Colella, J., Scrofine, S., Galli, B., Knorr-Mulder, C., Gejerman, G., Scheuch, J., . . . Sawczuk, I. (2006). Prostate HDR radiation therapy: A comparative study evaluating the effectiveness of pain management with peripheral PCA vs. PCEA. Urologic Nursing, 26, 57–61.
To examine the effectiveness of two different types of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)—peripheral (IV) versus epidural in an effort to develop best practice in pain management for this population
The phase 1 control group with PCA had the following mean ratings for pain: back, 2.7; foley catheter, 3.4; perineal interstitial catheter, 3.0.
The phase 2 experimental group with PCEA had the following mean ratings for pain: back, 0.5; foley catheter, 0.6; perineal interstitial catheter, 0.7.
PCA was associated with increased pain intensity. Foley pain was worse with arthritis and obesity. Back pain increased, interstitial pain decreased, and pain increased with the number of catheters. The PCEA group experienced significantly less pain at five-points-of-pain assessment from the control group.
Patients with PCA had greater pain and less pain relief.