Using IPA to understand how one individual experienced and managed chronic neck pain
Location
3034
Format Type
Event
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
January 2018
End Date
January 2018
Abstract
This presentation discusses how and why Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to understand how one individual experienced and managed chronic neck pain including both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Convenience sampling identified Ms. P, an individual with a 10-year history of chronic pain. The research questions were: How does one individual with chronic neck pain describe their experience living with neck pain? and How does one individual with chronic neck pain manage their pain? After reading the transcribed interview several times, a table was constructed. The transcribed interview was inserted in the middle column. Coding line-by-line, interesting or significant statements were noted in the left column and emerging themes in the right column. Three super-ordinate themes emerged: pain pervades everything, finding relief, and recovery. Findings suggest that living with chronic pain is framed by both the experience of severe pain and the search for a cure. Fear, panic, and despair accompany ongoing pain. Initially, the participant’s physician prescribed medications including narcotics, described by Ms. P as a slippery slope. In desperation, Ms. P sought alternative treatments. This study of a single subject’s journey from “popping pills” to recovery compares in detail, acupuncture, ultrasound, massage, chiropractic, and laser alternative therapies. This study goes beyond other studies of alternative treatments for chronic pain by investigating not only why individuals with chronic pain seek alternative treatments, but also how these individuals select from the multitude of alternative treatments available.
Using IPA to understand how one individual experienced and managed chronic neck pain
3034
This presentation discusses how and why Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to understand how one individual experienced and managed chronic neck pain including both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. Convenience sampling identified Ms. P, an individual with a 10-year history of chronic pain. The research questions were: How does one individual with chronic neck pain describe their experience living with neck pain? and How does one individual with chronic neck pain manage their pain? After reading the transcribed interview several times, a table was constructed. The transcribed interview was inserted in the middle column. Coding line-by-line, interesting or significant statements were noted in the left column and emerging themes in the right column. Three super-ordinate themes emerged: pain pervades everything, finding relief, and recovery. Findings suggest that living with chronic pain is framed by both the experience of severe pain and the search for a cure. Fear, panic, and despair accompany ongoing pain. Initially, the participant’s physician prescribed medications including narcotics, described by Ms. P as a slippery slope. In desperation, Ms. P sought alternative treatments. This study of a single subject’s journey from “popping pills” to recovery compares in detail, acupuncture, ultrasound, massage, chiropractic, and laser alternative therapies. This study goes beyond other studies of alternative treatments for chronic pain by investigating not only why individuals with chronic pain seek alternative treatments, but also how these individuals select from the multitude of alternative treatments available.
Comments
Breakout Session A