Pain and psychological distress in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation

The major goal of this descriptive study with repeated measures was to better understand the pain and psychological distress of patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). A second goal was to gain insight into potential treatment strategies by examining the pattern of locus of control and coping strategies used by the subjects. The sample was composed of 17 people (12 men and 5 women) diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and pretreated with high-dose chemotherapy prior to ABMT. Data collection instruments were the Pain-O-Meter (POM) (Gaston-Johansson, Omaha, NE), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), and the Coping Strategy Questionnaire (CSQ). The instruments were administered two days prior to the ABMT and 5, 10, and 20 days following the ABMT. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an ANOVA for repeated measures. The study showed that the patients experienced a low-grade, persistent pain that was multifocally located. Mild to moderate anxiety and depression were present throughout the hospitalization. The patients used inadequate coping strategies and reported that they had little ability to control or decrease their pain. These findings indicate a need for clinicians to develop treatment strategies to deal with pain and psychological distress experienced by patients undergoing ABMT.