Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Clinical Trial
Modulation of central hypersensitivity by nociceptive input in chronic pain after whiplash injury.
Chronic pain after whiplash injury is associated with hypersensitivity of the central nervous system to peripheral stimulation. It is unclear whether central hypersensitivity is modulated by peripheral nociceptive input. We hypothesized that changes in nociceptive input would correlate with changes in magnitude of central hypersensitivity. ⋯ Different mechanisms underlie hyperalgesia localized at areas surrounding the site of pain and hyperalgesia generalized to distant body areas. Central hypersensitivity as a determinant of neck pain is probably a dynamic condition that is influenced by the presence and activity of a nociceptive focus.
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This is a structured, evidence-based review of all available studies on the potential effectiveness of the atypical neuroleptics for the treatment of pain (analgesia). To determine what evidence, if any, exists for, or against, the effectiveness of the atypical neuroleptics for analgesia. ⋯ Based on the above results, it was concluded that the reviewed data were generally consistent, suggesting that some of the atypicals may have an analgesic effect. There were, however, few double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, and many of the reports/studies had less than 50 patients. As such, this question requires further research.
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To describe the longitudinal course of depressive symptoms and pain experienced by continuing care retirement community (CCRC) residents and to investigate the impact of comorbid chronic activity-limiting pain and chronic high depressive symptoms on physical functioning and health service use. ⋯ Pain and depressive symptoms were both common and appeared remarkably stable over time. Depressive symptoms contributed significantly to the prediction of impairment associated with pain, and identification and treatment of such symptoms, even minor symptoms, could reduce pain-related impairment and health care costs in the elderly.
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This study aimed to test the reliability and validity of physician ratings in a broadly defined sample of women with vulvodynia and to examine the external validity of the vulvodynia subtypes. ⋯ Findings from the present study suggest that physician ratings for Friedrich's criteria can be operationalized and found to be reliable and valid in a wide range of women with vulvodynia. The absence of differences between subtypes on measures of pain, sexual function, psychological function, and quality of life challenge the clinical significance of these subtypes and support the theory that vulvodynia represents a continuum of chronic vulvar pain rather than two distinct entities.