Pain research & management : the journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur
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Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache and its chronic form, chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), is one of the most difficult to treat. The etiology of CTTH is not well understood, but is believed to be multifactorial and to vary among individuals. In the present study, the authors sought to identify common mechanisms of CTTH pathology. Empirical studies have implicated various immunomodulatory cytokines as mediators of chronic pain disorders, including CTTH. ⋯ These findings suggest that increases in key proinflammatory cytokine levels are associated with CTTH and the pathology of the disorder involves sterile neurovascular inflammation.
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There is considerable variability in infants' responses to painful stimuli, including facial and vocal expressions. This variability in pain-related distress response may be an indicator of temperament styles in childhood. ⋯ Pain-related distress regulation at one year of age appears to be a novel indicator of parent report of temperament ratings. Pain outcomes in the first six months of life were not related to parent temperament ratings.
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Observational Study
Validation and evaluation of two observational pain assessment tools in a trauma and neurosurgical intensive care unit.
Studies have demonstrated that patients in the intensive care unit experience high levels of pain. While many of these patients are nonverbal at some point during their stay, there are few valid tools available to assess pain in this group. ⋯ While the present study supports the use of the CPOT and the NVPS-R with critically ill trauma and neurosurgical patients, further research should explore the role of vital signs in pain.
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Reliable evidence detailing effective treatments and management practices for chronic noncancer pain exists. However, little is known about which knowledge translation (KT) interventions lead to the uptake of this evidence in practice. ⋯ KT interventions incorporating interactive education in chronic noncancer pain led to positive effects on patients' function and knowledge about pain. Future studies should provide implementation details and use consistent theoretical frameworks to better estimate the effectiveness of such interventions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reduction of pain thresholds in fibromyalgia after very low-intensity magnetic stimulation: a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields has been reported to have analgesic and antinociceptive effects in several organisms. ⋯ Very low-intensity magnetic stimulation may represent a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.