Os recém-nascidos internados em unidades neonatais são expostos a inúmeros procedimentos potencialmente dolorosos durante sua hospitalização, e há desconhecimento de tal exposição e das práticas para o manejo da dor, na maioria dos serviços brasileiros de referência neonatal. Este estudo descritivo exploratório foi realizado em três etapas, com os objetivos de avaliar o conhecimento e as práticas dos profissionais de saúde que atuam em unidades neonatais de um hospital estadual do interior paulista quanto à avaliação e ao manejo da dor no recém-nascido (etapa 1), identificar os registros de avaliação da dor e de intervenções farmacológicas e não farmacológicas para o alívio da dor, feitos pelos profissionais em prontuários neonatais nesse hospital (etapa 2) e dimensionar a exposição dos neonatos a procedimentos de dor aguda, durante os primeiros sete dias de internação nessas unidades neonatais (etapa 3). Os 15 médicos, 8 enfermeiras e 34 auxiliares de enfermagem preencheram um questionário contendo dados relacionados ao conhecimento e às práticas de avaliação e manejo da dor neonatal. Na etapa 2, foi feito um estudo retrospectivo em fonte secundária, utilizando dados dos prontuários de 115 recém-nascidos internados nas unidades de cuidados intensivos e intermediários neonatais do hospital, no período de 12 meses. Na etapa 3, foi realizado registro à beira do leito de todos os eventos potencialmente dolorosos a que os recém-nascidos foram submetidos, durante a primeira semana de internação nessas unidades, no período de setembro a dezembro de 2011. Constatou-se que apenas uma auxiliar de enfermagem acredita que o neonato não sente dor. Todas as enfermeiras e a grande maioria dos médicos e auxiliares de enfermagem afirmaram que avaliam a dor no recém-nascido, tendo como parâmetros de avaliação mais frequentes o choro e a mímica facial; os parâmetros fisiológicos, especialmente o aumento da frequência cardíaca, foram os mais mencionados pelos médicos. Nenhum dos profissionais de saúde conhecia escalas para a avaliação de dor no recém-nascido. Entre as medidas não farmacológicas para o alívio da dor neonatal, citadas pelos profissionais de saúde, predominou o uso da glicose com ou sem a sucção não nutritiva, enquanto as medicações mais referidas como adequadas para o alívio da dor neonatal foram o fentanil e o paracetamol. Os registros sobre a avaliação e as intervenções para o alívio da dor neonatal constavam apenas nas prescrições médicas e nos diagnósticos, prescrições e anotações de enfermagem. Os recém-nascidos participantes da etapa 3 foram submetidos a 1.316 procedimentos potencialmente dolorosos, durante a primeira semana de internação; a média foi de 5,9 ± 4,7 procedimentos por dia, variando de 9,4 ± 6,2 no primeiro dia a 3,8 ± 3,2 procedimentos no sétimo dia de internação. Os procedimentos dolorosos mais frequentes foram as punções de calcâneo e venosa. Concluiu-se que há desconhecimento dos profissionais de saúde e sub-registro sobre a avaliação e o manejo adequados da dor aguda no recém- nascido e que os neonatos são submetidos a inúmeros procedimentos potencialmente dolorosos, durante sua hospitalização. Recomenda-se a capacitação profissional e a elaboração de protocolos de cuidado para a avaliação adequada e o tratamento efetivo da dor, nessas unidades neonatais. / The neonates hospitalized in neonates\' unities are exposed to a countless potentially painful procedures during hospitalization and there is no knowledge of this exposure and the practices to handling this pain in most cases of Brazilian neonates referring. This descriptive exploratory study was made in three stages, in purpose to evaluate the knowledge and the practices of the health professionals who work in neonates\' unities of a state hospital in the São Paulo interior that concerns to evaluation and handling of pain in neonates (stage 1), identify the evaluation records of pain and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for pain relief done by the professionals in neonates\' records in this hospital (stage 2) and dimensioning the exposure of the neonates to acute pain procedures during the first seven days of hospitalization in these unities (stage 3). The 15 physicians, 8 nurses and 34 nursing assistants filled a questionnaire related to knowledge and practices of evaluation and handling of neonate pain. On stage 2 was made a retrospective study in secondary sources using data from records of 115 hospitalized neonates in intermediary and intensive and care unities in 12 months. On stage 3 was made a record on the bedside of all the