Supervisors info:
Γκιόζος Ιωάννης, Ακαδημαϊκός Υπότροφος, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Κοττέας Ηλίας, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πουλάκου Γαρυφαλλιά, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction:
Chronic pain burdens patients and undermines their functionality and daily life, while simultaneously challenging and perpetually driving medical science. It undoubtedly constitutes a field that requires continuous research and advancement, always with respect for human dignity, aiming to preserve functionality and, by extension, human dignity.
Purpose
The present study investigates and documents all innovative approaches in the analgesic care of patients with chronic pain through systematic literature review.
Materials and Methods
Searching the Google Scholar and Pubmed databases, relevant articles selected from the last five years (2019 to 2023) amount to 135 in total. They encompass findings recorded on the human body, while studies involving animals or still in progress, such as the discovery and exploration of molecular targets, are excluded from the research.
Results
The key findings demonstrate a plethora of new methods, including both invasive and non-invasive techniques, pharmaceuticals, psychological support, exercise, herbal products, sleep therapy, phototherapy, and other methods that will be discussed in detail later on. Technology, now with its own modern manifestations such as Virtual Reality, is penetrating the realm of palliative care. The goal is individualized patient management with a unique personal plan.
Conclusions
In conclusion, this study aims to highlight all the means and methods available today in the arsenal of palliative care for patients suffering from chronic pain. In closing, we emphasize the urgent need for continuous research and education of the respective medical team, with the ultimate goal of finding those suitable methods that will bring the long-awaited improvement or relief of chronic pain sensation, which may otherwise exclude the patient from an active personal and social life.
