Management principles for chronic pain in survivors of traumatic spinal cord injury
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Date
2024
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Chronic pain is a common secondary complication in the traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) population and has been documented across the world impacting on quality of life (QOL) as well as activities of daily living (ADL’s). Furthermore, chronic pain also impacts on psychological factors resulting in poorer mental health. The current management of chronic pain, globally, is largely based on a predominant pharmacological approach, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Both researchers and persons with TSCI (PWTSCI) are contesting the medically-oriented approach to pain management owing to the complexity of chronic pain and the undesirable side-effects associated with pharmacological use. Within the disorder of chronic pain, a complex interaction of biological, social and psychological factors plays a role in the representation of chronic pain, and, therefore, pharmacological approaches alone cannot be sufficient to treat this multifaceted disorder. In the TSCI population, individuals have highlighted their needs for non-pharmacological interventions to manage their chronic pain. As early as 1977, George Engel proposed to transform the medical model by adapting a biopsychosocial approach to pain management. In South Africa no guideline exists to guide healthcare providers along this biopsychosocial approach in the TSCI population. This doctoral research project, therefore, aimed to develop design principles for the management of chronic pain in the TSCI population.
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Keywords
Principles of management, Healthcare providers, Chronic pain, Traumatic spinal cord injury, Primary healthcare