potentially painful events that the neonates underwent during the first week of hospitalization from September to December of 2011. When It comes to believing that the neonates don\'t feel any pain, just one nursing assistant believed that. All the nurses and the most part of physicians asserted that they evaluate the pain taking into consideration the weeping and facial expressions; the physiologic parameters, like heart rate increasing, were mentioned specially by the physicians. None of the professionals knew the scale of evaluation of a pain in neonates. Among the mentioned non- pharmacologic procedures, the glucose use with or without non- nutritive suction, while the most mentioned adequate medicine were fentanyl and paracetamol. In the records about evaluation and intervention for pain relief were present only medical prescriptions and in diagnosis, prescriptions and nursing notes. The participating neonates from stage 3 were submitted to 1,316 potentially painful procedures during the first week of hospitalization; the mean was 5.9 ± 4.7 procedures per day, varying from 9.4 ± 6.2 in the first day to 3.8 ± 3.2 procedures in the seventh day of hospitalization. The more frequent painful procedures were calcaneus and venous puncture. We concluded that there is ignorance by the health professionals and under-register about the evaluation and handling of acute pain in neonates and that the neonates are submitted to a countless potentially painful procedures during their hospitalization. We recommend the professional capacitation and elaboration of care protocols for the evaluation and effective treatment of pain in these neonates\' unities.

Adequate pain assessment is a pre-requisite for appropriate pain management. If pain remains untreated in critically ill young children, it can have dramatic short- and long-term consequences on their health and development. Apart from humanitarian reasons, the assessment of pain has been recognised in some parts of the world as the fifth vital sign and thus should be part of standard practice of pain management. The evaluation of pain in preverbal children is, nevertheless, challenging for health professionals, as they cannot rely on self-report when making their assessment. Observational pain instruments have been developed to facilitate this task, but none of these existing instruments are appropriate for the postoperative critically ill young child. The aim of this research was to provide a clinically valid pain instrument for health professionals to use in practice for the evaluation of the pain and the effectiveness of pain treatment in critically ill young children. This thesis presents research that was conducted in three phases to (a) describe pain, (b) develop, and (c) test the pain instrument. Conceptualisation of pain and psychometric theory informed the conceptual framework for this study. An observational design was used in Phase One of the study to define pain behaviour in critically ill infants. Correlational design was used in Phase Two and Three to determine the association between the newly developed pain scale and other pain assessment instruments. Phase One of the study was conducted in the paediatric intensive care units of two tertiary referral hospitals. Eight hundred and three recorded segments were generated from recordings of five critically ill infants, aged between 0 and 9 months, who had undergone major surgery. / Results indicated significant physiological and behavioural changes in response to postoperative pain and when postoperative pain was exacerbated by painful procedures. Using the pain indicators observed in Phase One, in Phase Two the Multidimensional Assessment Pain Scale (MAPS) was developed and tested for reliability and validity in 43 postoperative preverbal children from the same settings. Internal consistency and interrater reliability were moderate and good, respectively. Concurrent and convergent validity was good. In Phase Three, the MAPS' response to analgesics and clinical utility was demonstrated in a convenience sample of 19 postoperative critically ill children aged between 0 and 3 1 months of age at a tertiary referral hospital in Western Australia. Development of a pain instrument is a complex and lengthy process. This study presents the preliminary psychometric properties that support the validity and clinical utility of the Multidimensional Assessment Pain Scale. The MAPS is a promising tool for assessing postoperative pain in critically ill young children, and its clinical validity will be strengthened with further testing and evaluation.

