The Clinical journal of pain
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Symptomatic cluster-like headache has been described with some ophthalmological disorders such as glaucoma, orbital myositis, posterior scleritis, enucleation, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and cataract surgery. ⋯ The surgical technique of cataract removal involves corneal incision, which can trigger the trigeminal-autonomic reflex, a pathophysiological mechanism potentially implicated in idiopathic cluster headache. Differential diagnosis in these cases includes surgical and anesthetic complications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Retracted Publication
Effect of a Long-lasting Multidisciplinary Program on Disability and Fear-Avoidance Behaviors in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
To evaluate the effect on disability, kinesiophobia, pain, and the quality of life of a long-lasting multidisciplinary program based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and targeted against fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic low back pain. ⋯ The long-lasting multidisciplinary program was superior to the exercise program in reducing disability, fear-avoidance beliefs and pain, and enhancing the quality of life of patients with chronic low back pain. The effects were clinically tangible and lasted for at least 1 year after the intervention ended.
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Patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 might have disturbed autonomic function and increased heart rate fractal dynamics with a resultant impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). We hypothesized that these parameters of impaired cardiovascular regulation might improve with a reduction of pain intensity. ⋯ Increased LF/HF ratios likely indicate that patients had an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system. The increased fractal slope suggests that patients developed strong self-similarity of HR variability. The highly predictable HR variability leads to impaired hemodynamic homeostasis, resulting in decreased BRS. The impaired cardiovascular regulation improved with a reduction of pain. Thus, spectral analysis of HR variability may be useful objectively to follow complex regional pain syndrome type 1 patients, not only for pain management but also for the status of cardiovascular stability.
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Review
Subcutaneous and Perineural Botulinum Toxin Type A For Neuropathic Pain: A Descriptive Review.
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that has been widely used in chronic pain for the treatment of multiple conditions with a component of localized muscle spasm. Recent studies suggest that botulinum toxin is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes such as postherpetic neuralgia or painful scars. ⋯ On the basis of the analysis of the reports published in the literature, it would seem that fractioned peripheral subcutaneous and perineural injections of botulinum toxin type A may be useful for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions with neuropathic component.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Reduces Postsurgical Opioid Consumption in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA).
Although pain is often a symptom that precedes total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the procedure itself is associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks. Postoperative pain control is an important factor in determining recovery time, hospital length of stay, and rehabilitation success. Several brain stimulation technologies including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have demonstrated promise as treatments for a variety of pain conditions. The present study examined the effects of 4 sessions of tDCS on post-TKA pain and opioid consumption. ⋯ Results from this pilot feasibility study suggest that tDCS may be able to reduce post-TKA opioid requirements. Although these results are preliminary, the data support further research in the area of adjunctive cortical stimulation in the management of postsurgical pain.