The Clinical journal of pain
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Comparative Study
Comparisons in Muscle Function and Training Rehabilitation Outcomes between Avoidance-Endurance Model-subgroups.
Evidence suggests that chronic low back pain patients with fear-avoidance (FAR) or endurance behavior are at risk of treatment failure and pain maintenance, with bodily overuse or underuse being assumed as mediating mechanisms for pain chronification. This study sought to examine whether or not the avoidance-endurance model subgroups, FAR, distress-endurers (DER), eustress-endurers (EER), and adaptive responders (AR), differed in physical measures and outcomes after training therapy. ⋯ Although FAR and DER did not differ in physical measures or activity levels from EER and AR, they demonstrated poor lower back-related health at baseline and after intervention. Thus, future research should elucidate as to which additional interventions could optimize their health.
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Multicenter Study
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Chronic Pain in the Military Population: Factors Associated With Treatment Outcomes.
Acupuncture is characterized as an alternative or complementary medicine with a low complication rate and minimal side effects. There is a lack of robust evidence that shows acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to determine which (if any) characteristics can predict successful response to acupuncture in chronic pain patients treated at military treatment facilities. ⋯ The use of electrical stimulation and higher baseline pain score were associated with a positive treatment outcome, while the presence of a psychological comorbidity diminished the likelihood of treatment success. Practitioners should consider using electrical stimulation more frequently, and addressing psychopathology before or concurrent to treatment, when initiating acupuncture.
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To derive prognostic models for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) (n=294) based upon an extensive array of potentially prognostic multidimensional factors. ⋯ The variance explained by prognostic models was similar to previous reports, despite an extensive array of multidimensional baseline variables. This highlights the inherent multidimensional complexity of CLBP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Duloxetine as an Analgesic Reduces Opioid Consumption after Spine Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Study.
Multimodal analgesia is widely advocated for the control of perioperative pain in an effort to reduce the use of opioid. Duloxetine is a selective inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake with efficacy for chronic pain conditions. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two 60 mg oral doses of duloxetine in terms of fentanyl consumption during the postoperative period in patients undergoing elective spine surgery. ⋯ Duloxetine was effective as an adjunct for postoperative analgesia and reduced opioid consumption.
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The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature concerning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) measured glutamate levels in specific brain regions of fibromyalgia (FM) patients to determine if there is a correlation between raised glutamate levels and the presentation of FM. ⋯ Although the cause of FM remains inconclusive, there is converging data in favor of a dysregulation of pain processing in the central nervous system of FM patients, particularly associated with an increase in cerebral glutamate levels. Furthermore, there is evidence to support an association between increased glutamate levels and an increase in FM symptoms.