Abstract
Fifteen patients with a history of painful episodes of sickle cell disease were given training in progressive relaxation, thermal biofeedback, cognitive strategies, and self-hypnosis to help them develop self-management skills to relieve pain. Results show a 38.5% reduction in the number of emergency room visits, a 31% reduction in the number of hospitalizations, and a 50% reduction in the inpatient stay during the 6 months since the beginning of therapy compared to 6 months prior to therapy. Analgesic intake was reduced by 29% for those who were using it regularly. This is a preliminary study, and the results are considered only as suggestive of the potential use of biofeedback therapy and behavioral management in alleviating painful episodes in sickle cell disease.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Addison, R. A., Harasimiew, S. J., & Thomas, J. E. (1979).Chronic pain treatment outcome analysis aided by computerised medical information. Paper presented at the 56th Annual Session, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Erickson, M. H., & Rossi, E. L. (1979).Hypnotherapy. New York: Irvington.
Fordyce, W. E. (1974).Behavioral methods for chronic pain and illness. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby.
Hilgard, E. R., & Hilgard, J. (1975).Hypnosis in the relief of pain. Los Altos, California: Kaufmann.
Koshy, M. (1977).The role of the emergency room in the care of sickle cell disease patients. Paper presented at the National Sickle Cell Disease Conference, New Orleans.
Meichenbaum, D. (1977).Cognitive behavior modification: An integrative approach. New York: Plenum.
Powars, D. R. (1975). Natural history of sickle cell disease: The first ten years.Seminars in Hematology, 12 267–285.
Sternbach, R. A. (1974).Pain patients: Traits and treatment. New York: Academic Press.
Thomas, J. E. (1978).Therapeutic relaxation: Tense-release technique. Chicago: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Turk, D. C. (1978). Applications of coping skills training to the treatment of pain. In C. D. Spielberger & I. G. Sarason (Eds.),Stress and anxiety (Vol. 5). New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Zelzer, L. K., Dash, J., & Holland, J. P. (1979). Hypnotically-induced pain control in sickle cell anemia.Pediatrics, 64(4), 533–536.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thomas, J.E., Koshy, M., Patterson, L. et al. Management of pain in sickle cell disease using biofeedback therapy: A preliminary study. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 9, 413–420 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01000558
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01000558