RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and characteristics of somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. METHOD: The study took place in the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a rehabilitation hospital. Participants were interviewed using the World Health Organization Somatoform Disorders Schedule (WHO-SDS) version 2.0. Thirty new and 30 current attendees to the clinic were interviewed following referral by pain medicine specialists. RESULTS: Somatoform disorders were commonly co-morbid with chronic pain in the study population. Persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD) was the commonest somatoform disorder. There was a significant difference between women and men suffering from somatic autonomic dysfunction (SAD). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm that somatoform disorders are common co-morbid diagnoses in patients with chronic pain. Combining psychological treatments with medication, appropriate physical treatments and attending to social issues, may indeed improve the well-being of such patients.
Asunto(s)
Dolor Crónico/complicaciones , Trastornos Somatomorfos/complicaciones , Terapia por Acupuntura , Adolescente , Adulto , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/complicaciones , Dolor Crónico/epidemiología , Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Hipocondriasis/psicología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neurastenia/psicología , Tamaño de la Muestra , Caracteres Sexuales , Trastornos Somatomorfos/epidemiología , Australia Occidental , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
AIMS: Aims were to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as treatments for depression, and to assess beliefs, attitudes and treatment experience. METHOD: Participants received acupuncture or acupuncture and Chinese herbs combined for five weeks. Acupuncture was given for 30 min twice a week and herbs taken three times a day. A Beliefs and Attitudes questionnaire was administered at baseline and Treatment Experience questionnaire post treatment. Outcome measure was improvement in depressive symptoms at the end of treatment period. RESULTS: Nineteen participants completed 5 weeks of treatment, 12 in the acupuncture group and 7 in the combined group. Treatment significantly improved depressive symptoms, however, there were no differences between groups. At baseline, participants were positive about the perceived effectiveness of treatment, and treatment experiences were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture was effective in reducing depressive symptoms. However, herbs did not have an additional treatment effect. Beliefs and attitudes were positive.
Asunto(s)
Terapia por Acupuntura/métodos , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Trastorno Depresivo/terapia , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Australia , Terapia Combinada , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
There is well documented evidence for the increasing and widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of symptoms of both physical and mental disorders within Western populations. This paper aims to provide a focused review of recent literature on the use of one of these therapies, namely aromatherapy, in nursing and mental health care of people suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders. The evidence base for the efficacy of aromatherapy used to treat these conditions remains poor with a particular paucity of methodologically rigorous studies. However, there are some promising results which suggest that further research is warranted to investigate the potential of essential oils in treating anxiety, depression and symptoms of stress. The experimentally designed inhalation studies are of particular importance as both health professionals and consumers demand more accurate and scientifically based information about the effects and safety of essential oils.