In this chapter, we review the current theoretical and empirical status of the psychology of reli... more In this chapter, we review the current theoretical and empirical status of the psychology of religion and coping, the practical interventions that have grown out of this body of work, and future directions for research and practice
Wegner&am... more Wegner&…
ABSTRACT Pain is a multi-dimensional, complex experience. It is a struggle to adequately identify... more ABSTRACT Pain is a multi-dimensional, complex experience. It is a struggle to adequately identify and meet the needs of patients experiencing pain in a bio-psycho-social–spiritual context. In this chapter we explore the relationship between the spiritual dimensions of suffering and the experience of physical pain. By intertwining research with clinical case studies, the chapter reviews definitions, the relationship between spiritual anguish and physical pain, and finally interdisciplinary and evidence-based approaches to alleviating suffering.
Objective/Background:There are bidirectional links between sleep quality and pain, with recent re... more Objective/Background:There are bidirectional links between sleep quality and pain, with recent research suggesting that sleep impairment more strongly predicts future pain than vice versa. Relatively few studies have examined sleep quality in relationship to acute pain among chronic pain patients. The purpose of the current study is to investigate relationships among subjective sleep quality and behavioral and physiological responses to a cold pressor pain task (CPT) in chronic pain patients.Patients/Methods:Participants were 120 individuals with chronic pain. Participants completed a series of questionnaires followed by the CPT. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Physiological baseline state and stress response were assessed before and during the CPT using heart rate (HR), electromyography frontalis (EMGF), galvanic skin response conductance (GSR), and skin temperature (oC). Multiple linear regressions adjusting for opioid usage were performed.Results:After adjusting for opioid use, PSQI global score explained significant variance in pain tolerance (B=−5.37, β=−.23, p=.01), baseline GSR (B=−.66, β=−.24, p=.01), and HR change from baseline to CPT (B=1.33, β=.25, p=.01).Conclusions:Worse perceived sleep quality was associated with lower pain tolerance, lower baseline GSR conductance, and greater HR change from baseline to CPT. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for opioid usage and psychological dimensions of pain in the relationship between sleep and acute pain response in chronic pain populations.
Migraines result in a significant amount of pain and reduce the quality of life for more than 13 ... more Migraines result in a significant amount of pain and reduce the quality of life for more than 13 percent of the U.S. population. 90 They are related to increases in emotional and physiological stress. Reducing stress may, therefore, lead to fewer headaches. Dr. Wachholtz and her colleagues designed a specific SM program involving meditation to test the hypothesis that decreased reactivity to stressors might reduce the number and intensity of migraines. The study cohort included 88 patients with migraine who had never practiced meditation. Of these patients, 80.7 percent were female, matching the epidemiological profile of migraine. Participants were randomized to the meditation or education control groups. Treatment included 4 weekly 90-minute group sessions with meditation training and meditation practice for 20 minutes per day. Education controls were given information on migraine demographics and treatment options. Anxiety levels were assessed by the State Anxiety Inventory and galvanic skin response; migraines were assessed in a headache journal. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-trial period, and 4 weeks post-trial period. Meditation significantly reduced the number of headaches by 50 percent. This effect was maintained 4 weeks post trial. Meditation reduced emotional and physiological stress reactivity by 10 percent and 40 percent, respectively, and was sustained during the post-trial period. Patients in the education control group actually experienced a transitory increase in state anxiety at the immediate post-trial evaluation, possibly because of focusing on their disability during the intervention. These results indicate that meditation is a useful and cost-effective tool in the management of chronic migraine pain. Interesting avenues of future research include examining different kinds of meditation, whether there are gender differences, and how long meditation-mediated outcomes can be sustained
In this chapter, we review the current theoretical and empirical status of the psychology of reli... more In this chapter, we review the current theoretical and empirical status of the psychology of religion and coping, the practical interventions that have grown out of this body of work, and future directions for research and practice
Wegner&am... more Wegner&…
ABSTRACT Pain is a multi-dimensional, complex experience. It is a struggle to adequately identify... more ABSTRACT Pain is a multi-dimensional, complex experience. It is a struggle to adequately identify and meet the needs of patients experiencing pain in a bio-psycho-social–spiritual context. In this chapter we explore the relationship between the spiritual dimensions of suffering and the experience of physical pain. By intertwining research with clinical case studies, the chapter reviews definitions, the relationship between spiritual anguish and physical pain, and finally interdisciplinary and evidence-based approaches to alleviating suffering.
Objective/Background:There are bidirectional links between sleep quality and pain, with recent re... more Objective/Background:There are bidirectional links between sleep quality and pain, with recent research suggesting that sleep impairment more strongly predicts future pain than vice versa. Relatively few studies have examined sleep quality in relationship to acute pain among chronic pain patients. The purpose of the current study is to investigate relationships among subjective sleep quality and behavioral and physiological responses to a cold pressor pain task (CPT) in chronic pain patients.Patients/Methods:Participants were 120 individuals with chronic pain. Participants completed a series of questionnaires followed by the CPT. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Physiological baseline state and stress response were assessed before and during the CPT using heart rate (HR), electromyography frontalis (EMGF), galvanic skin response conductance (GSR), and skin temperature (oC). Multiple linear regressions adjusting for opioid usage were performed.Results:After adjusting for opioid use, PSQI global score explained significant variance in pain tolerance (B=−5.37, β=−.23, p=.01), baseline GSR (B=−.66, β=−.24, p=.01), and HR change from baseline to CPT (B=1.33, β=.25, p=.01).Conclusions:Worse perceived sleep quality was associated with lower pain tolerance, lower baseline GSR conductance, and greater HR change from baseline to CPT. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for opioid usage and psychological dimensions of pain in the relationship between sleep and acute pain response in chronic pain populations.
Migraines result in a significant amount of pain and reduce the quality of life for more than 13 ... more Migraines result in a significant amount of pain and reduce the quality of life for more than 13 percent of the U.S. population. 90 They are related to increases in emotional and physiological stress. Reducing stress may, therefore, lead to fewer headaches. Dr. Wachholtz and her colleagues designed a specific SM program involving meditation to test the hypothesis that decreased reactivity to stressors might reduce the number and intensity of migraines. The study cohort included 88 patients with migraine who had never practiced meditation. Of these patients, 80.7 percent were female, matching the epidemiological profile of migraine. Participants were randomized to the meditation or education control groups. Treatment included 4 weekly 90-minute group sessions with meditation training and meditation practice for 20 minutes per day. Education controls were given information on migraine demographics and treatment options. Anxiety levels were assessed by the State Anxiety Inventory and galvanic skin response; migraines were assessed in a headache journal. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-trial period, and 4 weeks post-trial period. Meditation significantly reduced the number of headaches by 50 percent. This effect was maintained 4 weeks post trial. Meditation reduced emotional and physiological stress reactivity by 10 percent and 40 percent, respectively, and was sustained during the post-trial period. Patients in the education control group actually experienced a transitory increase in state anxiety at the immediate post-trial evaluation, possibly because of focusing on their disability during the intervention. These results indicate that meditation is a useful and cost-effective tool in the management of chronic migraine pain. Interesting avenues of future research include examining different kinds of meditation, whether there are gender differences, and how long meditation-mediated outcomes can be sustained
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Papers by Amy Wachholtz