The Clinical journal of pain
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This preliminary study examined aspects of pain communication (self-efficacy for pain communication and holding back from discussing pain and arthritis-related concerns) among patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and their partners, and associations between patient and partner pain communication and measures of patient and partner adjustment. ⋯ Taken together, results from this preliminary study suggest that self-efficacy for pain communication and holding back from discussions of pain and arthritis-related concerns may be important in understanding how patients with OA and their partners adjust to the demands of the patient's disease.
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The communication impairments that characterize severe dementia make pain assessment challenging. As such, pain problems often go undetected. Our goal was to determine whether systematic pain assessment leads to improved pain management practices and decreases nursing stress in comparison with a control condition. ⋯ This investigation provides strong support for both the importance of systematic pain assessment in long-term care and for the clinical utility of the PACSLAC in improving pain management practices and decreasing caregiver distress.
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Comparative Study
A comparison of the neuroablative effects of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency techniques.
To compare the neuroablative effects of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and conventional radiofrequency (CRF) techniques on the sciatic nerve, a peripheral nerve that includes motor, sensory, and autonomous fibers. ⋯ Nerve tissues can be affected during any type of procedure, even during surgical applications. Our results suggest that PRF is less destructive than CRF for the peripheral nerves. However, this idea should also be investigated at the molecular level, and safety analysis should be performed for routine clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with chronic pain after major thoracotomy.
The characteristics and etiology of long-term pain after major thoracotomy and methods for its prevention have yet to be established. ⋯ Postoperative pain that persists but eventually dissipates was a common finding whose intensity was associated with immediate preoperative and postoperative pain levels. In contrast, pain later on during hospitalization, its impact, and perceived analgesic effectiveness best identified those who would continue to report pain almost 1 year after surgery.
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To assess the evidence from rigorous clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses of complementary and alternative therapies for treating neuropathic and neuralgic pain. ⋯ On the basis of our findings, the evidence is not fully convincing for most complementary and alternative medicine modalities in relieving neuropathic or neuralgic pain. However, for topically applied capsaicin there is evidence of effectiveness beyond placebo. The evidence can be classified as encouraging and warrants further study for cannabis extract, magnets, carnitine, and electrostimulation.