Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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To describe the method and clinical efficacy of awake computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) as a treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). ⋯ This new awake CT-guided PBC technique produces better outcomes than the traditional PBC under fluoroscopy guidance and general anesthesia.
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Diagnosis of Achilles insertional tendinopathies (AIT) is based on pain by tendon palpation. However, there is no consensus or standard with regard to the amount of force to be used during the evaluation. Algometry is a method of measuring the pressure applied in a specific region and can be a method for determining diagnosis values. ⋯ Algometry was shown to be a simple and reliable method for diagnosing AIT. Values of PT less than 4.08 kgf were found to be predictors of the disease.
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Traditional knowledge dissemination methods have been ineffective in leading to timely and widespread changes in clinical practice. Social media have the potential to reach broader audiences than more traditional methods that disseminate research findings. We evaluated the effectiveness of using social media to mobilize knowledge about pain in dementia. ⋯ The findings have implications for closing the knowledge-to-practice gap in dementia care through faster mobilization of scientific findings. Our campaign compares favorably with other health information dissemination initiatives. The methodologies used in the study could serve as a framework for the development of social media initiatives in other health disciplines.
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Research suggests that ethnicity is a predictor of pain-related outcomes; however, studies comparing the differences in experimental pain sensitivity between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) are scarce. This study investigated these differences between Hispanics and NHW from the U.S.- Mexico border. ⋯ The experimental pain sensitivity and psychosocial factors included in this study differed by ethnic group, where Hispanics reported significantly higher pain ratings, when compared with NHW. However, ethnic identity and acculturation were not associated with these pain-related outcomes. Overall, enhanced understanding by clinicians of pain sensitivity and disparities in the pain experience between ethnic groups allows for increased cultural sensitivity and can be used to optimize pain treatment on an individual-by-individual basis.