title: Hand-injured patients' experiences of cold sensitivity and the consequences and adaptation for daily life: a qualitative study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden. Electronic address: ingela.k.carlsson@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ingela K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; The Vårdal Institute, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Karin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Edberg
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wann-Hansson
mesh_terms: 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