The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The heat/capsaicin sensitization model: a methodologic study.
The heat/capsaicin sensitization model induces cutaneous sensitization by using a combination of heat and topical capsaicin. It has been suggested that the stability and duration of the cutaneous sensitization are due to a synergistic effect between heat and capsaicin. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible synergistic effect between heat and capsaicin in inducing cutaneous sensitization. ⋯ The within day reproducibility was better with heat/capsaicin than with either stimulation alone. There was no synergistic or additive effect between heat and capsaicin in inducing cutaneous sensitization. Rekindling seems to be the important factor in maintaining stable and long-lasting cutaneous sensitization.
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Psychometric instruments that assess patient readiness to adopt pain management skills taught in multidisciplinary pain management programs have the potential to clarify interindividual responses to treatment. To date, however, such questionnaires have examined overall readiness to self-manage pain in general rather than readiness to adopt the various specific skills that are taught in multidisciplinary pain treatment. ⋯ The results provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of this instrument. Further research is needed to clarify the construct validity of the MPRCQ and its clinical utility.
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Review
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: basic science mechanisms and clinical effectiveness.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used clinically by a variety of health care professionals for the reduction of pain. Clinical effectiveness of TENS is controversial, with some studies supporting whereas others refute its clinical use. Although used by health professionals for decades, the mechanisms by which TENS produces analgesia or reduces pain are only recently being elucidated. ⋯ We also review the clinical literature on TENS effectiveness and elucidate the problems with clinical research studies to date. In conclusion, TENS is a noninvasive modality that is easy to apply with relatively few contraindications. However, the clinical efficacy of TENS will remain equivocal until the publication of sufficient numbers of high quality, randomized, controlled clinical trials.