Der Schmerz
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Clinical study PEPCA : The effect of standardized preoperative patient education for patient-controlled regional analgesia on postoperative pain].
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a well-established form of postoperative pain management. One form of administration is patient-controlled regional analgesia (PCRA), where local anesthetics are administered via peripheral regional catheters; however, a prerequisite is that the patients are instructed on its use. A multitude of sources recommend that these instructions are given before surgery as preoperative training on pain management procedures has been shown to significantly reduce patients' postoperative pain and increase their well-being. ⋯ A significant reduction of pain in the IG could not be shown. Further studies concerning this topic with larger samples and adapted points in time are recommended.
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Disorders of the upper cervical spine, most notably lesions of the alar ligament and atlas block, are associated with numerous symptoms, especially as reported in the lay press. Thus, physicians are often confronted with patients who see in them a monocausal origin of complex complaints and hope for a quick remedy. ⋯ The importance of alar ligament lesions has often been overrated in the past; however, a more nuanced multifactorial understanding of the disorder should be conveyed to the patient. An atlas block should be considered mainly as a possible cause of pain and restricted range of motion of the cervical spine and in this context manual therapy can be an effective treatment option.
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Palliative sedation aims to relieve refractory suffering in patients with life-limiting disease. The 2009 framework on palliative sedation of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) has recently been updated. Recommendations have also been formulated by the research group SedPall in Germany. ⋯ The decision on palliative sedation and that on hydration involve two separate decision-making processes. Midazolam should be used as first choice. Particular attention should be paid to the patient's relatives/significant others and the treating team.
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The transition from acute to non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is especially associated with psychological factors. However, working mechanisms of psychological factors have been little examined in non-specific CLBP, especially the mediator effect of pain self-efficacy. ⋯ To improve the success of work-related rehabilitation in the long-term, pain self-efficacy in particular, but also depressive symptoms should be targeted by treatments of non-specific CLBP.