A proposal to review the effect of progressive muscle relaxation Essay

A proposal to review the effect of progressive muscle relaxation techniques on chronic pain in cancer patients - Essay Example A randomised controlled trial 17 3. Chapter Three: Preliminary Literature Review 19 3.1 Progressive Muscle Relaxation 19 3.1.1Complete sequences of progressive muscle relaxation 20 3.2 Synthesis 23 Bibliography 26 Appendixes 29 Appendix 1 Time Table 29 Appendix 2 30 Abstract The proposed research for this study will discuss the progressive muscle relaxation and its techniques along with the effect that it has on chronic pain in patients with cancer. The techniques discussed can have a significant impact on reducing and relaxing chronic pain in patients with cancer. The research for this study will be conducted through an examination of secondary research as relevant literature provides valuable information and knowledge about PMR and its impact on chronic pain. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction Pain is the eternal companion of mankind, with medical practitioners spending a great deal of their time assessing and finding ways to alleviate pain. Chronic pain is extremely common i n patients with cancer, especially those who are found in stage IV of the disease. Pain can be divided into four types of intensity: weak, moderate, sever, and very severe. All analgesic therapy in cancer patients is based on the use of non-narcotic, narcotic, and support (adjuvant) drugs, the use of which forms the basis of a three-step approach to pain management which was developed and proposed by the world health organization. It is estimated that one third of all cancer patients suffer from moderate to severe pain related to their cancer and over 50% of patients diagnosed with cancer suffer from some form of pain. The most common types of pain related to cancer are due to the cancer tumor and the treatment. Unlike those who suffer from chronic pain that is unrelated to cancer, those with cancer experience pain in more than on area; the pain can be both acute and chronic and often varies in presentation. Pain is associated with the consequences of changes in psychosocial relatio nships, decreased quality of life, and increased rates of depression and anxiety (Melzack 2005, p. 971-979). Unfortunately, patients and providers often find that pharmacologic therapy does not completely control pain associated with cancer. Pharmacologic management of pain often comes with side effects such as nausea, constipation, drowsiness, pruritus, sedation, and delirium. Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies, including mind-body techniques, are often sought out. Mind-body therapies are recommended in addition to pharmacological approaches for cancer patients experiencing pain. 1.2 Background/Justification Cancer pain is a complex phenomenon that often occurs due to tumor progression and related pathology, surgery or other invasive procedures. Toxicities of chemotherapy and radiation can significantly contribute to that pain as well as infection which all lead to a multidimensional model of cancer pain that can include the five components of: (1) physiologic (o rganize etiology of the pain); (2) sensory (intensity, location, quality); (3) affective (depression and anxiety); (4) cognitive (the meaning attached to the pain); and (5) behavioral (activity level, analgesic

English - reading and writing assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English - reading and writing assignment - Essay Example Reading it helps us grow intellectually and emotionally. If we are learning a language, reading helps us learn new words and discover different ways of using them. Reading literature also expands our horizons, as it brings us to different places, cultures, and time, and introduces us to diverse characters that we would have not known within our own lifetime. Literature enables us to respond to human struggles and dreams. At the same time, reading literature also helps us learn more about ourselves, our culture, and the society we live in. Roberts underscores that our interpretations of literature reveal our innermost desires, values, and goals too. It also makes us more aware of our society and the ills and good in it. Indeed, literature â€Å"makes us human† (2). Writing about literature entails an active engagement with the text. It requires following the work and identifying meaningful details and implications. We use our own knowledge and experience to check the authenticity and meaning of the plot and dialogues. Writing down notes is one way of responding to the text while reading it. These notes can be the spring of our thesis and supporting arguments. Writing about literature basically means explaining what the text means through a focused argument. The analysis shows the reader’s thought process, as well as how he/she plans to describe and defend his/her ideas and arguments. Writing requires having an argumentative position and supporting details from the text and sometimes, even other sources, to effectively show that all our points lead to our thesis. In a sample essay about â€Å"The Necklace,† Roberts explains how de Maupassant uses setting to describe and explain Mathilde’s character. The thesis stresses that Mathilde grows as a person and this growth can be seen through descriptions of her apartment, dreams about elegant rooms in a mansion, and her attic flat. Three topic sentences are presented, which support the