Background/Objectives:One-third of breast cancer (BC) survivors experience chronic treatment-related pain (CTP) that requires multimodal management strategies, which may include pain self-management behaviors (PSMBs). Most studies exploring PSMBs focus on patients with advanced cancer, who may differ from survivors in their pain management needs and access to resources. This mixed-methods study explored PSMBs of survivors of BC, referral sources, and goals for pain relief, and examined the relationship between PSMB engagement and pain intensity/interference.Methods:Survivors of BC who were six months post-treatment completed measures assessing their pain intensity/interference and PSMB engagement. Purposive sampling identified a subset of participants who completed interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Participants (n= 60) were 60 ± 10 years old. Worst Pain Intensity and Pain Interference were 3.93 ± 2.36 and 2.09 ± 2.11, respectively. Participants engaged in 7 ± 3.5 PSMBs. The most common were walking (76%) and distraction (76%). PSMBs described in the interviews (n= 10) were arm stretching and strengthening exercises, seeking specialized pain management services, and avoidance. Most PSMBs were self-directed or suggested by friends. All pain relief goals were to minimize pain interference. PSMB engagement was not associated with Worst, Least, or Average Pain Intensity (all rs≤ −0.2,p≥ 0.05) but was associated with Pain Interference (rs= 0.3,p≤ 0.01).Conclusions:The survivors of BC engaged in many PSMBs, with varying levels of effectiveness and a varying quality of supporting evidence. Most PSMBs were self-directed and some required intervention from healthcare providers or other people, while others required access to limited specialized pain management services.
背景/目的:三分之一的乳腺癌幸存者经历慢性治疗相关疼痛,这需要多模式管理策略,其中可能包括疼痛自我管理行为。大多数探讨疼痛自我管理行为的研究聚焦于晚期癌症患者,而这类患者在疼痛管理需求及资源获取方面可能与幸存者存在差异。本研究采用混合方法,探讨了乳腺癌幸存者的疼痛自我管理行为、转诊来源及疼痛缓解目标,并检验了疼痛自我管理行为参与度与疼痛强度/干扰之间的关系。 方法:完成治疗六个月后的乳腺癌幸存者接受了疼痛强度/干扰及疼痛自我管理行为参与度的评估。通过目的性抽样选取部分参与者完成访谈,并采用主题分析法对访谈内容进行分析。 结果:参与者(n=60)平均年龄为60±10岁。最严重疼痛强度和疼痛干扰评分分别为3.93±2.36和2.09±2.11。参与者平均实施7±3.5种疼痛自我管理行为,最常见的是步行(76%)和注意力分散法(76%)。访谈中(n=10)描述的疼痛自我管理行为包括手臂拉伸与强化训练、寻求专业疼痛管理服务以及回避行为。多数疼痛自我管理行为为自主实施或由朋友建议。所有疼痛缓解目标均旨在减轻疼痛干扰。疼痛自我管理行为参与度与最严重、最轻微或平均疼痛强度均无显著关联(所有rs≤-0.2,p≥0.05),但与疼痛干扰存在关联(rs=0.3,p≤0.01)。 结论:乳腺癌幸存者实施了多种疼痛自我管理行为,其效果水平及支持证据质量存在差异。多数行为为自主实施,部分需要医疗保健提供者或他人介入,而另一些则需要获取有限的专业疼痛管理服务。