European journal of pain : EJP
-
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder of unknown aetiopathogenesis, in which the role of activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is not clearly established. ⋯ This is the first study to assess hair cortisol concentrations in a specific sample of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). This method is especially useful for the assessment of long-term regular cortisol excretion. Results showed a two-component model for explaining cortisol levels: disease chronicity, with a negative effect, and symptom severity, with a positive effect. This suggests that severe pain/stress evokes higher cortisol levels at earlier stages of FM, while in the longer term a decrease in cortisol levels was observed.
-
People with chronic pain are frequently exposed to stigma, which is typically distressing and may lead to internal stigmatizing thoughts. The thought content associated with stigma has similarities to pain catastrophizing, although these concepts differ in that stigma is arguably more social in origin. Stigma can be measured by the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness - 8-item version (SSCI-8). In this study, we first demonstrate the validity of this measure in Swedish. We then examine the role of stigma in the health and functioning of people with chronic pain, particularly beyond the role played by pain catastrophizing. ⋯ This study points to the importance of a social perspective on pain-related outcomes. We may need to more fully appreciate the way that people with chronic pain are treated by both health care providers and others can have an impact on their well-being. Potential negative impacts of stigmatizing responses to people with chronic pain are highlighted by the current results.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Placebo analgesia in physical and psychological interventions: Systematic review and meta-analysis of three-armed trials.
The magnitude of placebo effects from physical and psychological 'sham' is unknown but could impact efficacy trials and treatment understanding. To quantify placebo effects, this systematic review of three-armed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of physical and psychological interventions for pain compared outcomes in 'sham' control intervention and non-exposure arms. ⋯ This systematic review directly quantifies placebo effects from physical and psychological 'sham' control interventions and compares them to treatments' overall effectiveness. By doing so, the review enhances our understanding of placebo effects, their relative contribution in clinical trials, and their susceptibly to trial design. It poses further questions regarding the influence of blinding, participant expectations, and features of the therapeutic context. Overall, the insights provided by this review carry methodological significance and are important for the interpretation and synthesis of efficacy trials in this field.
-
Review Meta Analysis
The effect of self-management techniques on relevant outcomes in chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Among many treatment approaches for chronic low back pain (CLBP), self-management techniques are becoming increasingly important. The aim of this paper was to (a) provide an overview of existing digital self-help interventions for CLBP and (b) examine the effect of these interventions in reducing pain intensity, pain catastrophizing and pain disability. ⋯ This meta-analysis examines the effect of digital self-management techniques in patients with CLBP. The results add to the evidence that digital interventions can help patients reduce their pain intensity and disability. A minority of studies point towards the possibility that digital interventions can reduce pain catastrophizing. Future research should further explore which patients benefit most from these kinds of interventions.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of cervical stabilization training in patients with headache: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cervical Stabilization Training (CST) on the headache, neck pain and cervical musculoskeletal system in patients with headache compared to the control group. ⋯ The CST improved the headache frequency, duration and intensity, neck pain intensity, cervical posture, activation of deep cervical flexor muscles and endurance of cervical muscles in patients with headache. In addition, improvements in the cervical musculoskeletal system contributed to a reduction in the intensity of headaches and neck pain. Therefore, CST may be preferred in the treatment of headaches, especially with coexisting neck pain.