The Clinical journal of pain
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, usually develops after trauma or immobilization, is characterized by focal pain and autonomic dysregulation, and sometimes focal trophic changes such as osteoporosis. The pathophysiology is unknown and there have been few controlled treatment trials. The purpose of this study was to obtain pilot data on the safety and efficacy of a highly potent bisphosphonate, ibandronate, for the treatment of CRPS, which might be responsive to bisphosphonates' inhibition of osteoclast and anti-inflammatory activity. ⋯ These data justify a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ibandronate that should perhaps be limited to patients with hand CRPS.
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Empathy and empathic response are receiving greater attention in pain research as investigators acknowledge that other forms of interaction may impact the pain process. The purpose of this study was to examine validation and invalidation as forms of empathic and nonempathic responses in chronic pain couples. ⋯ This work suggests that empathic and nonempathic communication are distinct from solicitous spouse responses. The findings have implications for theoretical and clinical work on social factors in pain.
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Primary: to examine the association between perceived spouse responses to patient well behaviors and important patient variables (pain behavior, pain intensity, pain interference, and depressive symptoms). Secondary: to examine whether perceived spouse responses to patient pain behaviors are associated with important pain-related variables. ⋯ Perceptions of spouse responses to patient well behaviors seem to have important associations with patient functioning, yet have received insufficient research attention. The Spouse Response Inventory (SRI) thus represents a valuable addition to available research instruments because it assesses spouse responses to well behaviors.
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Comparative Study
Whiplash (grade II) and cervical radiculopathy share a similar sensory presentation: an investigation using quantitative sensory testing.
Recent research has identified the coexistence of generalized sensory hypersensitivity and hypoesthetic changes suggestive of a neuropathic component to chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). This study aimed to compare chronic whiplash with a cervical neuropathic condition-cervical radiculopathy, using Quantitative Sensory Testing. ⋯ Generalized sensory hypersensitivity and hypoesthesia occur in both chronic whiplash and cervical radiculopathy. This may represent disordered central pain processing but could indicate peripheral nerve dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of microneedle design on pain in human volunteers.
To design microneedles that minimize pain, this study tested the hypothesis that microneedles cause significantly less pain than a 26-gauge hypodermic needle, and that decreasing microneedle length and the number of microneedles reduces pain in normal human volunteers. ⋯ Microneedles are significantly less painful than a 26-gauge hypodermic needle over the range of dimensions investigated. Decreasing microneedle length and number of microneedles reduces pain.