Exploring the occupational experiences of individuals with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Citation
(2017) Exploring the occupational experiences of individuals with
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, no. 82.
Abstract
CRPS is a type of chronic pain that affects a person's extremities. The pain it causes can be
extreme and debilitating in itself. However, CRPS can also have impact on people
emotionally and socially. Unfortunately, little is currently known about what it is like to live with
this condition. Therefore, the overall aim of this project is to explore and add to what is known
about the occupational experiences of people with CRPS. 'Occupational experience' refers to
how people feel and think about the everyday things that they need or want to do.
This project will first review the literature that already exists surrounding the experiences of
people with chronic pain and CRPS. It will compare what is already known about what it is
like to live with CRPS with the evidence surrounding the occupational experiences of chronic
pain. This comparison will help to identify what is already known and where there are gaps in
the current understanding of CRPS. It will then detail a research proposal that will aim to
develop an understanding of individuals' experiences from an occupational perspective. Six
people with CRPS will be interviewed, individually, about their experiences of their daily lives..
Their stories and perspectives will be brought together to develop a new understanding of the
experience of living with CRPS.