Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Spinal malignancy-related pain results from tumor, fracture, instability, inflammation, and/or nerve root/spinal cord compression. Systemic corticosteroids are commonly used but have many undesirable adverse effects that impact quality of life and continuation of cancer treatments. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) may be a viable alternative pain treatment. ⋯ There is inconclusive evidence to use ESIs to treat spinal malignancy-related pain in the current literature. Our retrospective review provides level III evidence for our conclusion that ESIs are safe and efficacious to treat spinal malignancy-related pain. Thoracic/lumbosacral injections led to significantly better pain relief compared with caudal injections.
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The reliability of pain assessment in frail and older adults has seldom been assessed. This study aims to assess the test-retest reliability of (1) the number of painful body sites, (2) pain intensity, and (3) pain extent in institutionalized older adults. ⋯ The vertical pain rating scale and the body chart seem reliable to assess pain intensity and number of pain sites, respectively. The wide CI for the ICC found for pain area and the high measurement error compromise its potential clinical relevance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparing pain neuroscience education followed by motor control exercises with group-based exercises for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Different individualized interventions have been used to improve chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, their superiority over group-based interventions has yet to be elucidated. We compared an individualized treatment involving pain neuroscience education (PNE) plus motor control exercise (MCE) with group-based exercise (GE) in patients with CLBP. ⋯ PNE and MCE seem to be better at reducing pain intensity and disability compared to GE, while no significant differences were observed for fear-avoidance beliefs and self-efficacy between the 2 groups in patients with CLBP. With regard to the superiority of individualized interventions over group-based ones, more studies are warranted.
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Clinical Trial
Long-term inhibition of soleus H-reflex with epidural adhesiolysis and pulsed radiofrequency in lumbosacral neuropathic pain.
Scientific data about neurophysiological changes subsequent to pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are still lacking. The goal of this study was to evaluate sural nerve conduction and Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) in soleus muscle following adhesiolysis and PRF in patients with unilateral chronic lumbosacral L5-S1 neuropathic radiating pain. ⋯ Epidural adhesiolysis and PRF of the dorsal root ganglion seem to significantly affect spinal reflexes in patients with lumbosacral neuropathic radiating pain.
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Meta Analysis
Effect of Melatonin on Postoperative Pain and Perioperative Opioid Use: A Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.
We performed this meta-analysis in order to assess the effect of melatonin on postoperative pain and perioperative opioid consumption. ⋯ Given the low quality of evidence, minor degree of VAS score reduction, and inconclusive trial sequential analysis of postoperative opioid consumption, this meta-analysis neither supports nor opposes the effect of melatonin on postoperative pain.