Factors Influencing Pain Management Practices in People With Parkinson’s Disease: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Background: While Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily recognized for its motor symptoms, several non-motor symptoms may also be present. Among these, pain is one of the most common and debilitating, arising from complex neurophysiological mechanisms that often interact with motor symptoms and comorbidities, leading to a diverse range of clinical presentations. Although a variety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies are used to manage pain in PD, the factors influencing treatment practices remain underexplored, particularly within the Australian healthcare context. This study, therefore, aimed to explore, from the patients' perspective, factors that influence pain management practices among people with PD living in Australia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research methodology using a maximum variation sampling strategy was used to recruit people with PD, living in Australia. Data were collected using individual, semistructured interviews and thematically analyzed. Results: 18 participants shared their perspectives on the factors that influenced their pain management practices. Thematic analysis of interview data resulted in four themes: (1) recommendations from trusted sources; (2) explorative experimentation and solution seeking; (3) intervention and service provider characteristics; and (4) personal beliefs and abilities; and several subthemes. These findings highlight the complex nature of therapeutic decision-making from the perspective of people with PD, underscoring the interaction between external and internal influences. Conclusion: There is complexity and nuance in how people with PD make decisions about managing their pain. External and internal factors seem to influence therapeutic decision-making, while also highlighting notable gaps in the provision of PD pain care services. Understanding these complexities will be critical in developing accessible, effective, and patient-centered approaches to pain management within this population.