The Clinical journal of pain
-
Pain catastrophizing has emerged as a significant risk factor for problematic recovery after musculoskeletal injury. As such, there has been an increased focus on interventions that target patients' levels of catastrophizing. However, it is not presently clear how clinicians might best interpret scores on catastrophizing before and after treatment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide preliminary guidelines for the clinical interpretation of scores on pain catastrophizing among individuals with subacute pain after musculoskeletal injury. ⋯ The results indicate scores on catastrophizing before and after treatment that are clinically meaningful. These results may serve as preliminary guidelines to assess the clinical significance of interventions targeting pain catastrophizing in patients with subacute pain after musculoskeletal injury.
-
Observational Study
Implementation Fidelity of Self-administered Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Patients With Chronic Back Pain: An Observational Study.
The efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief has not been reliably established. Inconclusive findings could be due to inadequate TENS delivery and inappropriate outcome assessment. Electronic monitoring devices were used to determine patient compliance with a TENS intervention and outcome assessment protocol, to record pain scores before, during, and after TENS, and measure electrical output settings. ⋯ Findings from TENS research studies depend on the timing of outcome assessment; pain should be recorded during stimulation. TENS device sophistication might be an issue and parameter restriction should be considered. Careful protocol design is required to improve adherence and monitoring is necessary to evaluate the validity of findings. This observational study provides objective evidence to support concerns about poor implementation fidelity in TENS research.
-
Comparative Study
Differences in Pain Management Between Hematologists and Hospitalists Caring for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalized for Vasoocclusive Crisis.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease characterized by multiple vaso-occlusive complications and is increasingly cared for by hospitalists. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in pain management between hematologists and hospitalists. ⋯ We found patients cared for by hospitalists more frequently utilized home oral pain medication during admission, had shorter lengths of hospitalization, and did not have a significant increase in readmission rates.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
A Randomized-controlled Trial of Parent-led Tactile Stimulation to Reduce Pain During Infant Immunization Injections.
To determine the effectiveness of parent-led tactile stimulation for pain reduction when added to a combination of evidence-based pain-reducing interventions in infants undergoing immunization injections. ⋯ Parent-led tactile stimulation did not reduce pain in infants undergoing immunization injections when combined with other pain-relieving interventions. Potential reasons for the lack of effectiveness are discussed. Investigation of the effectiveness of clinician-led tactile stimulation in this population is recommended.
-
The objectives were to: (1) examine temporal relationships between pain and activity in youth, specifically, whether physical activity affects pain intensity and whether intensity of pain affects subsequent physical activity levels on a daily basis, and (2) examine clinical predictors of this relationship. ⋯ Youth experiencing high pain intensity limit their physical activity level on a day-to-day basis. Activity was related to subsequent pain intensity, and may represent an important focus in chronic pain treatment. Further study of the effect of medications on subsequent activity is needed.