Wound treatment and pain management: a stressful time.

Matsuzaki K, Upton D.

Source

K Matsuzaki, MD, PhD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kawasaki Municipal Tama Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan D Upton, PhD, FBPsS, Institute of Health and Society, University of Worcester, Worcester WR2 6AJ, United Kingdom.

Abstract

This review and case study report considers the evidence to indicate that the progress of wound healing is negatively affected by the presence of stressors and in circumstances where patients are in pain. It considers the relationship between perceptions of pain, stress and delayed wound healing with a specific focus on guidance for clinical practice. It is appreciated that although the literature has examined these issues in the management of acute wounds, demonstrating that psychological stress can have detrimental effects on the wound-healing process, the evidence to support this link in relation to chronic wounds is limited. The review considers evidence indicating that punch biopsy wounds heal more slowly in subjects under stress due to caring for family members with long-term illnesses and also considers briefly the relationship between cortisol secretion in response to stress and consequent influences on cytokine levels and the wound-healing process.
© 2012 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and Medicalhelplines.com Inc.

PMID:

22905710

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher] 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22905710