title: The effects of vulnerabilities and strengths on the outcomes of a chronic pain management programme

authors: Campbell, Eryn

subjects: Chronic pain

abstract: Chronic pain is a problem that affects around one million New Zealanders and is very difficult to treat effectively. Most pain management programmes focus on decreasing levels of treatment outcome measures (pain catastrophising, pain intensity, interference) and increasing levels of pain self-efficacy. Research shows that higher levels of vulnerabilities (depression, anxiety, stress, pessimism) can negatively impact treatment outcomes. However, research also shows that increasing levels of strengths (optimism, hope, spirituality, social support, grit) affect treatment outcomes positively. We wanted to determine if there were differences in treatment outcomes for participants with high levels of vulnerabilities or strengths. Our study looked at the relationships between treatment outcome measures, vulnerabilities, and strengths over a three-week pain management programme. Participants (N = 40) attending the ReCharge Programme at QE Health completed repeat measure scales at intake, discharge, and 12-week follow-up. We found that higher levels of depression, stress, and pessimism were associated with higher levels of pain catastrophising, pain intensity, and interference, and lower levels of pain self-efficacy. Conversely, higher levels of optimism, hope, spirituality, and grit were associated with lower levels catastrophising, intensity, and interference, and higher levels of pain self-efficacy. Anxiety and social support were not associated with any treatment outcomes. We also found that correlations of composite measures of strengths accounted for more variability in pain self-efficacy than did composite vulnerabilities. This suggests that tailored interventions, based on levels of strengths at intake, aimed at increasing levels of strengths during the ReCharge Programme could improve treatment outcome measures for clients.

text: The effects of vulnerabilities and strengths on the outcomes of a chronic pain management programme Chronic pain is a problem that affects around one million New Zealanders and is very difficult to treat effectively. Most pain management programmes focus on decreasing levels of treatment outcome measures (pain catastrophising, pain intensity, interference) and increasing levels of pain self-efficacy. Research shows that higher levels of vulnerabilities (depression, anxiety, stress, pessimism) can negatively impact treatment outcomes. However, research also shows that increasing levels of strengths (optimism, hope, spirituality, social support, grit) affect treatment outcomes positively. We wanted to determine if there were differences in treatment outcomes for participants with high levels of vulnerabilities or strengths. Our study looked at the relationships between treatment outcome measures, vulnerabilities, and strengths over a three-week pain management programme. Participants (N = 40) attending the ReCharge Programme at QE Health completed repeat measure scales at intake, discharge, and 12-week follow-up. We found that higher levels of depression, stress, and pessimism were associated with higher levels of pain catastrophising, pain intensity, and interference, and lower levels of pain self-efficacy. Conversely, higher levels of optimism, hope, spirituality, and grit were associated with lower levels catastrophising, intensity, and interference, and higher levels of pain self-efficacy. Anxiety and social support were not associated with any treatment outcomes. We also found that correlations of composite measures of strengths accounted for more variability in pain self-efficacy than did composite vulnerabilities. This suggests that tailored interventions, based on levels of strengths at intake, aimed at increasing levels of strengths during the ReCharge Programme could improve treatment outcome measures for clients.

year: 2021

title: Prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal pain when running during pregnancy: A survey of 3102 women

authors: Wyatt, Hannah E.

abstract: Background: Musculoskeletal pain while running is a concern to women during pregnancy and can lead to running cessation. To support women who wish to run during pregnancy, it is essential to understand the sites, severities and personal risk factors associated with musculoskeletal pain. Objective: The aim was to investigate prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal pain when running during pregnancy. Methods: An online survey was completed by women who had a child in the past 5 years and ran prior to and during pregnancy. Pain frequency informed prevalence rates by body site, and logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: A total of 3102 women of 23 ethnicities from 25 countries completed the survey. Women were 22–52 years old when they gave birth and ran 2–129 km/week during the 0.5–35 years before the birth of their youngest child. Women ran significantly less distance and less often during pregnancy than before pregnancy. Most women (86%) experienced pain while running during pregnancy (59% pelvis/sacroiliac joint, 52% lower back, 51% abdomen, 44% breast, 40% hip). The highest prevalence of severe-to-worst pain was at the pelvis/sacroiliac joint (9%). Women at greatest risk of pain while running during pregnancy had a previous injury (OR = 3.44) or were older (OR = 1.04). Women with a previous child were less likely to experience breast pain (OR = 0.76) than those running during their first pregnancy. Conclusion: Healthcare practices to reduce pain should focus on regions of greatest musculoskeletal change during pregnancy, specifically the pelvis, lower back and abdomen. Efforts to support women to run for longer throughout pregnancy should focus on pain at the pelvis and breasts.

text: Prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal pain when running during pregnancy: A survey of 3102 women Background: Musculoskeletal pain while running is a concern to women during pregnancy and can lead to running cessation. To support women who wish to run during pregnancy, it is essential to understand the sites, severities and personal risk factors associated with musculoskeletal pain. Objective: The aim was to investigate prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal pain when running during pregnancy. Methods: An online survey was completed by women who had a child in the past 5 years and ran prior to and during pregnancy. Pain frequency informed prevalence rates by body site, and logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: A total of 3102 women of 23 ethnicities from 25 countries completed the survey. Women were 22–52 years old when they gave birth and ran 2–129 km/week during the 0.5–35 years before the birth of their youngest child. Women ran significantly less distance and less often during pregnancy than before pregnancy. Most women (86%) experienced pain while running during pregnancy (59% pelvis/sacroiliac joint, 52% lower back, 51% abdomen, 44% breast, 40% hip). The highest prevalence of severe-to-worst pain was at the pelvis/sacroiliac joint (9%). Women at greatest risk of pain while running during pregnancy had a previous injury (OR = 3.44) or were older (OR = 1.04). Women with a previous child were less likely to experience breast pain (OR = 0.76) than those running during their first pregnancy. Conclusion: Healthcare practices to reduce pain should focus on regions of greatest musculoskeletal change during pregnancy, specifically the pelvis, lower back and abdomen. Efforts to support women to run for longer throughout pregnancy should focus on pain at the pelvis and breasts.

year: 2024-02-06

title: Flora + Fauna

authors: Apiata, Hāwea

abstract: Visual poetry featured in 'To feel the earth as one's skin: An anthology of Indigenous visual poetry' published by Poem Atlas, London, UK. This poem depicts a koru or an unfurling native fern formed from the words ngāi tipu, referring to plant life (flora), and a tuna or native eel formed from the words ngāi kīrehe, referring to animal life (fauna). Hand-stenciled lettering. Black ink on paper.

text: Flora + Fauna Visual poetry featured in 'To feel the earth as one's skin: An anthology of Indigenous visual poetry' published by Poem Atlas, London, UK. This poem depicts a koru or an unfurling native fern formed from the words ngāi tipu, referring to plant life (flora), and a tuna or native eel formed from the words ngāi kīrehe, referring to animal life (fauna). Hand-stenciled lettering. Black ink on paper.

year: 2024-08-24