Coping with chronic complex regional pain syndrome: advice from patients for patients.
OBJECTIVE
To explore what advice people currently living with chronic complex regional pain syndrome would offer to another person coming to terms with a diagnosis of chronic complex regional pain syndrome.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with 21 adults (5 male) living with chronic complex regional pain syndrome who had completed a complex regional pain syndrome rehabilitation programme were conducted.


RESULTS
Effectively self-managing complex regional pain syndrome required individuals to play an active role. This could only be achieved if they felt they had sufficient control. Means of attaining control involved attaining a level of acceptance, becoming well-informed and accessing the right kind of support. The advice offered by patients for patients largely reflected that offered by healthcare professionals. One area where there was a conflict concerned sleep hygiene.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides support both for the argument put forward by Redman that without appropriate preparation and support, self-management is ineffective, and that by Skuladottir and Hallsdottir that the main challenge of the chronic pain trajectory is that of retaining a sense of control. The clinical implications of this are discussed.
Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK. psskr@bath.ac.uk
Karen
K
Rodham
Candida
C
McCabe
Melissa
M
Pilkington
Laurence
L
Regan
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy