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Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition
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Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2026 | Viewed by 3408

Editor

Prof. Dr. Mimi M. Y. Tse

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: pain management strategies including music, vision, exercise, humour, massage, use of play therapies and gardening activities; enhance quality of living and quality of life for older persons
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

People are suffering from acute or chronic pain due to work, diseases, etc. Pain is associated with significant physical and psychosocial incapacities and interferes with people’s daily and social activities. Persistent pain is associated with various adverse outcomes, including functional impairment, cognitive failure, depression, anxiety, falls, sleep and appetite disturbances, reduced social interaction, and unnecessary healthcare use and expenditures [1].

Pain is usually inadequately managed. Analgesics remain the primary approach to pain management, but people worry about adverse drug reactions. Non-pharmacological strategies, including pain education programmes, exercise programmes, massage, relaxation therapies, cognitive-behavioural therapy, listening to music, visual stimulation, and motivational interviewing, are becoming increasingly popular [2].

This Special Issue aims to serve as a platform for new scientific evidence on pain management in healthcare practice. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the keywords listed below.

References

  1. Zis, P.; Daskalaki, A.; Bountouni, I.; Sykioti, P.; Varrassi, G.; Paladini, A. Depression and chronic pain in the elderly: Links and management challenges.  Interv. Aging, 2017, 12, 709–720. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA .S113576.
  2. Abdulla, A.; Adams, N.; Bone, M.; Elliott, A. M.; Gaffin, J.; Jones, D.; Knaggs, R.; Martin, D.; Sampson, L.; Schofield, P. Guidance on the management of pain in older people. AgeAgeing, 2013, 42(Suppl 1), i1–i57. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afs200.

Prof. Dr. Mimi M. Y. Tse
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pain
  • acute pain
  • chronic pain
  • older adults
  • depression
  • non-pharmacological
  • exercise
  • healthcare
  • home care
  • dyadic pain management

