The Clinical journal of pain
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Mild adverse events (AEs) are common with acupuncture, but the collection of AEs is generally poor. The objective of this study was to develop and test a new instrument for acupuncture-related AEs. ⋯ The AcupAE was able to detect differences in AE between true, minimal, and simulated acupuncture, whereas the open-ended questioning was not sensitive enough. The results support the use of AcupAE as an effective instrument for the assessment of acupuncture-related AEs. Although the checklist approach can result in overreporting and the causality may be unclear for some events, it is the first step for collecting standardized information and allowing comparison between different acupuncture approaches and patient groups in future studies.
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To compare the relative thickness change of the transversal abdominal (TrA) and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles during activation in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP), and to establish a relationship between surface electromyography (sEMG) signal amplitude and the relative thickness change of the corresponding muscle during clinically relevant activity, with preferential activation of TrA/LM. ⋯ US and sEMG measurements can be used for objective TrA/LM assessment. Correlation results suggest that the relative change of the muscle thickness could be used as the indicator of the muscle activity. Insight into the activity of TrA/LM in pain-free individuals and LBP patients during and after painful episodes may clarify the role of functional abnormalities of these muscles in LBP.
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Pain catastrophizing is thought to play a causal role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and its negative impact on functioning. However, few studies have examined the factors that might contribute to the development and maintenance of catastrophizing. The Anterior Asymmetry and Emotion (AAE) model hypothesizes that more activity in left anterior brain regions is associated with a tendency to engage in approach responses (often, but not always, associated with positive valance), and that more right anterior activity is associated with a tendency to engage in more withdrawal responses (often associated with negative valance). Given the consistent associations found between catastrophizing and both (1) approach versus avoidance pain coping style; and (2) affective responses to pain, the AAE model would predict that more left (vs. right) anterior brain activity would prospectively predict future catastrophizing. ⋯ The study findings identify a biological factor that may be associated with greater vulnerability to pain-related catastrophizing. If replicated in future research, the findings suggest new possibilities for treating catastrophizing, which may then contribute to improved pain treatment outcomes.
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This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing vaccination pain and related outcomes in children and adolescents. ⋯ Psychological interventions with some evidence of benefit in children include: verbal distraction, video distraction, music distraction, and breathing with a toy.
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Vaccine injections are the most common painful needle procedure experienced throughout the lifespan. Many strategies are available to mitigate this pain; however, they are uncommonly utilized, leading to unnecessary pain and suffering. Some individuals develop a high level of fear and subsequent needle procedures are associated with significant distress. ⋯ Through the body of work in this supplement, the authors aim to provide guidance in how to treat vaccination-related pain and its sequelae, including high levels of needle fear.