{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Choosing non-pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: a qualitative study.
{Author}: Crul TC;Hacking EC;Visser-Meily JMA;Post MWM;Stolwijk-Swüste JM;
{Journal}: Disabil Rehabil
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 5
{Factor}: 2.439
{DOI}: 10.1080/09638288.2024.2362402
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The aims of this study were to explore (1) the considerations of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in choosing to use non-pharmacological treatments (N-PTs) for neuropathic pain (NP), (2) which factors influence their decision and who is involved in this choice.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Eleven individuals with SCI and NP were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, transcripts were analysed through thematic coding, following an inductive content analysis approach.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A journey towards finding and choosing N-PTs emerged. Key phases in this journey were: motives, strategy and practical considerations. Pain and its impact on their life led participants to consider N-PTs. Motives were participants' negative attitudes towards regular medication, willingness to try everything and disappointment and frustration with the guidance from their health care provider (HCP). The search strategies often involved third parties and the internet. This led them to choose a specific N-PT. The journey was influenced by one's attitude, previous personal experience, experience of HCPs, financial considerations, availability and convenience of the treatment.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The journey individuals with SCI and NP go through to find N-PTs to manage pain is difficult and often lonely. Findings highlight the importance of HCPs accompanying people with SCI in finding N-PTs.<BR>People with spinal cord injury (SCI) often search for non-pharmacological treatments to treat their neuropathic pain.As people with SCI feel alone in their search, health care providers need to accompany them in seeking non-pharmacological treatments to try and alleviate their neuropathic pain.Influencing factors on this search are one’s attitude, previous personal experience, experience of the health care provider, financial considerations, availability and convenience of the treatment.Awareness on these influencing factors is important to accompany people with SCI in their search.