The therapeutic mechanisms in a sickle specific pain management group
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The therapeutic mechanisms that are unique in a sickle specific pain management programme. A grounded theory.
IRAS ID
255918
Contact name
Ji Yeon Park
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 9 days
Research summary
This research aims to understand the therapeutic mechanisms in a sickle specific pain management programme and why it may be helpful for people living with sickle cell disorders (SCD).
In the UK, SCDs are the most common genetic disorders and SCD is most frequently found in British Black Africans, then British Black Caribbeans and British Indian populations (Sickle Cell Society, 2008). SCDs are inherited blood disorders that people experience due to haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying molecule) being partly or entirely affected in red blood cells (Edwards et al., 2005). The affected blood cells can distort into a sickle shape, which can lead to medical complications and sudden death. A predominant symptom of SCD is both acute and chronic pain.The Sickle Cell Society (2018) published the clinical care standards for adults with SCD in the UK. They recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to be offered for the management of sickle cell pain and include pain management programmes (PMPs) based on CBT. Within the current literature, further research is needed to find out what aspects of the multidisciplinary CBT-based PMPs that people with SCD find most meaningful in managing their pain or for their life more broadly if applicable, and that may inform psychologists providing PMPs for people with SCD.
The haematology service at St George’s University Hospital runs the only sickle specific PMP in the UK, and they receive referrals from across south London, whereas others with SCD may attend PMPs that include people with different long term health conditions. Therefore, we are interested in finding out in-depth why the sickle specific PMP at St George’s University Hospital may be helpful for people with SCD and to explore the therapeutic mechanisms that may occur in this unique group. These findings aim to further inform how PMPs are delivered for people with SCD.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0158
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion