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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It is reported that impaired postural control in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) was associated with "core" trunk muscle incoordination. However, as the diaphragm is an important component of the "core" deep trunk muscle group, we still know little about the potential relationship between diaphragm dysfunction and NCLBP. ⋯ The diaphragm morphological structure and function were changed in young and middle-aged subjects with NCLBP, while the diaphragm thickness change rate (T rate) and diaphragm thickness at the end of expiration (T exp) may be conductive to the occurrence of NCLBP. Furthermore, these findings may suggest that abnormal diaphragm reeducation is necessary for the rehabilitation of patients with NCLBP.
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To compare the viability of the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) as a pain assessment tools among a large cohort of patients who underwent microdiscectomy. Summary of Background Data. The pain intensity (PI) reduction is a parameter of surgical treatment efficacy. The two most commonly used scales of PI are NRS and VAS. Many studies have shown strong similarities between those two scales, but the direct interchange is difficult. ⋯ The results showed that PI measurements by NRS-L/NRS-B and VAS mutually correlate and impair functionality evaluated by ODI (convergent validity) but in different modes (differential validity). NRS and VAS are not parallel scales and assess different aspects of pain. The measurement of NRS-L 1 month after microdiscectomy seems to give quick insight into the effectiveness of the procedure.
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Pain can alter muscle activity, although it is not clear how pain intensity and site location affect muscle activity. This study aimed to reveal the complex associations among the pain site, pain intensity/quality, muscle activity, and muscle activity distribution. ⋯ Our findings suggest the existence of a motor adaptation that suppresses muscle activity near the painful area as the pain intensity increases. Furthermore, the present study indicates that the presence or absence of this motor adaptation depended on the pain quality.
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Comorbid chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complicate the treatment of both conditions. Previous research has identified pain catastrophizing as a potentially important variable contributing to the relationship between chronic pain and PTSD. However, little is known regarding how the different dimensions of pain catastrophizing-rumination, magnification, and helplessness-uniquely contribute to the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and measures of pain outcome. ⋯ Pain catastrophizing is a multifaceted construct. These results suggest that the helplessness dimension of pain catastrophizing may be the primary target when treating patients with comorbid chronic pain and PTSD symptoms. This study represents the first to evaluate the influence of the individual dimensions of pain catastrophizing on the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and chronic pain outcome.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a clinical disease mainly characterized as a syndrome of abdominal pain and discomfort, which frequently occurs in humans aged 20-50. Abdomen massage is of great medical significance for the health of the human body, including promoting intestinal peristalsis, relieving constipation, and facilitating weight loss. However, its potential benefits in alleviating IBS and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. ⋯ Overall, our results suggested that abdominal massage produces a beneficial effect in improving the symptoms of IBS through reducing mast cell recruitment and attenuating the trypase-PAR2-PKCε pathway. Ketotifen could promote the effect of abdominal massage on IBS treatment, which can serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for IBS.