PAIN MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG PATIENTS DIAGNOSE WITH CHRONIC PAIN IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the relationship between acute and chronic pain on mental health and psychological well-being among diagnose patients in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Research samples of 350 participants drawn from three hospitals in Nasarawa State were used; 79 acute and 271 chronic patients were involved, their age range from 18 to 60 years. Simple random sampling technique was used to ensure equal representation. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Mental Pain Assessment Card (MPAC) were used for the collection of data. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistics was used at 0.05 significant level and analyzed thus: t.cal = 7.82; t.obs = 1.96; df =3; P<0.05; for pain and mental health, and t.cal = 4.02; t.obs = 0.195; df = 2; P<0.05 for pain and psychological well-being. The result showed that a statistical significant relationship exists between acute and chronic pain on mental health. A significant relationship exists between acute and chronic pain on psychological wellbeing of patients diagnosed in three selected hospitals in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended that unresolved PTSD symptoms influence pain, depression and result to mental disorder. Therefore, hypnotherapy and gentle stretching exercises to focus on pain management and control will help the patients regain their mental and psychological fitness.