European journal of pain : EJP
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Persistent postoperative pain is a major health problem affecting nearly 30% of all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between the intensity of acute postoperative pain and persistent pain, but this association might be an epiphenomenon of insufficient intraoperative analgesia. In this study, we investigated the association between the intraoperative level of analgesia and the persistent postoperative pain 6 months after surgery. ⋯ Our study suggests that lower doses of intraoperative analgesia are associated with higher levels of persistent postoperative pain. Persistent pain may be caused by intraoperative nociception, which is likely not adequately suppressed using current clinical standard analgesic measures.
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Cognitive appraisals, most notably pain catastrophizing, play an important role in chronic pain. The role of metacognition and its impact on the relationship between pain catastrophizing and health are understudied. The identification of metacognition as a moderator of psychological constructs may have clinical and empirical implications. We hypothesized that negative metacognitive beliefs would moderate the relationships between pain catastrophizing and emotional functioning and physical activity. ⋯ Findings highlight the need to better characterize the value of metacognitive beliefs as an important predictor and therapeutic target. Despite limited evidence of a dynamic relationship between metacognition and daily adjustment to chronic pain, results emphasize the potential importance of interventions that target cognitive appraisal process beyond catastrophizing, including uncontrollability and danger-laden thought patterns.
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Current medical treatments for chemotherapy-induced pain (CIP) are either ineffective or have adverse side effects. Acupuncture may alleviate CIP, but its effectiveness against this condition has not been studied. Paclitaxel causes neuropathic pain in cancer patients. ⋯ Electroacupuncture (EA) activates spinal 5-HT1A receptors to inhibit p-CaMKII to alleviate paclitaxel-induced pain. Acupuncture/EA may be used as a complementary therapy for CIP.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for relief of spinal pain.
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis analysing the existing data on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or interferential current (IFC) for chronic low back pain (CLBP) and/or neck pain (CNP) taking into account intensity and timing of stimulation, examining pain, function and disability. Seven electronic databases were searched for TENS or IFC treatment in non-specific CLBP or CNP. Four reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TENS or IFC intervention in adult individuals with non-specific CLBP or CNP. ⋯ Analysis for adequate stimulation parameters was not significantly different, and there was no effect on disability. This systematic review provides inconclusive evidence of TENS benefits in low back pain patients because the quality of the studies was low, and adequate parameters and timing of assessment were not uniformly used or reported. Without additional high-quality clinical trials using sufficient sample sizes and adequate parameters and outcome assessments, the outcomes of this review are likely to remain unchanged.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Superiority of capsaicin 8% patch versus oral pregabalin on dynamic mechanical allodynia in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain.
Dynamic Mechanical Allodynia (DMA) is a typical symptom of neuropathic pain (NP). In a recent study, the capsaicin 8% patch was noninferior to pregabalin in overall peripheral NP relief. In this study, we report the comparison of the two treatments in relieving DMA. ⋯ The superiority of a topical treatment over pregabalin in relieving DMA supports the view that both peripheral and central sensitization can mediate allodynia.