The Clinical journal of pain
-
Use of a valid behavioral measure for pain is highly recommended for critically ill, uncommunicative adults. The aim of this study was to validate the English version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and physiologic indicators [mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO(2))] in critically ill ventilated adults. ⋯ The CPOT is a reliable and valid tool to assess pain in critically ill adults. Behavioral indicators represent more valid information in pain assessment than physiologic indicators. Further research is needed to explore how specific critically ill populations (eg, head injury) react to a painful procedure.
-
Although a great variety of surgical procedures are performed on an ambulatory basis, little is known about postoperative pain experience at home after ambulatory surgery. This study was performed to assess the prevalence and course of postoperative pain in the early postoperative period after ambulatory surgery. ⋯ This study showed that an important number of patients still experience moderate to severe pain in the postoperative period after day-case surgery even after a 4-day period. Furthermore, the type of operation should be considered when planning postoperative analgesia for ambulatory surgery.
-
Comparative Study
Changes in pain perception and descending inhibitory controls start at middle age in healthy adults.
Previous studies have shown a reduction of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNICs) in elderly adults compared with younger adults. Unfortunately, little is known regarding the developmental course of DNIC deficits and so it is still unclear whether middle-aged adults also show a DNIC deficit. The aims of the present study were to better characterize the developmental time course of the change in DNIC response by adding a middle-aged group. The role of expectations was also investigated. ⋯ The findings tell us that changes in pain perception and endogenous pain modulation arrive earlier than previously suggested. Studies on aging and pain should include a middle-aged group when comparing pain measures across the adult lifespan.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of chronic facet joint pain.
The goal of this study was to compare the effects of conventional radiofrequency (CRF) and pulsed RF (PRF) denervation to medial branches of dorsal rami in the treatment of facet joint pain. ⋯ PRF and CRF are effective and safe alternatives in the treatment of facet joint pain but PRF is not as long lasting as CRF.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Intramuscular injection of granisetron into the masseter muscle increases the pressure pain threshold in healthy participants and patients with localized myalgia.
The aims of this study were to experimentally investigate whether an intramuscular injection of the 5-HT(3) antagonist granisetron into the masseter muscle increases the mechanical pain threshold in healthy participants and reduces masseter muscle pain or allodynia in patients with craniofacial myalgia. ⋯ This study indicates that intramuscular injection of granisetron into the masseter muscle increases the PPT in healthy participants and in patients with craniofacial myalgia.