Avaliação da qualidade de vida de portadores de dor crônica tratados com acupuntura

Abstract

With the expansion of the population life expectancy, and the consequent increase in patients with chronic pain, it becomes necessary a better understanding of the adopted treatments for the relief of symptoms. Among the alternative treatments, acupuncture has an important place for providing pain relief and, in some cases, avoiding the common scenario found among people being treated for a chronic condition that results in polypharmacy and unexpected deleterious effect on the patient's overall health. This study aimed to verify the quality of life of adults with chronic pain treated with acupuncture and their clinical and sociodemographic profile. The study is cross-sectional, where twenty participants were interviewed they were all being treated in a clinic specializing in acupuncture, located in northern Brazil. It was used the SF-36 instrument to know about their own perception of quality of life and a semistructured questionnaire that addressed questions regarding the social, demographic and clinical characteristics. The sample was presented with female predominance, living with a partner and most participants engaged in intellectual labor activities. When evaluating the quality of life, the greatest score obtained was the social aspect followed by role emotional. The lowest scores were in the dimensions mental health and pain. The results indicate that acupuncture promotes a positive perception of quality of life of patients with chronic pain. Despite the presence of pain and impaired well-being, there is a positive self-perception of social interactivity and performance of activities of daily living by the participants