Articles: pain-measurement.
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Observational Study
The Algoplus Score to Assess Acute Postoperative pain in Elderly patients-A Pilot Observational Study.
Standard verbal or analogue scales may not be accurate to assess acute postoperative pain in elderly patients. This study was designed to field test the Algoplus tool, developed specifically for this population and based on observation of patient behavior. Prospective, observational cohort. ⋯ When the NRS score exceeded 3/10, indicating the need for analgesic intervention, the Algoplus score was generally lower than the recommended trigger for analgesia (2/5). These results are promising, but further evidence of a clinical benefit to the use of Algoplus for acute postoperative pain is needed. In future studies, scoring should be adjusted to take into account the time from extubation, the state of sedation, and the patient's gender in order to interpret results.
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Comparative Study
Determination of the painful level in osteoporotic vertebral fractures--Retrospective comparison between plain film, bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Determining the actual painful vertebral level is difficult when evaluating osteoporotic vertebral fracture, especially when there are acute and chronic fractures simultaneously. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated and compared the findings between plain film, bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of new fracture in osteoporotic vertebral fractures. ⋯ For patients with single-level compression fracture, the painful level in osteoporotic vertebral fractures can be determined by plain film and bone scan testing. Vacuum cleft sign noted on plain film may be enough to localize the level of pain. However, MRI testing is further needed in multiple osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients.
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Little is known about the physiologic mechanism of dry needling. While some evidence suggests that dry needling may decrease nocioceptive sensitivity and facilitate muscle function, no studies to date have examined these physiologic changes compared to clinical outcomes. ⋯ Our results suggest that there may be lasting and clinically relevant sensorimotor changes that occur in LBP patients that improve with dry needling treatment that partially explain the physiologic mechanism of action.