Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a multifaceted pain condition that is seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual course of an initial trauma and/ or a surgery timeline. It can be difficult to initially identify CRPS because symptoms can range, and it is difficult to clearly understand it as some people develop CRPS while others with similar trauma do not. As the aging population increases, there will be an increase in the incidence of chronic conditions, including CRPS. The lack of physiological and neurological knowledge about CRPS, and mindset of therapists in an orthopedic outpatient setting towards treatment of pain, results in multiple unmet needs for the patients. Therefore, it is important for therapists to learn about this condition, how to effectively treat their patients living with it, and be able to provide the mindbody support to enhance their patient's functional well-being in their valued areas of occupations. This project strived to identify emerging, effective treatment interventions for rehabilitation therapists to better manage their patient's symptoms, while emphasizing them to recognize their patient's psychological struggles as part of their treatments. Search for evidence-based research was completed, to identify successful treatment cases and studies within the last 10 years. Searches in academic journals focused on physiological descriptions, body-spatial awareness, studies conducted that effectively treated CRPS, neurological changes, psychological effects, the quality of life (QOL) for those who are living with CRPS, and assessments for practitioners to apply and address their patient's QOL. An interview with an individual living with CRPS was also acquired during this project to provide supplemental material for insight into the struggles of this condition. A presentation of the successful findings was provided to rehabilitation therapists at EmergeOrtho in Morganton, NC, explaining interventions such as graded motor imagery, immersive virtual reality, Scrambler therapy, dry needling, Total Motion Release therapy, and non-invasive stellate ganglion blockade. The presentation also highlighted the mental aspects that are often overlooked and unrecognized in CRPS. Data was gathered through a pre-survey and post-survey to gauge how impactful the in-service was on the therapist's knowledge. The data demonstrated successful education to rehabilitative therapists on treatments for patients living with CRPS, positively changing the therapists' confidence, outlook, and practice overall. The methods of this project highlight how occupational therapists can influence the health of others by promoting education and advocacy to practitioners of multiple disciplines.

Publication Date

4-18-2022

Download

Share

COinS