Background: Patients in the emergency department are not always satisfied with the care received and the nursing care in the emergency department is sometimes described as instrumental and non-holistic. Structured quality improvement work and evidence-based practice are needed. Aim: The overall aim was to emphasize general patients in the emergency department to enhance the knowledge on how they perceive the quality of care and how the care could be improved through collaboration with the healthcare professionals. Methods: Four studies, with quantitative and qualitative designs, were conducted in a Swedish emergency department. Two hundred patients answered a questionnaire, after which 22 healthcare professionals comprising five focus groups were interviewed, and finally 200 patients were included in an intervention study. Results: The following five areas for improvement were identified: “information, respect and empathy”, “pain relief”, “nutrition”, “waiting time” and “general atmosphere”. Of these areas, the healthcare professionals prioritized “information, respect and empathy”, “waiting time” and “pain relief” to be highlighted in the quality improvement work. Although goals and suggestions for changes were stated, barriers to quality improvement at different levels in the health care were detected. The results of the intervention study showed that structured nursing assessment of the patients’ abdominal status and nurse-initiated intravenous opioid analgesic could increase frequency of analgesic and reduce time to analgesic in the emergency department. Patients perceived lower pain intensity and improved quality of care in pain management. Conclusions: An uncomplicated nursing intervention, related to pain management, based on the results from a patient questionnaire and interviews with healthcare professionals, can improve the care process and pain management in the emergency department, as well as patients’ perceptions of the quality of care in pain management. To succeed with continuous quality improvement work, barriers to change should be addressed.

Bakgrund: Smärta är en av de vanligaste orsakerna till att människor söker akut vård. Adekvat smärtbedömning är förutsättningen för god smärtbehandling. Syfte: Att belysa resultatet av sjuksköterskans användande av smärtskattningsinstrument för bedömning av akut smärta hos vuxna patienter på akutmottagning. Metod: Litteraturstudie med ett systematiskt arbetssätt. Resultat: Val av smärtskattningsinstrument: VAS och NRS är tillförlitliga instrument för att bedöma akut smärta. Professionell smärtbehandling: Användandet av smärtskattningsinstrument förkortade tiden till smärtbehandling samtidigt som fler blev smärtbehandlade. Upplevd kontra tolkad smärta: Sjuksköterskor underskattade ofta patienters akuta smärtintensitet. Kontinuerligt dokumenterade smärtanalyser: För att tillgodose att patienter får en så bra smärtbehandling som möjligt krävs att smärtanalyser utförs och dokumenteras vid inskrivning och kontinuerligt till utskrivning. Med regelbunden smärtskattning och dokumentation kan patienters smärtutveckling och eventuella behandlingsresultat följas. Slutsats: Förutsättningen för en adekvat smärtbehandling är att en smärtanalys utförts med ett smärtskattningsinstrument. Användandet av smärtskattningsinstrument leder till att patienter får adekvat smärtbehandling fortare. Smärtskattningsskalor är goda redskap för att bedöma smärta. En metod för att förbättra smärtbehandlingen kan vara att ha tydliga riktlinjer och rutiner som förespråkar användandet av smärtskattningsinstrument. / Background: Pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking emergency care. Adequate pain assessment is a prerequisite for good pain management. Aim: To illustrate the results of the nurse's use of pain assessment tools for the assessment of acute pain in adult patients in the emergency department. Method: Literature study with a systematic approach. Results: Choice of pain assessment tool: VAS and NRS are reliable tools for the measurement of acute pain. Professional pain management: The use of pain assessment tools shortened the time to pain relief, while more patients received analgesics. Experienced versus interpreted pain: Nurses often underestimated the patients' pain intensity. Continuously documented pain assessments: To assure that patients get the best pain management possible, documented pain assessments at enrollment and continuously to discharge are required. With regular pain assessment and documentation patients' pain development and possible treatment outcomes can be followed. Conclusion: The prerequisite for adequate pain management is a pain analysis performed with a pain assessment tool. The use of pain assessment tools leads to more patients getting adequate pain relief more rapidly. Pain rating scales are excellent tools to assess pain. A method to improve pain treatment may be to have policies and guidelines that advocate the use of pain rating scales.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of cessation of NSSI in acquired capability and distress tolerance. It was hypothesized that individuals with longer time in-between assessment and NSSI would show lower levels of acquired capability and higher levels distress tolerance regardless of lifetime frequency. These hypotheses were tested by surveying 375 undergraduate university students (64% female; mean age = 20.3) Participants completed packets with self-report measures that included: Inventory of Statements about Self- Injury, Acquired Capability of Suicide Scale, Distress Tolerance Scale, and Demographics. Results suggested that individuals with longer amount of time since last NSSI showed higher levels of acquired capability and distress tolerance when compared to individuals with less recent NSSI even when controlling for life time frequency.

