Articles: pain-management-methods.
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Venipuncture is one of the most painful and distressing procedure experienced by pediatric patients. Evidence suggests that distraction combined with age-appropriate procedural information can effectively decrease procedural pain and anxiety in pediatric patients. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) can simultaneously provide complete distraction and procedural information to patients. ⋯ This study is the first of its kind to adopt IVR intervention with age-appropriate procedural information for pediatric patients undergoing venipuncture. Findings of the proposed study may: (1) provide a novel, facile, and cost-effective intervention that can be used virtually at any time and place to manage pain and anxiety; and (2) shed light on the global trends of research and clinical development of IVR as an intervention for other painful and stressful medical procedures.
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In our recent clinical trial, increased peripheral concentrations of pro-inflammatory molecular mediators were determined in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients. After 3 months adjunctive unilateral, selective L4 dorsal root ganglion stimulation (L4-DRGSTIM), significantly decreased serum IL-10 and increased saliva oxytocin levels were assessed along with an improved pain and functional state. The current study extended molecular profiling towards gene expression analysis of genes known to be involved in the gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor and neuroinflammatory (cytokines/chemokines) signaling pathways. ⋯ In our sub-group analysis of L4-DRGSTIM treated CRPS patients, we found either upregulated or downregulated genes involved in immunoinflammatory circuits relevant for the pathophysiology of CRPS indicating a possible relation. However, large biobank-based approaches are recommended to establish genetic phenotyping as a quantitative outcome measure in CRPS patients. Trial registration The study protocol was registered at the 15.11.2016 on German Register for Clinical Trials (DRKS ID 00011267). https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011267.
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Case Reports
Continuous Bilateral Erector of Spine Plane Block at T8 for Extensive Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery: Case Report.
Supplementary strategies, in combination with conventional analgesia, for pain control after lumbar fusion surgery remain limited. ⋯ A 79-year-old woman experienced excruciating pain on post-operative day 1 after undergoing L2 to S1 spine fusion. Bilateral continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks were performed at T8 and, after a bolus of ropivacaine 0.2% (20 mL) per side, a continuous infusion (5 mL/hour) of ropivacaine 0.2% per side was maintained for 48 hours, which provided effective analgesia. During this period, two boluses (15 mL) per day of ropivacaine 0.2% were administered bilaterally to maintain optimal analgesia. ESP catheterizations at T8, placed remotely from surgical site, may be considered in extensive lumbar spinal fusion cases.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Nerve Root Block for the Treatment of Acute Cervical Herpes Zoster: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided cervical nerve root block (CRB) on acute pain and its preventive effects on post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in patients with cervical herpes zoster (HZ). ⋯ Ultrasound-guided CRB represented an early intervention and preventive strategy to reduce the BOI due to acute HZ in the cervical dermatome region, and might be feasible to reduce the incidence of PHN.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Outcome of a High-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (hfTENS) Device for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
This controlled trial examined the benefit of a high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (hfTENS) device (the Quell, NeuroMetrix, Inc., Waltham, MA, U.S.A.) for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ These results suggest that hfTENS can have a moderate effect in reducing pain and improving quality of life in low back pain patients. Further trials designed to determine the mechanism of action of the hfTENS are needed.