Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
-
In recent decades, there has been a revision of the role of institutional review boards with the intention of protecting human subjects from harm and exploitation in research. Informed consent aims to protect the subject by explaining all of the benefits and risks associated with a specific research project. To date, there has not been a review published analyzing issues of informed consent in research in the field of genetic/Omics in subjects with chronic pain, and the current review aims to fill that gap in the ethical aspects of such investigation. ⋯ We see this contribution as an important one, for while ethical issues are too often ignored in pain research in general, the numerous arising ethical issues that are unique to pain genetic/Omics suggest that researchers in the field need to pay even greater attention to the rights of subjects/patients. This article presents the work of the Ethic Committee of the Pain-Omics Group (www.painomics.eu), a consortium of 11 centers that is running the Pain-Omics project funded by the European Community in the 7th Framework Program theme (HEALTH.2013.2.2.1-5-Understanding and controlling pain). The Ethic Committee is composed of 1 member of each group of the consortium as well as key opinion leaders in the field of ethics and pain more generally.
-
Clinical Trial
Focal Mechanical Vibration Does not Change Laser-Pain Perception and Laser-Evoked Potentials: A Pilot Study.
Nonpainful tactile and electrical stimulation of the large myelinated fibers reduces spontaneous pain and the amplitude of laser-evoked potentials (LEPs), which represent the most reliable technique to assess the nociceptive pathway function. Focal mechanical vibration stimulates the Aβ afferents selectively; thus, it is conceivable its action on nociceptive pathways. ⋯ We conclude that a vibratory stimulus is ineffective in reducing the laser-evoked potentials and laser-pain perception.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia in a Population of Chinese Patients.
Currently, there are limited options for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients in China. While pregabalin is an effective treatment option for PHN in several countries, there is limited information on its efficacy in Chinese patients. ⋯ Pregabalin improved measures of pain and sleep, and is well tolerated in Chinese patients with PHN. These results may inform physicians treating patients with PHN in China.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A Comparison of the Sensitivity of Brush Allodynia and Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Testing in the Detection of Allodynia Within Regions of Secondary Hyperalgesia in Humans.
Two of the most common Quantitative Sensory Techniques (QST) employed to detect allodynia include mechanical brush allodynia and Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. However, their relative sensitivity at detecting allodynia is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of brush allodynia against Semmes-Weinstein monofilament technique for detecting allodynia within regions of secondary hyperalgesia in humans. ⋯ Brush allodynia is more sensitive than Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments for detecting mechanical allodynia in regions of secondary hyperalgesia. Brush allodynia may be preferred over Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments for clinical applications requiring reliable detection of allodynia.
-
To identify validated measures that capture illness perception and behavior and have been used to assess people who have knee pain/osteoarthritis. ⋯ Several validated measures were interpreted as capturing some components, and only 1 measure was interpreted as capturing all of the components of illness perception and behavior in the target population. A measure that comprehensively captures illness perception and behavior could be valuable for informing and evaluating therapy for patients along a continuum of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.