Articles: chronic-pain.
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SUMMARY The assessment and treatment of chronic pain remains an international challenge for healthcare providers among aging patients and rising healthcare costs. This article provides a brief overview of studies on the use of electronic pain diaries and innovative software programs for pain assessment and monitoring among providers and persons with chronic pain. The advent of software pain monitoring programs on smart phones, personal digital assistants and internet-based tracking allow for the collection of large datasets of momentary data to better assist in the management of chronic pain. ⋯ Furthermore, 3D pain mapping programs can enable patients to represent the location and intensity of their pain with greater accuracy. However, despite the benefits, there are a number of barriers to incorporating electronic pain assessment into daily clinical practice. Additional control trials and clinical investigations are needed to demonstrate the efficacy and benefit of electronic pain assessment over and above standard practices.
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Clin Psychol Psychother · Jul 2011
Acceptance of pain, self-compassion and psychopathology: using the chronic pain acceptance questionnaire to identify patients' subgroups.
The present study explores whether specific subgroups of patients could be identified based on Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire scores. A battery of self-report questionnaire was used to assess acceptance of pain, self-compassion and psychopathology in 103 participants with chronic pain, from Portuguese health care units. K-Means cluster were performed and the results supported three subgroups of patients (low acceptance subgroup; high acceptance subgroup; intermediate subgroup with activity engagement near to the mean and low willingness to pain). ⋯ In what concerns self-compassion, the low acceptance subgroup reported higher self-judgment, isolation and over identification, compared with the intermediate subgroup. These subgroups also differed from each other in common humanity and mindfulness. Implications and clinical utility of the results were discussed, suggesting the increase of willingness to pain as an important key in chronic pain interventions.
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Das Gesundheitswesen · Jul 2011
[Use of health insurance data to analyse pain management practices in the nursing-home setting].
Pain is the most common health-related complaint in older persons. International estimations mention up to 80% of nursing home residents suffering from pain. In the meantime, no reliable epidemiological data on pain in nursing home residents are available for Germany, because of restricted access to the nursing-home population. ⋯ Prevalence rate and numbers of prescriptions were as frequent as expected. The routine method for this analysis proved to be practicable and reliable. Data quality is deemed sufficient so that the main study will proceed to include a longer period of time and additional data.
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Prolotherapy is a technique that involves the injection of an irritant, usually a hyperosmolar dextrose solution, typically in the treatment of chronic painful musculoskeletal conditions. Despite its long history and widespread use as a form of complementary therapy, there still are disparities over its optimal indications and injection preparations. There are, however, numerous studies available regarding the use and efficacy of prolotherapy for various musculoskeletal conditions. ⋯ Additional larger, randomized controlled trials are needed to make specific recommendations regarding ideal protocols and indications. There is emerging evidence for the use of prolotherapy as a treatment option for osteoarthritis; however, further studies are needed to conclusively demonstrate its efficacy. Overall, prolotherapy remains a promising option for the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, particularly when other standard treatments have proved ineffective.