NURSING MANAGEMENT OF VASCULAR PAIN SYNDROMES: FROM PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE TO COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME

N. Misceo¹, G. Fedelfranco² | ¹Ministry of Health, SASN Bari, Italy; ²Social Health Local District, Asl Bari, U.O. PUA/UVM, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Italy

Introduction. Vascular pain syndromes, including intermittent claudication from peripheral artery disease and complex regional pain syndrome, present significant challenges due to their multifactorial pathophysiology involving ischemic, inflammatory, and neuropathic components. Nursing care is critical for symptom monitoring, risk factor management, and rehabilitation support. This scoping review maps the available evidence on nursing interventions across vascular pain syndromes.
Methods. This scoping review followed the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from 2010 to 2025 was conducted regarding nursing interventions for vascular pain conditions, including monitoring of ischemic pain, wound care in critical limb ischemia, and supportive care for patients undergoing physical therapy for complex regional pain syndrome. Data were charted by condition, intervention type, and reported outcome, with eligibility assessed according to JBI criteria.
Results. The mapped sources indicate that structured nursing assessment of vascular pain severity and limb perfusion status facilitated earlier detection of disease progression in peripheral artery disease patients. Education regarding smoking cessation, exercise programs, and medication adherence was associated with improved functional walking distance. In complex regional pain syndrome, sources describing nursing support during graded motor imagery and desensitization therapy reported improved patient engagement and reduced pain-related disability, although the evidence base for vascular pain nursing remains relatively limited and heterogeneous.
Conclusions. This scoping review indicates that nurses contribute substantially to the management of vascular pain syndromes through risk factor modification, symptom monitoring, and rehabilitation support. The mapped literature suggests that a comprehensive, vascular-pain-specific nursing assessment framework could improve early detection and long-term outcomes, although further primary research is needed.