Group Singing Has Multiple Benefits in the Context of Chronic Pain: An Exploratory Pilot Study.

AIMS: This paper reports findings of a pilot singing intervention to assist people living with chronic pain. METHODS: Pain Management Clinic outpatients participated in 10 weekly group singing sessions. Benefits of the intervention and its impact on participants' (N = 4) experiences of pain were explored qualitatively. RESULTS: Three main themes comprising over 20 separate codes indicated physical, psychological, and social dimensions associated with the intervention. People with chronic pain identify multiple benefits from participating in a group singing program. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that group singing in chronic pain settings has multiple benefits and may positively complement clinical outcomes, serving as an effective adjunct to conventional pain management care and nursing.

Unravelling the efficacy of antidepressants as analgesics.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a large and growing public health concern in Australia. Chronic pain is generally associated with physical, psychological, social and cultural risk factors. OBJECTIVE: Several antidepressants have been efficacious in the management of chronic pain. This article illustrates the use of antidepressants in major chronic neuropathic pain conditions. DISCUSSION: Knowledge of psychopharmacology is important in the management of chronic pain. The majority of patients with chronic pain have comorbid psychiatric conditions ranging from mild anxiety, depression and adjustment problems, to severe delusional and psychotic disorders. Depression and anxiety are known to enhance the perception of pain. Not all antidepressants have independent analgesic properties. There is now a convincing body of controlled data, as well as extensive longstanding clinical experience, supporting tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) as analgesics independently of their antidepressant actions.

GP pain management: what are the 'Ps' and 'As' of pain management?

BACKGROUND: Pain is one common reason for clinical encounters in primary care. The complex nature of chronic pain syndromes can make assessment and management daunting at times. OBJECTIVE: This article presents an easy scheme to help general practitioners efficiently assess, manage and review/follow up patients with chronic pain. DISCUSSION: The mnemonic presented for assessment is the '4Ps' (pain, other pathology/past medical history, performance/function and psychological/psychiatric status). For management, we can also use '4Ps' (physical, psychological, pharmacological and procedural) and for review there are the '6As' (activities, analgesia, adverse effects, aberrance behaviours, affects and adequate documentation).