexis Abalos

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Children undergoing cancer treatment often experience pain and anxiety during procedures such as port access or peripheral catheterization. Nurse-led distraction techniques, including virtual reality and play therapy, have emerged as promising non-pharmacologic interventions to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric oncology patients. Existing data from primary and secondary research articles reveal the effectiveness of virtual reality and play therapy on reducing pain, anxiety, and psychosocial distress in pediatric oncology patients receiving cancer treatment. This study proposes a quasi-experimental design involving 90 pediatric oncology patients aged 6–12 years diagnosed with leukemia. Participants will be placed in a nurse-led VR distraction, play …

Reducing Stress Related To Injection Therapy: A Zen Bundle Approach, Valoree Bowen

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Needle fear and stress are common barriers preventing adults from seeking necessary medical treatments, including intramuscular (IM) injection therapy. Research highlights the need for evidence-based interventions to mitigate this fear and improve patient experience.

Objective: This evidence-based pilot project included a Zen Bundle—an intervention incorporating shared decision-making, aromatherapy, and distraction—to evaluate the impact on stress reduction and patient satisfaction in a retail vitamin shop in North Texas.

Methods: The project utilized a pre-and post-intervention design over eight weeks. Participants completed pre-surveys assessing stress levels using a Visual Analog Scale before choosing an intervention (aromatherapy, distraction, or both) during IM …

Grounded In Motion: Finding Calm Through Daily Stretching, Everett H. Tai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson targets undergraduate students, reframing stretching as an essential, evidence-based habit for long-term wellness and stress management. The lesson's primary goal is to empower students to confidently design and consistently apply a personalized routine that protects their mobility and independence. Students will master the core science, understanding that dynamic stretching may augment performance pre-exercise, while shorter static stretches can be performed without compromising muscle performance, and post-exercise stretching can reduce muscle pain perception. This lesson emphasizes proper execution, requiring students to warm up first with 5 to 10 minutes of light activity with focus on technique. This practical knowledge …