European journal of pain : EJP
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To assess the long-term efficacy of neurostimulation for treating refractory angina pectoris-like chest pain, we followed patients, treated with either transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or spinal cord stimulation (SCS). ⋯ Neurostimulation techniques should thus be of widespread value for treating angina pectoris-like chest pain in patients who are refractory to medication.
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A cognitive behavioural account of chronic low back pain (CLBP) proposes that the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional disability is mediated by fear of movement/(re)injury. Several clinical studies already demonstrated the contribution of pain catastrophizing and fear of movement/(re)injury in the development and maintenance of CLBP. This study included people with low back pain (LBP) in the general population, and aimed to investigate whether fear of movement/(re)injury mediated the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional disability, by examining several prerequisites for mediation. ⋯ However, pain catastrophizing was significantly related to fear of movement/(re)injury 6 months later, above and beyond other contributing variables such as fear of movement/(re)injury already present at baseline. On its turn, fear of movement/(re)injury was related to functional disability, in addition to pain intensity. Although this study leaves some indistinctness concerning the actual relationships between pain catastrophizing, fear of movement/(re)injury, and functional disability, it does provide some evidence for the contributing role of these factors in LBP in the general population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Continuous brachial plexus blockade in combination with the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine prevents phantom pain in acute traumatic upper limb amputees.
Hyperexcitability of N-methyl-d-aspartate acid (NMDA) receptors may play an important role in the development of phantom limb pain (PLP). ⋯ We conclude that memantine can reduce intensity of phantom limb pain and might also prevent the development of PLP. However, despite the very early begin of treatment; no long-term effect on established PLP was evident.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of pulsed radiofrequency with conventional radiofrequency in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was to evaluate the effect of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in comparison with conventional radiofrequency (CRF) in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. A total of 40 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were included. The 20 patients in each group were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. ⋯ At the end of 3 months, we decided to perform CRF in Group 2, because all patients in this group still had intractable pain. After the CRF treatment, the median VAS score decreased (p<0.001) and PSS improved (p<0.001) significantly. In conclusion, the results of our study demonstrate that unlike CRF, PRF is not an effective method of pain treatment for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Cross-sectional evaluation of patient functioning and health-related quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain under standard care conditions.
The purpose of this cross-sectional evaluation was to determine the impact of neuropathic pain (NeP) on patient functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) under standard care conditions. ⋯ Under standard care conditions, neuropathic and mixed pain are associated with impaired physical and mental QoL, producing a substantial level of disability in these patients.