Pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Lumbar instrumented fusion compared with cognitive intervention and exercises in patients with chronic back pain after previous surgery for disc herniation: a prospective randomized controlled study.
The effectiveness of lumbar fusion for chronic low back pain after surgery for disc herniation has not been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of lumbar fusion with posterior transpedicular screws and cognitive intervention and exercises. Sixty patients aged 25-60 years with low back pain lasting longer than 1 year after previous surgery for disc herniation were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups. ⋯ The mean difference between treatments after adjustment for gender was -7.3 (95% CI -17.3 to 2.7, p=0.15). The success rate was 50% in the fusion group and 48% in the cognitive intervention/exercise group. For patients with chronic low back pain after previous surgery for disc herniation, lumbar fusion failed to show any benefit over cognitive intervention and exercises.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A sham-controlled, phase II trial of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of central pain in traumatic spinal cord injury.
Past evidence has shown that motor cortical stimulation with invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation is effective to relieve central pain. Here we aimed to study the effects of another, very safe technique of non-invasive brain stimulation--transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)--on pain control in patients with central pain due to traumatic spinal cord injury. Patients were randomized to receive sham or active motor tDCS (2mA, 20 min for 5 consecutive days). ⋯ Furthermore, cognitive performance was not significantly changed throughout the trial in both treatment groups. The results of our study suggest that this new approach of cortical stimulation can be effective to control pain in patients with spinal cord lesion. We discuss potential mechanisms for pain amelioration after tDCS, such as a secondary modulation of thalamic nuclei activity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of intensity of electroacupuncture upon experimental pain in healthy human volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Electroacupuncture is commonly used for pain relief. Despite an extensive evidence-base guiding the selection of stimulation parameters, little methodologically robust research exists regarding the level of intensity required to provide effective doses. This study investigated the hypoalgesic effects of two stimulation intensities compared to placebo on pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in pain-free humans. ⋯ The control group displayed stable PPT readings over time. No significant differences were observed between the placebo and control groups. These findings suggest that high-intensity levels may be important in optimal dose selection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers.
Cold hyperalgesia is a major clinical phenomenon, but validated experimental models are still lacking for humans. Topical menthol application has recently been proposed as a possible model for the study of cold pain. We characterized the psychophysical effects of 30% l-menthol in ethanol on glabrous skin in 39 healthy subjects, using a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, with ethanol as a control. ⋯ No subject displayed signs of skin irritation or redness. These data suggest that 30% menthol application may be a useful experimental model for studies of cold hyperalgesia in humans. The absence of local skin reactions also makes this test potentially suitable for use in patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Predictive factors for 1-year and 5-year outcome for disability in a working population of patients with low back pain treated in primary care.
Many patients seeking primary care for low back pain continue to report disability several years after their initial visit. The aims of this study were to assess the independent predictive value of a number of potential predictive factors for disability at the 1-year and 5-year follow-ups, and to examine whether prediction models were improved by replacing baseline health-state-related variables with corresponding variables after treatment. A further aim was to describe possible differences between those on sick leave, early retirement or disability pension, and those who were not. ⋯ For those without disability the corresponding figure was 9% (n=8/92). Being a woman, duration of the current episode, similar problems during the previous 5 years, exercise level before the current episode, pain frequency at baseline, and disability after treatment emerged as predictive factors for disability at the 5-year follow-up. Replacing baseline health-state-related measures with corresponding measures after the treatment period, and adding physical-activity-related and possibly work-related factors might improve the likelihood of predicting future disability.