Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2013
ReviewOptimism and the experience of pain: benefits of seeing the glass as half full.
There is a strong body of literature that lends support to the health-promoting effects of an optimistic personality disposition, observed across various physical and psychological dimensions. In accordance with this evidence base, it has been suggested that optimism may positively influence the course and experience of pain. ⋯ This review highlights recent studies that have examined the effects of optimism on the pain experience using samples of individuals with clinically painful conditions, as well as healthy samples in laboratory settings. Furthermore, factors such as catastrophizing, hope, acceptance and coping strategies, which are thought to play a role in how optimism exerts its beneficial effects on pain, are also addressed.
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Neurostimulation techniques for the treatment of primary headache syndromes, particularly for chronic cluster headache (CCH), have received much interest in the recent years. Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) has yielded favourable clinical results, and is becoming a routine treatment for refractory chronic cluster headache in specialized centres. Meanwhile, other promising techniques, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation, are emerging. This article reviews the current state of clinical research for neurostimulation techniques for chronic cluster headache, and particularly the pros and cons of SCS and ONS.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRole of trigeminal microvascular decompression in the treatment of SUNCT and SUNA.
Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) are primary headache disorders. Evidence suggests that SUNCT/SUNA have similar pathophysiology to the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and involves the trigeminal autonomic reflex. ⋯ There is some evidence supporting microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve in selected patients who have medically refractory SUNCT/SUNA and a demonstrable ipsilateral aberrant vessel on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also consider what further investigations could be undertaken to assess the role of surgical interventions in the treatment of these often debilitating conditions.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2013
ReviewThe role of positive traits and pain catastrophizing in pain perception.
A variety of biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence pain. This article focuses on two distinct, but connected, psychological factors--positive personality traits and pain catastrophizing--and their link with pain perception in healthy and clinical populations. ⋯ Third, we outline the inverse relationship between positive traits and pain catastrophizing, and offer a model that explains the inverse link between positive traits and pain perception through lower pain catastrophizing. Finally, we discuss clinical practice recommendations based on the aforementioned relationships.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2013
ReviewHeadache attributed to cranial or cervical vascular disorders.
Cranial or cervical vascular disease is commonly associated with headaches. The descriptions may range from a thunderclap onset of a subarachnoid hemorrhage to a phenotype similar to tension type headache. Occasionally, this may be the sole manifestation of a potentially serious underlying disorder like vasculitis. ⋯ Prompt recognition and treatment is usually needed for many conditions to avoid permanent sequelae that result in disability. Treatments for many conditions remain challenging and are frequently controversial due to paucity of well controlled studies. This is a review of the recent advances that have been made in the diagnosis or management of these secondary headaches.