Pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia induced by intramuscular injection of serotonin in patients with fibromyalgia and healthy individuals.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of injection of serotonin (5-HT) into the masseter muscle on pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia. Twelve female patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 12 age-matched female healthy individuals (HI) participated in the study. The current pain intensity (CPI) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the superficial masseter muscles were assessed bilaterally. 5-HT in one of three randomized concentrations (10(-3), 10(-5), 10(-7) M) or isotonic saline was then injected into either of the two masseter muscles in a double-blind manner. ⋯ In the HI-group pain developed significantly after injection irrespective of whether 5-HT or saline was injected, but significantly more so after 5-HT at 10(-3) M than saline injection. CPI decreased quickly and then remained on a very low level for most of the experiment. 5-HT at both 10(-5) M and 10(-3) M caused a significantly greater decrease of PPT than saline. In conclusion, our results show that 5-HT injected into the masseter muscle of healthy female subjects elicits pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia, while no such responses occur in patients with fibromyalgia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The cognitive and psychomotor effects of morphine in healthy subjects: a randomized controlled trial of repeated (four) oral doses of dextropropoxyphene, morphine, lorazepam and placebo.
Ten healthy subjects (four male) of mean age 31 years (range 25-40) took part in a randomized double-blind four-way crossover study to examine the cognitive and psychomotor effects of repeated oral doses of dextropropoxyphene and morphine. Four treatments were compared: dextropropoxyphene napsylate 100 mg, morphine sulphate 10 mg, lorazepam 0.5 mg and placebo. Four doses of each drug were given at 4-h intervals to each subject on four separate study days at least 1 week apart. ⋯ Dextropropoxyphene impaired performance on choice reaction time and picture recognition. These data show that oral morphine may enhance performance in some measures of cognitive function, whereas dextropropoxyphene (in usual therapeutic doses) seems more likely to cause impairment. Neither opioid has substantial effects on cognition and psychomotor function compared with lorazepam.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Low-dose lidocaine reduces secondary hyperalgesia by a central mode of action.
Sodium channel blockers are approved for intravenous administration in the treatment of neuropathic pain states. Preclinical studies have suggested antihyperalgesic effects on the peripheral as well as the central nervous system. The objective of this study was to determine mechanisms of action of low-dose lidocaine in experimental induced, secondary hyperalgesia. ⋯ In contrast, capsaicin-induced flare was significantly decreased after both treatments. We conclude that systemic lidocaine reduces pin-prick hyperalgesia by a central mode of action, which could involve blockade of terminal branches of nociceptors. A possible role for tetrodotoxin resistant sodium channels in the antihyperalgesic effect of low-dose lidocaine is discussed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Avoidance versus focused attention and the perception of pain: differential effects for men and women.
The aim of the current investigation was to compare the effects of two different attentional strategies (focused vs. avoidance) on how males and females respond to experimentally induced pain. One hundred healthy adults were instructed to either attend towards or away from cold pressor pain. Measures of pain tolerance, pain threshold and recovery were taken, as were self-report measures of sensory and affective pain experiences. ⋯ With respect to the self-report measures, males reported less sensory pain when they attended toward the pain than when they avoided it. However, a similar effect was not found in women, suggesting that attentional focusing may only be a useful strategy for males. These results are discussed in light of previous research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparative trial of botulinum toxin type A and methylprednisolone for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome and pain from chronic muscle spasm.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common illness, characterised by acute or chronic focal pain, muscle stiffness and fatigue. The pathophysiology of MPS remains unclear. Previous preliminary studies have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of the muscle relaxant botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the treatment of MPS. ⋯ At 60 days post-injection, the pain severity score for the BTX-A-treated patients was statistically significantly lower than the pain score for the steroid-treated population (2.3 vs. 4.9). Furthermore, the reduction in pain score in the BTX-A group at 60 days post-injection was greater than at 30 days (-5.5 vs. -3.9), whereas the effect of the steroid had begun to wane. These results indicate the superior efficacy of BTX-A over conventional steroid treatment in patients suffering from MPS, when combined with appropriate physiotherapy.