Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent and difficult problems health care professionals encounter. Within the context of chronic pain, approximately 30% of patients treated in pain clinics have chronic facial pain, a problem predominately found in women. Patients with chronic facial pain vary in functional status from unaffected to incapacitated. Studies attempting to identify variables that cause patients with similar levels of pain to respond to vastly different ways are usually based on the perspective of the investigator's discipline. Considering the subjectivity of the pain experience, a more comprehensive measure which includes the patient's perspective of the disability caused by the pain, is warranted. Taking into account the lack of consistent physical outcome measures in patients with chronic facial pain, performance of societal roles, should be considered. A comprehensive, holistic approach which includes the individual's perception of the pain experience as well as other psychological variables will be used in this study in an attempt to present a more complete picture of the variables that affect functional status in patients with chronic facial pain. The goal of the proposed study is to expand the knowledge based utilized in assessing and treating patients with chronic facial pain.
Specific aims are to 1) describe the functional status of patients with chronic facial pain, and 2) identify variables that affect functional status in patients with chronic facial pain.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NR006756-03
Application #
2258540
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Project Start
1994-04-01
Project End
Budget Start
1994-04-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
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Vallerand, A H (1995) Gender differences in pain. Image J Nurs Sch 27:235-7