Hand-injured patients' experiences of cold sensitivity and the consequences and adaptation for daily life: a qualitative study.
METHODS
Qualitative descriptive.


BACKGROUND
Cold sensitivity is a common and persistent complaint after hand injuries.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences of severe cold sensitivity, its consequences for daily life, and the strategies for enduring and enabling occupation.


METHODS
Fifteen hand-injured patients with abnormal cold sensitivity were interviewed. The transcribed text was analyzed using manifest and latent content analysis. Experiences of triggering factors, symptoms, and relieving strategies were described.


RESULTS
The consequences and adaptation in daily life entailed a change in life roles, a struggle to maintain self-image and changed occupational performance and/or occupational patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach, including a screening of patients' occupational roles and patterns as well as psychosocial needs, to obtain the information needed to support patients with severe cold sensitivity to achieve a sense of control and self-mastery.


METHODS
not applicable.
Carlsson
Ingela K
IK
Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden. Electronic address: ingela.k.carlsson@hotmail.com.
Edberg
Anna-Karin
AK
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; The Vårdal Institute, Lund University, Sweden.
Wann-Hansson
Christine
C
Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012380:Role; D012649:Self Concept; D013548:Sweden