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- Scott, Whitney, et al.
(author)
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A qualitative study of the experience and impact of neuropathic pain in people living with HIV
- 2020
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In: Pain. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0304-3959 .- 1872-6623. ; 161:5, s. 970-978
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Painful distal symmetrical polyneuropathy is common in HIV and is associated with reduced quality of life. Research has not explored the experience of neuropathic pain in people with HIV from a person-centred perspective. Therefore, a qualitative interview study was conducted to more deeply understand the experience and impact of neuropathic pain in this population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 people with HIV and peripheral neuropathic pain symptoms. Interviews explored the impact of pain and participants' pain management strategies. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes and 11 subthemes were identified. Theme one reflects the complex characterisation of neuropathic pain, including the perceived unusual nature of this pain and diagnostic uncertainty. Theme two centred on the interconnected impacts of pain on mood and functioning and includes how pain disrupts relationships and threatens social inclusion. Theme three reflects the struggle for pain relief, including participants' attempts to 'exhaust all options' and limited success in finding lasting relief. The final theme describes how pain management is complicated by living with HIV; this theme includes the influence of HIV stigma on pain communication and pain as an unwanted reminder of HIV. These data support the relevance of investigating and targeting psychosocial factors to manage neuropathic pain in HIV.
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2. |
- Scott, Whitney, et al.
(author)
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Acceptability of psychologically-based pain management and online delivery for people living with HIV and chronic neuropathic pain : a qualitative study
- 2021
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : Walter de Gruyter. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 21:2, s. 296-307
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Chronic neuropathic pain is common in people living with HIV. Psychological treatments can improve quality of life for people with chronic pain in general, and online delivery can increase access to these treatments. However, the acceptability of psychological treatment and online delivery have not been investigated in-depth in people living with HIV and chronic neuropathic pain. Therefore, a qualitative study was undertaken to explore views about a psychological treatment for pain management in this population and to investigate the acceptability of online treatment delivery.Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted and analysed using inductive thematic analysis, adopting a critical realist perspective. Twenty-six people living with HIV and chronic neuropathic pain completed semi-structured interviews. Their views about a psychological treatment for pain management and online delivery were explored in-depth.Results: Three themes and 12 subthemes were identified. Theme one represents a desire for a broader approach to pain management, including not wanting to take more pills and having multidimensional goals that were not just focussed on pain relief. Theme two includes barriers to online psychologically-based pain management, including concerns about using the Internet and confidentiality. Theme three describes treatment facilitators, including accessibility, therapist support, social connection, and experiencing success.Conclusions: A psychological treatment for chronic neuropathic pain management appears acceptable for people living with HIV. Therapist-supported online delivery of cognitive-behavioural pain management may be acceptable for people living with HIV given appropriate development of the treatment to address identified barriers to engagement. These data can inform developments to enhance engagement in online psychologically-informed pain management in people living with HIV and more broadly in remote delivery of psychological treatments.
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