Cancer är av de vanligaste sjukdomarna i västvärlden. Sjukdomen innebär för många smärta och minskad livskvalitet. För att bidra till ökad livskvalitet även hos personer med cancer som inte går att bota, har palliativ vård utvecklats. Denna vård syftar bland annat till att bedöma och utvärdera smärta och utifrån detta erbjuda behandling. Syftet med studien var att kartlägga hur patienter upplever cancersmärta, vilka faktorer som påverkar upplevelsen och hur patienterna upplever sjukvårdens insatser för att lindra smärtan. Ett ytterligare syfte var att undersöka om det fanns skillnader i ovanstående mellan patienter av olika ålder och kön. Studien var deskriptiv och kartlade upplevelser av smärta hos patienter med i huvudsak gastrointestinal cancer. Patienterna beskrev ”just nu” och den ”vanliga” smärtans intensitet, kvalitet, lokalisation och duration samt hur smärtan påverkades av fysisk aktivitet och vila. Patienterna fick också beskriva smärtbehandlingen och dialogen med vårdpersonalen. Instrumentet som användes för att bedöma smärta kallas Pain-O-Meter. Detta ger möjlighet att utvärdera både den sensoriska och affektiva komponenten av smärtan samt dess lokalisation och duration Resultaten visade att även patienter som tas omhand på en specialiserad smärtmottagning upplever smärta. Emellertid beskrev patienterna smärtan under en vanlig dag som mer intensiv än den smärta de upplevde vid mottagningsbesöket. Vi fann också skillnad i smärtupplevelse i vila och under aktivitet. Många patienter som upplevde smärta, hade dåliga kunskaper om smärtans negativa påverkan på livskvaliteten, och om olika möjligheter till smärtbehandling. Studien visar vikten av att sjukvårdspersonalen systematiskt analyserar patienternas smärta, och hur den varierar i olika situationer, för att kunna ge bästa möjliga palliation och smärtlindring, eftersom målet med den palliativa vården är att skapa bästa möjliga hälsorelaterade livskvalitet även för personer med obotlig cancer. / Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the West World. Cancer is also a disease that accounts for much pain and decreases in quality of life in the suffering individuals. The assessment of dimensions of pain is very important for the individual treatment in the palliative care to increase quality of life in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and intensity, quality, location and duration of the present or “just now” and the usual or “every-day” cancer pain. An other aim was to describe the differences of factors, even deference of age and gender. Pain experiences were assessed with Pain-O-Meter (POM): The POM combines the qualities of McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale into one tool, and is therefore useful for evaluation of different dimensions of the pain experience. POM also makes it possible to assess the location and duration of the pain. The result showed that all subjects experienced moderate to severe usual pain even though they were patients at a clinic specialized in palliative care for individuals suffering from cancer. The most interesting finding was that the patients in the assessment situation experienced their present pain to be more intensive then the usual or “every day” pain. These finding have implications for how to ask the patients about their pain. The results also indicated that the individuals experienced more intense pain during physical activities compared to the pain during rest. This will increase incidences of complications and decrease quality of life in this group of patients / <p>ISBN 91-7997-120-2</p>

Background: Little is known about the use of pain management evidence in Jordanian Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). Purpose: To assess the existence, content, and the factors influencing the use of pain management evidence in Jordanian PICUs. Methods: Three studies were guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework. 1. A scoping review of the literature to identify pain management interventions in the PICU; 2. A cross-sectional and multisite survey to determine the current pain management practices, and the availability and content of practice guidelines in Jordanian PICUs; 3. A correlational and multisite survey to examine the relationship between the contextual factors and nurses’ use of pain management research evidence in Jordanian PICUs. Results: 1. Twenty-seven studies were included in the scoping review. The majority of the studies focused mainly on pharmacological interventions (n= 21, 78%). Morphine and fentanyl were the most commonly used pharmacological agents for pain management in the PICUs. The use of non-pharmacological interventions was limited. 