Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 100,000 Americans, the majority of whom are African American. SCD-related pain often has deleterious effects on functioning and quality of life. The inherited nature of SCD, SCD-related stigma, and serious physical and functional impact of SCD-related pain create a situation ripe for individuals to appraise their SCD-related pain as unfair or unjust. The aim of this preliminary investigation is to explore the extent to which pediatric patients with SCD appraise their pain as unjust and how these appraisals relate to functioning. ⋯ These findings suggest that pain-related injustice appraisals are an important contributor to the pain experience of youth with SCD. Early identification and remediation of pain-related injustice appraisals could have long-term functional benefits for youth with SCD.
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To investigate the efficacy of repeated application of capsaicin 179 mg cutaneous patch in nonresponders to the first application. ⋯ Although some patients with peripheral neuropathic pain experience rapid improvements with a single treatment of capsaicin 179 mg patch, some may require two or three treatments before an initial response is observed. Similar benefits for pain, sleep, and QOL can be achieved in early and late responders.
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Meta Analysis
Effects of abdominal binders on postoperative pain and functional recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of abdominal binders (ABs) on postoperative pain and functional recovery in patients receiving abdominal surgery. ⋯ ABs probably improve postoperative pain and physical function, especially on the fourth day or more following abdominal surgery, but they have no effects on pulmonary function.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ultrasound Versus Fluoroscopy for Stellate Ganglion Block: A Cadaveric Study.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder. Recent investigations have demonstrated effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) for reducing symptoms associated with PTSD. Both fluoroscopic guided and ultrasound guided SGB have been described and are regularly used in clinical practice. This study sought to evaluate differences in block performance when comparing fluoroscopic versus ultrasound guided SGB. ⋯ While there appeared to be a trend favoring ultrasound guidance, no statistical significance was achieved. This was likely due to this being a limited pilot study. Numerous limitations exist in cadaveric studies, and future investigations should be completed to further study this comparison. That said, the use of the SGB may provide significant relief for patients suffering with PTSD.