This survey research was to investigate pain experience and pain management of patients with chronic non-cancer pain from musculoskeletal disorders. One hundred adult subjects were purposively selected from orthopedic and physio-medical rehabilitation clinics at one hospital in Nakhon-Sri-Thammarat province. Three instruments were included: Demographic DataQuestionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Barriers and Facilitating Factors on Pain Relief Management Questionnaire.
The most common diagnosis was back pain (60%). The results revealed that pain levels in the previous week varied from 2.89 to 6.27 (range=0-10). The qualities of pain subjects reported were nociceptive pain (60%). Factors maximizing pain intensity reported by 80% of the subjects were inappropriate postures and positions, whereas 72% of them reported that the factor reducing pain intensity was lying down. Most subjects reported pain impact on the behavioral dimension. Non-pharmacological pain management was used for managing mild to severe pain, whereas pharmacological pain management was used for managing moderate to severe pain. Factors contributing to the selection of pain relief practices were being able to do by oneself, ease, and successful experience. Reasons for stopping some methods were doctor's recommendation, perceived lack of safety and fear of side effects, and inability to relieve pain.
The findings of this study provide health care providers, especially nurses, with an understanding of the nature of chronic non-cancer pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders and their pain relief practices.