Coping and Powerlessnessof Musculoskeletal Patients with Chronic Pain

만성통증이 있는 근골격계 환자의 대처와 무력감

Applying effective coping strategies and reducing powerlessness for the chronic pain adjustment of musculoskeletal patients were researched for basic data in the development of nursing intervention. The subjects were 99 musculoskeletal patients with chronic pain. Data was gathered with direct interview using a questionnaire. With the SAS tool. data were analyzed for percentage. Pearson correlation. t-test. and ANOVA according to characteristics of variables. Internal consistency(alpha) coefficients were .91 for coping scales and .71 for powerlessness scales. The results are as follows: 1. Pain duration was mainly 6 - 12 months(52. 5%). 2. Primary pain site was mainly lower limbs(58.6%) and pain severity was a moderate level. 3. The preference of coping strategies was decreased in the order named in resting. seeking social support. exercise or stretch. guarding. and asking for assistance. 4. The longer pain duration. the more the coping strategies of asking assistance used. This was stastically significant(F=3. 35. p<.05). 5. The group with the experience of hospital admission was more powerless than the group without that(F=3. as. p<.01). 6. Pain severity and powerlessness were significantly positively correlated(r=.444. p<.001). Coping strategy applying and powerlessness were significantly negatively correlated(r=-. 288. p<.01). In consequence. the nurse should playa role as the supporter of patient's maximal usage of his resources in pain relief. adjustment, and control. The nurses should also develop for the nursing intervention of physical therapy and educational programs.