TITLE:
Case Report: A 10 Weeks Diversional Therapy as an Adjunct to Managing Chronic Pain Associated with Depression
AUTHORS:
Obiefuna George Umeaku, Ferguson Ayemere Ehimen, Chinenye Opogah
KEYWORDS:
Physiotherapy, Diversional Therapy, Chronic Pain, Depression
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Depression,
Vol.10 No.1,
February
19,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Pain is the most common
reason for physician consultation, it can interfere with the quality of life
and general functioning. The Global Burden of Disease study (2016) states that
pain and pain-related diseases are the leading cause of disability and disease
burden globally. Chronic pain over time can affect our mental health and
participation in daily activities viz our affecting general well-being.
Documented evidence has shown that simple medications are useful in 20% to 70%
of cases but psychological factors such as social support, hypnotic suggestion,
diversions such as excitement, or distraction can significantly affect pain’s
intensity. For holistic care, diversional therapy can be effective in managing
chronic pain, as it is a safe and cheap adjunct in managing chronic
conditions. Objective: To explore the effect of diversional therapy as an adjunct in managing chronic pain associated with depression. Methodology: This
study involves a case report of two patients been managed as a case of cervical spondylosis
with radiculopathy associated with depression. Both patients had diversional
therapy as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy. Activity log and chart were developed to monitor
the compliance and pain was monitored using the numeric rating scale. Result: Diversional therapy has shown to be a safe adjunct in managing chronic
pain associated with depression. Diversional
therapy was successfully used as an intervention in decreasing pains of the
patients, improving their functioning and participation in
activities of daily living. Conclusion/Recommendation: Diversional therapy was
found to be a safe adjunct for managing chronic pain-associated depression and
consequently reduced the side effect of prolonged medication use. Therefore,
diversional therapy should be explored in managing cervical spondylosis with
radiculopathy and depression.