The Clinical journal of pain
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Neuropathic pain is one of the common complications after spinal cord injury (SCI), affecting individuals' quality of life. The molecular mechanism for neuropathic pain after SCI is still unclear. We aimed to discover potential genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) related to neuropathic pain by the bioinformatics method. ⋯ Protein modification and regulation of the biological process of the central nervous system may be a risk factor in SCI. Certain genes and miRNAs may be potential biomarkers for the prediction of and potential targets for the prevention and treatment of neuropathic pain after SCI.
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The efficacy of ketamine in relieving complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) lacks predictive factors. The value of three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) was assessed for this purpose. ⋯ The relative hyperfixation of the radioactive tracer in the limb region concerned by CRPS in phases 2 and 3 versus phase 1 of TPBS correlated positively to the analgesic efficacy of ketamine. This study shows for the first time the potential predictive value of TPBS regarding ketamine therapy outcome. In addition, these results suggest that the analgesic action of ketamine is not restricted to "central" mechanisms, but may also involve "peripheral" mechanisms related to tissue inflammation and bone remodeling.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Satisfaction With an Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment for Children and Adolescents: An Independent Outcome Measure?
Although treatment satisfaction is recommended in the Pediatric Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (PedIMMPACT) as a core outcome measure in pediatric chronic pain clinical trials, no results regarding this outcome measure have been reported to date for intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to close this gap and investigate the treatment satisfaction of pediatric patients with different chronic pain disorders who received intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment and who were followed up over 4 years. ⋯ Taken together, the results show that treatment satisfaction is not associated with treatment outcome. A global judgment of satisfaction seems to be an independent outcome measure but may be inappropriate for measuring the multifaceted construct of satisfaction. Instead, separate satisfaction ratings in specific areas, for example, treatment methods or outcome, may be more suitable.
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This review aims to provide a framework for evaluating the utility of virtual reality (VR) as a distraction intervention to alleviate pain and distress during medical procedures. We first describe the theoretical bases underlying the VR analgesic and anxiolytic effects and define the main factors contributing to its efficacy, which largely emerged from studies on healthy volunteers. Then, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical trials using VR distraction during different medical procedures, such as burn injury treatments, chemotherapy, surgery, dental treatment, and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. ⋯ Despite these promising results, future long-term randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and evaluating not only self-report measures but also physiological variables are needed. Further studies are also required both to establish predictive factors to select patients who can benefit from VR distraction and to design hardware/software systems tailored to the specific needs of different patients and able to provide the greatest distraction at the lowest cost.
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To assess the prevalence of chronic neck pain (CNP), chronic low back pain (CLBP), and migraine among Spanish adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with non-COPD patients matched by age and sex; and to identify predictors for each of these types of pains among COPD sufferers. ⋯ The prevalence of CNP, CLBP, and migraine was significantly higher among COPD patients in comparison with controls. Associated factors to suffering these types of pain in patients with COPD included age, sex, self-rated health, certain comorbidities including mental disorders, obesity, and using pain medication.