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 303 KB  
Article
Differences in Depression and Anxiety, Quality of Life and Quality of Sleep Between Neuropathic and Nociceptive Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparative, Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Study
by Ivan Beljan, Ivan Krakan, Josip Šimić, Hrvoje Ajman and Zoran Špoljarić
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1905; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131905 - 1 Jul 2026
Viewed by 290
Abstract
Background: The available evidence highlights that low back pain (LBP) can be categorized into neuropathic or nociceptive pain, according to mechanical- or lesion/disease-related issues. Both types of pain are associated with increased psychological and sleep problems and well-being. However, little is known about [...] Read more.
Background: The available evidence highlights that low back pain (LBP) can be categorized into neuropathic or nociceptive pain, according to mechanical- or lesion/disease-related issues. Both types of pain are associated with increased psychological and sleep problems and well-being. However, little is known about how a specific type of LBP pain (neuropathic vs. nociceptive) has an impact on these lifestyle factors. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to examine the differences in depression and anxiety symptoms, quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep in patients with LBP. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 150 patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age: 46.54 ± 13.36 years; height: 178.06 ± 10.80 cm; weight: 85.26 ± 15.53 kg; body mass index (BMI): 26.77 ± 3.63 kg/m2; 45.0% women] from three centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia between July and October 2025. All patients suffered from chronic LBP confirmed by computerized tomography (CT). The classification of pain was conducted using the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANNS), the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) and the PainDETECT (PD-Q) questionnaires. Positive scores in all three questionnaires denoted neuropathic pain. Factors of depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory), anxiety [Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS)], QoL (SF-36 scale) and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were also collected. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, neuropathic patients reported higher depression [F1,149 = 7.790, p = 0.006, partial eta squared (ηp2) = 0.051] and anxiety level scores (F1,149 = 8.140, p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.053), lower QoL (F1,149 = 19.088, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.116) and poorer sleep quality (F1,149 = 19.654, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.119). Conclusions: In summary, this study shows that neuropathic patients with LBP are more depressed and anxious, and have lower levels of QoL and poorer sleep quality, in comparison to nociceptive patients. The findings suggest that these lifestyle factors need to be considered when establishing the appropriate rehabilitation and management of LBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition)
15 pages, 592 KB  
Article
Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pain Management at a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia: Impact of an Evidence-Based Instructional Program
by Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Shahin, Fatmah Alamoudi, Magda Yousif Ramadan, Adil Abdalla, Sarah Fahad Al Ojaimi, Nada Saleh Al Saadi, Anfal Shaheen Aleid and Hanan Alfahd
Healthcare 2026, 14(6), 729; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060729 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pain is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients, and suboptimal pain assessment and management remain common in clinical practice. Nurses are central to timely pain recognition and intervention, yet knowledge and attitudinal gaps can hinder evidence-based pain care. Therefore, this study aimed to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pain is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients, and suboptimal pain assessment and management remain common in clinical practice. Nurses are central to timely pain recognition and intervention, yet knowledge and attitudinal gaps can hinder evidence-based pain care. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of an evidence-based instructional program on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain management at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A one-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted at King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (January–July 2025). Registered nurses providing direct patient care (N = 226) completed a researcher-developed questionnaire assessing pain management knowledge (30 items) and attitudes (10 items, 5-point Likert scale) immediately before and one week after a structured three-hour evidence-based educational program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients (SPSS v30), with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Baseline findings indicated moderate knowledge (mean of total scores = 15.54 ± 4.32) and generally positive attitudes toward pain management (mean = 3.83 ± 0.60). Knowledge scores increased significantly after the intervention to become moderate to high (pretest: 15.54 ± 4.32 vs. posttest: 18.65 ± 3.83; p < 0.001). Attitude scores also improved significantly following the program (p < 0.001). Knowledge and attitudes showed a significant positive correlation both preintervention (r = 0.241, p < 0.001) and postintervention (r = 0.435, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A brief evidence-based educational program yielded measurable improvements in nurses’ pain management knowledge and attitudes. Integrating structured pain education into continuing professional development may strengthen patient-centered pain care and support more consistent evidence-based practice in tertiary settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 428 KB  
Article
Effectiveness of a Dyadic Pain Management Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Pain: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
by Mimi Mun Yee Tse, Shamay Sheung Mei Ng, Paul H. Lee, Angel Shuk Kwan Tang, Percy Poo-see Tse, Kin Pong To, Sukki Ho and Timothy Chung Ming Wu
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040553 - 23 Feb 2026
Viewed by 874
Abstract
Background: The demand for digitally supported chronic pain management has grown. Yet, the employment of a well-structured and sustainable program for older adults is limited due to insufficient research studies involving both older adults and their informal caregivers. Objective: This cluster randomized controlled [...] Read more.
Background: The demand for digitally supported chronic pain management has grown. Yet, the employment of a well-structured and sustainable program for older adults is limited due to insufficient research studies involving both older adults and their informal caregivers. Objective: This cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a Dyadic Pain Management (DPM) program, with the primary outcome of pain intensity. Secondary outcomes included pain interference, pain self-efficacy, activities of daily living, pain knowledge, psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress), and caregiver burden. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 150 dyads (community-dwelling older adults with chronic non-cancer pain and their informal caregivers) over 8 weeks. The intervention comprised 4 weeks of on-campus group sessions followed by 4 weeks of WhatsApp-based support, while the control group received lesson pamphlets. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), week 8 (T1), and week 16 (T2). Results: Statistically significant improvements in pain outcomes were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group over follow-up. Between-group differences were significant for pain intensity (primary outcome) and pain interference, and pain self-efficacy also improved. Significant between-group differences were also observed for depression, anxiety, and stress after the intervention, and caregiver burden was lower in the intervention group at follow-up. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a dyadic, non-pharmacological pain management program with a WhatsApp-based component may support improvements in pain- and psychosocial-related outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain and their informal caregivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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20 pages, 574 KB  
Review
Hydromorphone in Pediatric Pain Management: Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, and Safety Considerations—A Narrative Review
by Alessandro Vittori, Cecilia Di Fabio, Ilaria Mascilini, Elisa Francia, Sara Pescatore, Corrado Cecchetti, Giuliano Marchetti, Franco Marinangeli, Teresa Grimaldi Capitello and Marco Cascella
Healthcare 2026, 14(14), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14142228 - 22 Jul 2026
Viewed by 489
Abstract
Background: Pain is one of the most common and challenging clinical problems in pediatric care, affecting up to three-quarters of hospitalized children. Hydromorphone has gained increasing clinical interest as an alternative opioid in pediatric settings, although evidence supporting its use remains limited. [...] Read more.
Background: Pain is one of the most common and challenging clinical problems in pediatric care, affecting up to three-quarters of hospitalized children. Hydromorphone has gained increasing clinical interest as an alternative opioid in pediatric settings, although evidence supporting its use remains limited. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted in accordance with SANRA recommendations using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies evaluating hydromorphone use in pediatric and adolescent patients across perioperative, postoperative, intensive care unit (ICU), and emergency settings. Results: Available evidence suggests that hydromorphone may provide effective analgesia in pediatric patients across multiple clinical contexts, including postoperative pain control, patient-controlled analgesia, analgosedation in the ICU, and acute pain management in the emergency department. However, the available data are largely derived from small, heterogeneous, and predominantly retrospective studies, often limited to single-center experiences. Conclusions: Hydromorphone may represent a useful alternative opioid for pediatric pain management and analgosedation, particularly when morphine is ineffective or poorly tolerated. Nevertheless, the current evidence base is limited, heterogeneous, and largely observational, precluding robust conclusions regarding its comparative effectiveness and safety. Further well-designed pediatric studies are required to better define its role in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Management in Healthcare Practice: 2nd Edition)
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