| Objective: With qualitative research method, we try to find theperception of the elderly to their own chronic pain, understand the influence ofthe pain to their daily life, and explore the coping styles of the elders.Combined the quantitative study, to investigate the current situation and painpatterns of community elders with chronic pain, and realize its related factorsof pain. Through the research, we purpose of ease the elderly trouble with painand improve the quality of life with community elders.Methods: We use a complex research method which qualitative studycombined with quantitative study. One hundred and ten community olderpersons were selected as population by this cross-sectional in the quantitativestudy. The convenience samplings were investigated by self-designedquestionnaire of the demographic situation of elders and brief pain inventory(BPI).The qualitative study was a phenomenological research. A purposivesampling was used. Ten elders with chronic pain were interviewed throughsemi-structural interviews to collected date. Colaizzi’s phenomenologicalapproach was utilized to analyze the data of the experience.Results:The results of quantitative study:1The pain patterns of community elders with chronic painOf the110elders, pain sites for an average of (2.09±1.028) places, withthe most up to5places. Forty percent of subjects had pain that more than2places. Low back (48.20%), neck (30.00%) and lower limbs (29.10%) werethe pain sites often, and the pain nature of various. For many subjects, themost common causes of chronic pain were osteoarthritis, osteoporosis,neurodynia, operative wound or trauma. The average pain intensity and painintensity right now ranged from mild (VAS<4) to moderate (VAS4-6).Worst pain intensity fell in moderate (VAS4-6).2Its related factors among community elders with chronic painGender, religious belief, financial situation, the numbers of chronicdiseases and self-conscious health status were the related factors of elderlypeople with chronic pain. Elder, female, having religious belief, poor financialsituation, more chronic diseases and poor health status were high risk groupsof chronic pain intensity. According to multiple regression analysis, there are4factors which influence the score, in a descending manner as follows: gender,religious belief, self-conscious health status and financial situation.3The impact of chronic pain on daily life among community eldersOf the110elderly, the impact of chronic pain on total daily life was notobvious(mean=19.52±10.103).Among seven dimensions of daily life, generalactivity of daily life, mood and walking ability were affected most, enjoymentof life and relationship with others were affected least.4Its related factors with the impact of chronic pain on total daily life amongcommunity eldersThe worst pain intensity, average pain intensity, pain intensity right now,the numbers of pain sites and pain nature were the related factors with theimpact of chronic pain on daily life. The stronger with their worst painintensity, average pain intensity and pain intensity right now, the more impacton total daily life with chronic pain elders. Also were the more sites of painand the sharp pain. According to multiple regression analysis, there are4factors which influence the score, in a descending manner as follows: theworst pain intensity, pain intensity right now, numbers of pain sites and thenature of pain.The results of qualitative study:The results of this study showed three aspects of chronic pain:perceptions of elders to chronic pain, the impact of chronic pain on daily life,coping styles of elders to chronic pain.1Perceptions of elders to chronic pain1.1Theme1—Attribution of pain: Pain as an inevitable effect of the normal aging process; a consequent of overworking; complications of disease1.2Theme2—Experience of pain: Pain is unable to be understood by others;puissant prop up and endure, lost of control1.3Theme3—Final result of pain: Uncertainly feeling; follow the arrangementof fate2The impact of chronic pain on daily life2.1Theme1—Daily life dimension: Be limited of daily activities; impairedwalking; housekeeping, sleep disorder2.2Theme2—Psychological dimension: Negative emotions-anxiety;depressed2.3Theme3—Social dimension: Social isolation3Coping styles of elders to chronic pain3.1Theme1—Behavioral coping：3.1.1Using painkillers3.1.2Health and physical therapy:“having a rest”;“message and visiting aphysician”;“hot compress therapy”3.1.3Coping with empirical:“ointment and patches”;“rubbing along the bodywith palm or fist”;“folk prescription self-restrainedly”3.2Theme2—cognitive coping3.2.1Religious support3.2.2Coping with emotion:“just hope for the best”;“blow off the steam”;“ignoring the pain”Conclusion:At present, the chronic pain was an important problem for the communityelders, and their related factors were complicated. Chronic pain was alreadybecome the main reason that which impact on daily life and lower the qualityof life with elders.With the quantitative study, we found that pain could limit daily activityof elders and lead to negative emotion, interfere with physical and socialfunctions. To understand and explore the influences and changes of chronicpain to daily life, we should aware of that chronic pain could not be viewed asisolated problem. So we should strengthen the assessment of elderly at the high risk of chronic pain; actively prevent chronic pain development; ease theelderly trouble with pain.With the qualitative study, we know deeply how the elders in communityset aside the pain of themselves; how the pain impact on daily life and how theelders coping their pain. Chronic pain affects many aspects of life, and thusresulted in negative feelings. Through the understanding of pain perceptionsand coping styles, it will help health-care workers to provide targeted andcorrect guidance, and reduce the unnecessary injury and discomfort caused bychronic pain of elders in community. |
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