Page 106 - Psychology of Wounds and Wound Care in Clinical Practice ( PDFDrive )

80 Chapter 3. Stress

football game). Distraction can also assist in reducing pain by
asking the patient to do something that will require concen-
tration (such as doing multiplications). As their concentration
is directed towards the multiplication the pain they perceive
during treatment will be lessened (Upton 2011a , b ).

Conclusion

The studies above add to an expanding evidence base support-
ing the link between stress, pain and delayed wound healing.
The discovery that stress and pain experienced during wound
healing can negatively impact upon the total healing period
has significant implications for clinical practice. It is essential
that clinicians assess such stress and pain in order to manage
it appropriately, subsequently, resulting in improved wound
repair. Additionally, such assessments need to be based upon
the needs of individual patients in order to offer the more
effective treatment and mode of care. Measurements need to
include both psychological and physiological measures; with
clinicians monitoring physiological processes whilst also com-
municating with patients, acknowledging their feedback on
perceived stress. In this way, treatments can be modified and
appropriate stress-management processes put in place.

References

Adams N, Poole H, Richardson C. Psychological approaches to
chronic pain management. J Clin Nurs. 2006;15:290–300.
Broadbent E, Petrie KJ, Alley PG, et al. Psychological stress impairs
early wound repair following surgery. Psychosom Med. 2003;65:
865–9.
Cannon WB. The wisdom of the body. New York: Norton; 1932.
Cohen S, Hoberman H. Positive events and social supports as buffers
of life change stress. J Appl Soc Psychol. 1983;13:99–125.
Cohen S, Karmarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of per-
ceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983;24:385–96.