Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-71). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-71). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2001. Graduate Programme in Women's Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-130). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ71644.

This thesis discusses the illness experience of people living with chronic pain resulting from Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The literature discusses various aspects of the experience of chronic pain, but there is little research reported specifically on the experience of living with TMD. Using analysis of sufferers' narratives, I discuss common explanatory models and coping strategies. I then present aspects of the bodily experience of TMD as seen in people with comorbid illnesses. The personal or mental aspects of TMD are explored, particularly in terms of fear, anxiety, and hope for the future. Lastly, the broader impacts of TMD are explored through sufferers' relationships with friends and family, and sufferers' ability to function in social contexts. It is concluded that TMD impacts many areas of sufferers' lives, and that the lived experience extends beyond diagnosis and treatment seeking to include the day to day management of TMD pain.

The use of prescription opioids for chronic non-cancer pain is complex. Opioids have the potential to alleviate discomfort and increase ones overall ability to function but, long term use also has potential physical and psychological impacts. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of adults who use prescription opioids to manage chronic non-cancer pain. Nine participants were recruited and interviewed. Participants were asked to describe how using prescription opioids had affected their lives. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically using Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Eight themes emerged from the data: the process of decision making, physical effects of using opioids, social consequences of using opioids, Guilt, fears, ambivalence, self-protection, and acceptance. Using opioids made pain more manageable and improved function for most of the participants. Nevertheless, using opioids was also associated with stigma, guilt, fears and ambivalence about their future as persons with chronic pain.

The possible involvement of spinal metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) were examined in animal models of persistent and chronic pain. In Study 1, it was shown that spinal administration of relatively selective group I mGluR antagonists, or a selective group III mGluR agonist, but not a non-selective mGluR antagonist, slightly, but significantly reduced nociceptive scores in the rat formalin test Also, spinal administration of a non-selective mGluR agonist, or a selective group I mGluR agonist, but not a relatively selective group II agonist, enhanced formalin-induced nociception. The pro-nociceptive effects of these agents were reversed by a non-selective mGluR antagonist or by an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. In Study 2, it was shown that intrathecal administration of two non-selective mGluR agonists or a selective group I mGluR agonist, but not a selective group II or group III mGluR agonist, produced spontaneous nociceptive behaviours, (SNBs) in rats. Also, the SNBs induced by these agents were reduced by a non-selective mGluR antagonist or by an NMDAR antagonist. In Study 3, it was shown that intrathecal administration of a selective group I mGluR agonist produced persistent mechanical allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia and heat hyperalgesia in rats. In Study 4, it was shown that early, but not late intrathecal administration of a relatively selective group I mGluR antagonist reduced nociceptive behaviours, in a model of neuropathic pain. In Study 5, it was shown that intrathecal administration of a selective group I mGluR antagonist reduced mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia, while a selective group II mGluR agonist and a selective group III mGluR agonist only reduced mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia, respectively, in the neuropathic pain model. Results from these studies first suggest that spinal group I mGluRs may be more critically involved in the development of chronic nociceptive behaviours, compared to persis

Background: Chronic pain is a major public health concern in Canada, with an estimated annual cost of $6 billion in direct health care expenses. At the same time, Canadians are participating in an increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Purpose: The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the relationship between the use of CAM and HRQOL for individuals living with chronic pain. Method: This study was a secondary data analysis of the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 3.1 Subsample 1 collected by Statistics Canada in 2005 (n=32,133). Results: The prevalence of CAM use for the Canadian population was 20.9% whereas for the chronic pain subset, it was 30.8%. CAM users had 1.48 times increased odds of reporting a high HRQOL than non-CAM users (CI=1.16-1.88). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that a modest but significant positive association exists between CAM use and a high HRQOL.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "December 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-72). Online version available on the World Wide Web. Library also has microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [2006]. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-199).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc. Psychology)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed May 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-100)