The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Lidocaine-based topical anesthetic with disinfectant (LidoDin) versus EMLA for venipuncture: a randomized controlled trial.
To examine the efficacy and safety of a new topical anesthetic containing a disinfection ingredient (LidoDin cream) in reducing the pain associated with venipuncture by comparing it with the proven eutectic mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA cream). ⋯ This pilot study demonstrated that LidoDin and EMLA seem to be equally safe and effective topical anesthetics for venipuncture. Future studies are planned to determine, if LidoDin reduces the rate of local skin infection in patients treated with multiple daily subcutaneous injections of medications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transcranial DC stimulation coupled with TENS for the treatment of chronic pain: a preliminary study.
Based on evidence showing that electrical stimulation of the nervous system is an effective method to decrease chronic neurogenic pain, we aimed to investigate whether the combination of 2 methods of electrical stimulation-a method of peripheral stimulation [transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)] and a method of noninvasive brain stimulation [transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)]-induces greater pain reduction as compared with tDCS alone and sham stimulation. ⋯ The results of this pilot study suggest that the combination of TENS with tDCS has a superior effect compared with tDCS alone.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
External thermomechanical stimulation versus vapocoolant for adult venipuncture pain: pilot data on a novel device.
Mechanoreceptor and noxious thermal inhibitory stimulation modulate pain conduction but have not been clinically tested in combination. Our objectives were to determine whether a vibrating cold device decreased adult venipuncture pain on a 10 cm visual analog scale more than no intervention, and compared with vapocoolant analgesia versus no intervention. ⋯ The combination of cold and vibration gave significant venipuncture pain relief without affecting cannulation success. Interventions were more helpful for those with greater preprocedural fear. Larger sample sizes and a prongless device could better compare equivalence or superiority to existing pain relief modalities.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Effects of transdermal buprenorphine on patients-reported outcomes in cancer patients: results from the Cancer Pain Outcome Research (CPOR) Study Group.
Pain still afflicts most cancer patients, mainly in the metastatic phases, and under-treatment is well documented. Transdermal delivery systems (TDS) containing fentanyl or buprenorphine could potentiality have advantages over oral and parenteral routes, but evidence from comparative trials are scanty. In the framework of a wider initiative, an Outcome Research Study was carried out in Italy in 2006 to evaluate the effects of various analgesic options, particularly buprenorphine TDS. ⋯ Despite the limitations owing to the observational design, these findings may be useful to clinicians to judge the value of the drug under evaluation better and to help researchers design further comparative studies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Can predictors of response to NSAIDs be identified in patients with acute low back pain?
The aim of this study was to determine whether certain patient characteristics could identify people with acute low back pain who were more likely to respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), when administered in combination with paracetamol. ⋯ This study did not find any baseline patient characteristics, which consistently identified patients with acute low back pain who respond best to NSAIDs when provided in addition to paracetamol and advice. A patient's sex and level of fear avoidance may be weak predictors and warrant further prospective investigation.