European journal of pain : EJP
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
General versus pain-specific cognitions: Pain catastrophizing but not optimism influences conditioned pain modulation.
Previous studies found evidence that dispositional optimism is related to lower pain sensitivity. Recent findings suggest that temporarily increasing optimism by means of imagining a positive future may also have pain-alleviating effects. ⋯ Conditioned pain modulation is not the underlying mechanism of the pain-alleviating effects of induced optimism. However, pain-specific cognitions including pain catastrophizing and pain expectations affect endogenous pain modulation which should be taken into account in treatment and CPM research.
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Pain location and widespread pain are important but underexamined dimensions of paediatric pain. Body map tools to assess pain location in youth have been used for several decades, but few studies have established reliability and validity of these measures. The purpose of this study was to explore the reliability and validity of a pain body map among youth with orthopaedic conditions before surgery. ⋯ These results contribute to the limited information regarding psychometric properties of paediatric pain body maps, provide novel information about widespread pain among youth undergoing orthopaedic surgeries, and pave the way for improved assessment and treatment of paediatric pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, terbutaline, reduces UVB-induced mechanical sensitization in humans.
Previously, we found in cultures of primary neurons and in animals that sensitized primary neurons can be desensitized by treatment with e.g. beta-adrenergic receptor agonists. We now tested whether also in human sensitization such as UVB-radiation induced sunburn-like hyperalgesia can be reduced by intradermal injection of the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist terbutaline. ⋯ We previously showed in model systems that beta-adrenergic stimulation can not only sensitize but also desensitize nociceptors. Our study shows that also in humans beta-adrenergic agonists desensitize if injected into UVB-sensitized skin. This indicates an analgesic activity of adrenergic agonists in addition to their vasoconstrictory function.
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Wide international variation in the prevalence of disabling low back pain (LBP) among working populations is not explained by known risk factors. It would be useful to know whether the drivers of this variation are specific to the spine or factors that predispose to musculoskeletal pain more generally. ⋯ Our findings indicate that differences in general propensity to musculoskeletal pain are a major driver of large international variation in the prevalence of disabling low back pain among people of working age.