Non-Pharmacological Intervention(s), Pain, and Comfort in Elder Residents with Persistent Pain

• Main Author: Shropshire, Michele D
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Nursing
• ISBN: 9780355668230; 0355668238

This dissertation consists of three manuscripts submitted for publication. The first manuscript is an integrative review of the literature evaluating the current state of the science on non-pharmacological intervention(s) for pain that are currently utilized in elders who reside in long-term care facilities. Evidence regarding non-pharmacological intervention(s) for pain in elders in long-term care remains inadequate and further research is needed. The second manuscript is comprised of challenges successes of assisted and supportive living facilities recruitment encountered. Significant, but not insurmountable barriers are identified and discussed. Facility recruitment insights include productive encounters with gatekeepers, research team persistence, and establishing trust with executive administration and healthcare personnel. The third manuscript is the results of a descriptive comparative pilot study to investigate if there is a significant difference in pain and/or comfort between elder residents with persistent pain using non-pharmacological intervention(s) and those not using non-pharmacological intervention(s). Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort is theoretical framework guiding this study which incorporates four dimensions: Physical comfort, psychospiritual comfort, environmental comfort, and sociocultural comfort. Eighty-two elder residents from eleven assisted/supportive.