A Clinical Consult to Explain the Biofeedback Process

CLINICAL ISSUE

Psychophysiological assessments and biofeedback-based interventions for chronic for chronic pain can be highly effective. The purpose of this clinical consultation was to provide an overview of the psychophysiological assessment process and present a primer on biofeedback for chronic pain. The biofeedback process was presented by a biofeedback content expert, with photos and diagrams.

PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS

Nurses advocate for non-pharmacological pain interventions. However, biofeedback is a practice that has been overlooked and underutilized in nursing. This clinical consultation is meant to educate clinical nurses on psychophysiological assessment and biofeedback for chronic pain.

Pain Support for Adults with a Diabetes-Related Lower Limb Amputation: an Empirical Phenomenology Study

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain after lower extremity amputation surgery has been reported in up to 80% of patients. Amputations are among the most debilitating chronic complication of diabetes with a variety of consequences including depression, inability to perform daily activities, and change in quality of life.

AIMS

This study sought to understand the lived experience of chronic pain support among those who have undergone a diabetes-related lower limb amputation.

METHOD

Researchers used a qualitative empirical phenomenology design. Private, semistructured interviews were conducted on a purposive sample (N = 11). Codes were identified for each participant separately and then across participants for common themes.

RESULTS

Three major themes emerged from the research: (1) Phantom pain is nontreatable pain; (2) support systems were nonempathetic; and (3) participants experienced identification of a new normal. Participants did not understand that neuropathic (phantom) pain was part of the total pain experience. Further, they felt that there was no help from family or providers for alleviation of this pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Phantom pain was identified as something the participants had to tolerate when it occurred. They did not feel that family or providers understood their pain. Further, they wanted a means of controlling their pain using nonpharmacologic therapies.