Publication of the week: Dr Jasmine Hearn

Hearn, J H, Finlay, K A, Fine, P A, & Cotter, I. Neuropathic pain in a rehabilitation setting after spinal cord injury: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of inpatients’ experiences. Spinal Cord Series and Cases (2017), 3(1), 17083. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-017-0032-9

A large proportion of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience pain after injury, often described as burning and electricity. This type of pain is often poorly managed and is not well understood, particularly in the early stages of rehabilitation. This study used qualitative methodology to interview and analyse experiences of people living with pain after SCI.

Key findings:

• Many people felt safe in hospital and were confident that their pain could be managed by rehabilitation staff who were extremely responsive to their needs.
• Levels of self-reported adherence to pain medication were variable; participants often expressed concerns regarding side-effects.
• Participants were concerned regarding whether pain would persist into the future, with many denying that pain could persist.

The study demonstrates importance for rehabilitation settings by identifying key issues for people with SCI which could be targeted to aid pain management and adjustment.

Read more on the publisher’s website: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41394-017-0032-9

Dr Jasmine Hearn teaches Psychology at The University of Buckingham Medical School. Her research interests include chronic pain, particularly after spinal cord injury, and the applications of mindfulness for those with chronic pain, as well as for the well-being of students.

Dr Katherine Finlay, Dr Philip Fine, and Dr Imogen Cotter were involved in the supervision of this study as part of Jasmine’s PhD.