Abstract
Background: Knowledge of the concept of pain anxiety is necessary to provide better services in the care of patients suffering from various types of pain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to precept and learn more about the concept of pain anxiety.
Methods: This study was analyzed using Rogers’ evolutionary concept analysis approach for articles published from 1975 to 2023. Valid databases, including Google Scholar, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest, were used to search for sources. Articles or sources published in the field of nursing and medicine were included in the study, and the existing articles were sorted according to the year of publication to determine the changes in the concept over time. The text of each article was re-read, and related phrases were identified based on their appropriateness, and finally, a new definition of pain anxiety was explained.
Results: Pain anxiety indicates cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological reactions to the anticipation and experience of pain, which refers to future fears and concerns about pain. This type of anxiety appears with different words and phrases that represent fear, worry, discomfort, panic, and anger. The antecedents of pain anxiety include chronic pain, procedures such as dressing changes, and injuries such as fractures and burns. The consequences of this concept include physical and psychological problems, such as worsening pain. The word “pain-related fear” can be utilized as an alternative concept. To provide an example of pain anxiety, we can refer to a patient who has no history of surgery, and after performing the first debridement and dressing, avoids debridement and changing the dressing in the following days.
Conclusion: This analysis provides a dynamic definition of pain anxiety that may be useful to promote interaction and enhance understanding of concepts.