Hand-injured patients' experiences of cold sensitivity and the consequences and adaptation for daily life: a qualitative study.

Study Design: Qualitative descriptive.
Introduction: Cold sensitivity is a common and persistent complaint after hand injuries.
Purpose of the Study: To explore the experiences of severe cold sensitivity, its consequences for daily life, and the strategies for enduring and enabling occupation.
Methods: Fifteen hand-injured patients with abnormal cold sensitivity were interviewed. The transcribed text was analyzed using manifest and latent content analysis. Experiences of triggering factors, symptoms, and relieving strategies were described.
Results: The consequences and adaptation in daily life entailed a change in life roles, a struggle to maintain self-image and changed occupational performance and/or occupational patterns.
Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach, including a screening of patients' occupational roles and patterns as well as psychosocial needs, to obtain the information needed to support patients with severe cold sensitivity to achieve a sense of control and self-mastery.
Level of Evidence: not applicable.
(Copyright (c) 2010 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)