Lecture 10 - Pain

Question 1

How does the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) define pain?

Answer 1

Unpleasant sensory OR emotional experience which is associated with actual OR potential tissue damage

Question 2

What are the 2 types of pain?

Answer 2

Acute (pain which occurs up to 3 months ad is related to damage) eg stabbed. or Chronic - persistent pain which cannot be fixed after surgery

Question 3

What factors influence pain under the Biopsychosocial model?

Answer 3

1. Biological factors - central sensitization - eg high reactivity to pain.
2. Psychological factors - perception of pain, attitudes about pain, illness and pain behaviour, pain coping strategies and psychological distress
3. Social factors - cultural, economic or occupational influences

Question 4

How do we assess pain?

Answer 4

By looking at red flags, yellow flags, outcome measures and diagnostic issues

Question 5

What are red flags versus yellow flags?

Answer 5

Red flags are things that are associated with the actual pain - eg progressive back pain with lots of other factors (drug user, previous cancer, traffic accident etc) where Yellow flags are other psychosocial factors which may be affecting the pain eg psychological distress, anxiety, family, work, compensation battle and attitudes/beliefs about pain.

Question 6

What things affect Outcome Measures for pain?

Answer 6

Severity of pain, disability, medications, self-efficacy, coping strategies (distraction, exercise, meditation), mood/anxiety/stress

Question 7

What are some interventions for pain?

Answer 7

Depends on whether pain is acute or chronic. Usually involves a holistic/whole person approach. CBT and other therapies, Group therapies (shown to be better for pain as they can learn from others) and internet therapies. Aim is not to cure patient, but to have a better life.