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.