Pain
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To evaluate changes in pain threshold before, during and after labor in a prospective clinical trial. Forty pregnant women at term were included. Pain threshold in 18 specific pressure points was evaluated using a dolorimeter. ⋯ Pain intensity using the VRS score was higher during labor than before labor (4.8+/-2.7 and 2.4+/-2.6 p<0.001). We found a significant rise in pain threshold during labor in term pregnancies. This rise may have an intended protective effect during the intense labor pain experience.
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In September 2006, members of the Sex, Gender and Pain Special Interest Group of the International Association for the Study of Pain met to discuss the following: (1) what is known about sex and gender differences in pain and analgesia; (2) what are the "best practice" guidelines for pain research with respect to sex and gender; and (3) what are the crucial questions to address in the near future? The resulting consensus presented herein includes input from basic science, clinical and psychosocial pain researchers, as well as from recognized experts in sexual differentiation and reproductive endocrinology. We intend this document to serve as a utilitarian and thought-provoking guide for future research on sex and gender differences in pain and analgesia, both for those currently working in this field as well as those still wondering, "Do I really need to study females?"
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Review Meta Analysis
Health care practitioners' attitudes and beliefs about low back pain: a systematic search and critical review of available measurement tools.
The attitudes and beliefs that health care practitioners (HCPs) hold about back pain have been shown to affect the advice they provide to patients seeking healthcare. In order to develop a questionnaire for a national survey of attitudes, beliefs and practice behaviour of HCPs about back pain, a systematic review of available measurement tools was undertaken. Measurement tools were identified from a systematic search of databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Psychinfo, AMED and British Nursing Index) in the English language for papers published from January 1990 to October 2006. ⋯ PT have undergone the most thorough testing to date, but gaps in the properties of all the tools remain, particularly test-retest reliability and responsiveness. This review identified only five tools and demonstrated limited reporting of their validity and reliability. Further development and testing of existing tools should be a priority to ensure they are robust and valid measures of attitudes and beliefs of HCPs about back pain.