Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2013
ReviewPsychometric properties of instruments used to measure fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer: a systematic review.
Despite the recognized distressing symptom of fatigue in children with cancer, little information is available to assist in the selection of an instrument to be used to measure fatigue. ⋯ Either the Fatigue Scale or PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale can be incorporated into clinical research. Future research should focus on identifying specific fatigue measures more suited to different purposes such as comparative trials or identification of high-risk groups.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral docusate in the management of constipation in hospice patients.
The stool softener docusate is widely used in the management of constipation in hospice patients. There is little experimental evidence to support this practice, and no randomized trials have been conducted in the hospice setting. ⋯ There was no significant benefit of docusate plus sennosides compared with placebo plus sennosides in managing constipation in hospice patients. Docusate use should be considered on an individual basis.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized double-blind trial of sublingual atropine vs. placebo for the management of death rattle.
Noisy breathing because of respiratory tract secretions (RTS), often referred to as "death rattle," occurs in up to half of all dying patients. Despite a lack of evidence showing benefit compared with placebo, antimuscarinic medications have been used in an attempt to decrease noise associated with RTS and to decrease family distress. ⋯ Sublingual atropine given as a single dose was not more effective than placebo in reducing the noise associated with death rattle.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2013
Cross-cultural translation and adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the paediatric pain profile in children with severe cerebral palsy.
Pain is a prevalent symptom in children with severe cerebral palsy (CSCP), mainly as a result of the progression of muscle contractures, bone deformities, gastroesophageal reflux, and recurrent infections. Considering the lack of verbal communication in this population, both pain diagnosis and assessment of the analgesic treatment are often neglected. Although the Paediatric Pain Profile (PPP), an instrument with 20 items, is used to assess behavior indicative of pain in CSCP, it is not validated in Brazil. ⋯ The adapted version of the PPP in Brazilian Portuguese demonstrated good internal consistency (similar to the original instrument) and stability over time, decisive for the next step of clinical validation for CSCP.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2013
Pharmacologic management of non-cancer pain among nursing home residents.
Pain is common in nursing home settings. ⋯ Some improvements in pharmacologic management of pain in NHs have been realized. Yet, presence of pain without scheduled analgesics prescribed was still common. Evidence-based procedures to assure adherence to clinical practice guidelines for pain management in this setting are warranted.