2. Four of six eligible PICUs participated in the cross-sectional study. All four units had written pain management guidelines. Fentanyl was the most commonly used pharmacological agent in two units. Intravenous infusions of opioids were not administered for patients on mechanical ventilation in two units. The use of non-pharmacological interventions was reported in one unit. 3. From the four participating units, 73 nurses completed the correlation study survey. Social capital predicted both the instrumental and conceptual research use for pain management by Jordanian PICU nurses. Structural and electronic resources predicted the instrumental research use for pain management by Jordanian PICU nurses. Conclusions: Pain management practices and supporting guidelines varied in Jordanian PICUs. Context influences Jordanian PICU nurses’ use of research for pain management. Not all of the pain management practices in Jordan are evidence informed. There is an opportunity for improvement in pain management in Jordanian PICUs.

This investigation utilized a novel, self-help, multi-element psychological program to manage chronic low back pain. A literature review indicated that this disorder was costly and prevalent, yet a large percentage of chronic low back pain patients did not respond to traditional treatment. Recent research has demonstrated that numerous psychological difficulties have been associated with this disorder, including depression and anxiety. It was hypothesized that these psychological concomitants of chronic low back pain maintain and promote further pain, as part of a vicious cycle. Self-help treatment attempted to break this tension-pain-anxiety cycle using various stress reduction, and cognitive and behavioral management strategies.

A dor lombar crônica inespecífica (DLCI) é uma condição prevalente que gera custos econômicos para os indivíduos e a sociedade. Há consenso na literatura que a DLCI é multifatorial e apesar de as diretrizes clínicas recomendarem que seu manejo seja baseado na orientação de tratamento biopsicossocial, a literatura demonstra que a orientação biomédica ainda é influente entre os profissionais da saúde. Porém, no Brasil, pouco se sabe sobre a orientação de tratamento adotada pelos fisioterapeutas no manejo da DLCI, principalmente no contexto do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e a avaliação das atitudes e crenças desses profissionais permite uma melhor compreensão da orientação de tratamento por eles adotada em sua prática bem como seu possível impacto no manejo da DLCI. Além disso, estudos demonstram que fatores como ambiente de trabalho, educação e idade dos profissionais de saúde são capazes de influenciar as suas crenças e atitudes no manejo da DLCI e conhecê-los pode contribuir para proposição de intervenções mais pontuais junto a esses profissionais. Entretanto, a influência desses fatores ainda não foi bem estabelecida. Assim, a presente dissertação de mestrado foi composta de dois artigos. O primeiro artigo revisou sistematicamente a associação de uma orientação de tratamento no manejo de pacientes com DLCI ao perfil demográfico e profissional de fisioterapeutas. Os resultados de nossa revisão sistemática demonstram moderada evidência sobre a influência do sexo feminino sobre a adoção de uma orientação biopsicossocial e do local de trabalho privado sobre a adoção de uma orientação de tratamento biomédica entre fisioterapeutas no manejo da DLCI. Concluímos, portanto, que fatores demográficos e profissionais são capazes de influenciar a prática profissional adotada pelos fisioterapeutas. O segundo artigo descreveu atitudes e crenças dos fisioterapeutas que atuam pelo SUS em Porto Alegre no manejo de usuários com DLCI e identificou a relação entre suas características demográficas e profissionais e as orientações de tratamento da DLCI. Este estudo foi de base populacional, transversal, sendo utilizado na coleta de um questionário demográfico e profissional e o questionário Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT). O segundo estudo contou com 49 fisioterapeutas e os resultados evidenciaram maior concordância com crenças e atitudes relacionadas à orientação biomédica, sendo a pontuação nessa escala 15,5% maior que na comportamental, e uma correlação regular e positiva entre o tempo de formação com a escala comportamental. Concluímos que, diferentemente do que propõem diretrizes internacionais sobre o manejo da DLCI, crenças e atitudes relacionadas à orientação de tratamento biomédica ainda são