The Clinical journal of pain
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The goal of this study was to assess clinical consensus regarding whether myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a legitimate and distinct diagnosis as well as the signs and symptoms characterizing MPS. ⋯ There was general agreement across specialties that MPS is a legitimate diagnosis distinct from fibromyalgia. There was a high level of agreement regarding the signs and symptoms essential or associated with a diagnosis of MPS. Differences across specialties are discussed. This survey provides a first step toward the development of consensus-based diagnostic criteria for MPS, which can then be validated empirically.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of pain rating scales by sampling from clinical trial data.
The goals of this study were to examine agreement and estimate differences in sensitivity between pain assessment scales. ⋯ In this acute pain model, the VRS-4 was less sensitive than the VAS. The simulation results demonstrated similar sensitivity of the NRS-11 and VAS when comparing acute postoperative pain intensity. The choice between the VAS and NRS-11 can thus be based on subjective preferences.
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Prior research examining the utility of nonverbal measures of pain in persons with cognitive impairments has focused on acute procedurally-induced phasic pain (i.e., venipuncture and needle injections). The goal of the current project was to examine the utility of both self-report and nonverbal measures of pain in frail elders experiencing exacerbations of chronic musculoskeletal pain. These were assumed to be more representative of the day-to-day pain experience of elderly patients. ⋯ This study supports the validity of self-report and behavioral measures of pain in frail elders with and without cognitive impairments. Each of the measures used contributed different information to pain assessment, suggesting that investigations of pain in elders with cognitive impairments should employ varying types of pain assessment tools.
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Comparative Study
Comorbid fibromyalgia accounts for reduced fecundity in women with myofascial face pain.
This study examined factors related to reduced fecundity among women with myofascial face pain (MFP) arising from hypotheses concerning the role of neurohormonal factors in MFP and associated conditions. ⋯ Reduced fecundity in women with MFP is restricted to those who self-report a history of fibromyalgia. Possible mechanisms for reduced fecundity in fibromyalgia are discussed. These findings highlight the need to screen for widespread pain among women with regional myofascial pain syndromes.
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The goal of this study was to examine whether body activity such as postural, trunk, and limb movements may be potential pain cues in preterm infants. ⋯ Some extensor movements seemed to be distress signals, whereas tremors, startles, and twitches were not related to discomfort during the observation period. These behaviors may differ qualitatively during longer lasting tissue invasive events. The results of this study indicate the need for more in-depth study of patterns of motor activity in preterm infants over longer observation periods to evaluate potential signs of stress and pain in babies undergoing NICU medical care.