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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Fear of pain (FOP) has been recognized as an influential moderator and determinant of the perception and disability of chronic pain. However, studies on FOP in postoperative acute pain are few and inconsistent. ⋯ Both trait FOP and state FOP were associated with higher postoperative pain reports after thoracic surgery. Trait FOP influences postoperative pain through the mediating effect of state FOP.
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by spontaneous chronic widespread pain in combination with hyperalgesia to pressure stimuli. Sound-induced flash illusions (SIFIs) reflect cross-modal interactions between senses allowing to assess a visual cortical hoerexcitability (VCH) by evaluating the fission and fusion illusions disruption. The aims of the present study were to explore whether SIFIs are perceived differently in patients with fibromyalgia as compared to healthy controls (HCs) and how migraine affects fission and fusion illusions in fibromyalgia. ⋯ Results from this study confirm that patients with FM have a VCH suggesting that the pathological changes in cortical excitability might have important roles in the pathophysiology of FM. SIFI represents a noninvasive behavioral tool for the exploration of cross-sensory functional interplay.
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Dexamethasone could be an effective prophylactic agent for the prevention of pain flares after palliative radiotherapy (RT) for uncomplicated bone metastases. To date, there are no data on its prophylactic coanalgesic (opioid-sparing) effect after RT in patients with complicated bone metastases compared to uncomplicated ones, which is the aim of our study. ⋯ Irrespective of the supporting evidence of dexamethasone potential for prevention of RT-induced pain flare, our data failed to reveal its efficacy in the real practice world (a case mix of uncomplicated and complicated bone metastases). Further dose-effect bigger studies are needed, identifying optimal doses of dexamethasone intake and its optimal duration in high-risk patients.
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Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is not a single diagnosis, but a term covering a group of conditions that involve pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. It is a set of disease entities comprising various ailments and clinical symptoms. One of the most distressing symptoms for TMD patients is pain. ⋯ Treatment using ELF-MF and ELF-MF in combination with LED light in the course of TMD brings about a significant improvement in the subjective pain experience expressed in VAS pain scores. The use of selected physical stimuli and their beneficial effect on pain symptoms during mandibular movements has important implications for patients' daily life and work. Incorporation of therapeutic methods can help enhance patient satisfaction and comfort during manual TMJ therapy and lengthy dental procedures.