predominantes entre fisioterapeutas no manejo de usuários com DLCI do SUS em Porto Alegre. / Non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) is a prevalent condition that causes economical costs for individuals and society. There is a common agreement in its literature saying that NCLBP is multifactorial and although the clinical guidelines recommend managing it based on biopsychosocial orientation for treatment, literature shows that this biomedical orientation is still an influence among health professionals. In Brazil, however, little do we know about the orientation of treatment adopted by physiotherapists in managing NCLBP, mainly in Unified Health System context and the evaluation of attitudes and beliefs of these professionals allow a better understanding of treatment orientation by them in their practices as well as their possible impact in NCLBP management. Moreover, studies show that the work environment, education and age of the health professionals are able to influence their beliefs and attitudes in the management of NCLBP and that knowing them can contribute to propose punctual intervention to the health professionals. Nevertheless, the influence of these factors was not well established yet. Thus, the present master’s work was composed of two studies. The first study systematically reviewed the association of a treatment orientation in managing patients of non-specific chronic low back pain to the demographic and professional profile of physiotherapists. The results of our systematic review showed moderate evidence on the influence of women on the adoption of a biopsychosocial orientation for treatment and private workplace on the adoption of a biomedical orientation for treatment of physiotherapists in the management of NCLBP. Therefore, demographic and professional factors can influence professional practice adopted by physiotherapists in the management of NCLBP. The second study described attitudes and beliefs of the physical therapists who work at Unified Health System in Porto Alegre in the management of patients with NCLBP and identified the relationship between their demographic and professional characteristics and orientation for treatment of NCLBP. This study of inhabitants, cross-sectional and the data were collected through a demographic and professional questionnaire and a Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scales for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) questionnaire. The second study included 49 physiotherapists and the results showed a bigger agreement to beliefs and attitudes related to biomedical orientation, the score on this scale being 15,5% higher than in behavior and a regular and positive correlation of time training and behavior scale. We conclude that differently from what international guidelines establish about NCLBP management, beliefs and attitudes related to biomedical treatment orientations still are prevalent among physiotherapists in managing patients of NCLBP from Unified Health System in Porto Alegre.

abstract: Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a debilitating chronic disease of the lower extremities particularly affecting older adults and diabetics. It results in reduction of the blood flow to peripheral tissue and sometimes causing tissue damage such that PVD patients suffer from pain in the lower legs, thigh and buttocks after activities. Electrical neurostimulation based on the "Gate Theory of Pain" is a known to way to reduce pain but current devices to do this are bulky and not well suited to implantation in peripheral tissues. There is also an increased risk associated with surgery which limits the use of these devices. This research has designed and constructed wireless ultrasound powered microstimulators that are much smaller and injectable and so involve less implantation trauma. These devices are small enough to fit through an 18 gauge syringe needle increasing their potential for clinical use. These piezoelectric microdevices convert mechanical energy into electrical energy that then is used to block pain. The design and performance of these miniaturized devices was modeled by computer while constructed devices were evaluated in animal experiments. The devices are capable of producing 500ms pulses with an intensity of 2 mA into a 2 kilo-ohms load. Using the rat as an animal model, a series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the in-vivo performance of the devices. / Dissertation/Thesis / Muscle Twitching Excited by the Implanted Ultrasound Powered Device / Rat Hindlimb Withdraw Reflex / Masters Thesis Bioengineering 2014