Pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of preoperative oral dextromethorphan on immediate and late postoperative pain and hyperalgesia after total abdominal hysterectomy.
Dextromethorphan is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist known to inhibit wind-up and NMDA-mediated nociceptive responses of dorsal horn neurons. Experimental and clinical studies indicate that NMDA-receptor antagonists may potentiate the effect of analgesics such as morphine, local anesthetics and NSAIDs. Results from previous clinical studies of dextromethorphan in postoperative pain are conflicting, possibly related to administration of insufficient doses of the drug. ⋯ There were no significant differences in side-effects (nausea, vomiting, sedation). In conclusion, oral dextromethorphan 150 mg reduced PCA morphine consumption immediately (0-4 h) after hysterectomy, without prolonged effects on pain or wound hyperalgesia. A positive correlation between the magnitude of wound hyperalgesia at 24 h after operation, and total 24 h postoperative PCA morphine consumption was demonstrated.
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Meta Analysis
Teasing apart quality and validity in systematic reviews: an example from acupuncture trials in chronic neck and back pain.
The objectives of the study were (1) to carry out a systematic review to assess the analgesic efficacy and the adverse effects of acupuncture compared with placebo for back and neck pain and (2) to develop a new tool, the Oxford Pain Validity Scale (OPVS), to measure validity of findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and to enable ranking of trial findings according to validity within qualitative reviews. Published RCTs (of acupuncture at both traditional and non-traditional points) were identified from systematic searching of bibliographic databases (e.g. MEDLINE) and reference lists of retrieved reports. ⋯ OPVS is a useful tool for assessing the validity of trials in qualitative reviews. With acupuncture for chronic back and neck pain, we found that the most valid trials tended to be negative. There is no convincing evidence for the analgesic efficacy of acupuncture for back or neck pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Spatial mapping of the zone of secondary hyperalgesia reveals a gradual decline of pain with distance but sharp borders.
The purpose of this study was to examine how pain to punctate mechanical stimuli varies with position within the zone of secondary hyperalgesia. Secondary hyperalgesia was produced by an intradermal injection of capsaicin (50 microg) into the volar forearm of human volunteers (n=9). Before and at 20, 60 and 100 min after the capsaicin injection, a computer-controlled electromechanical stimulator was used to deliver controlled-force stimuli to the skin via a 12-mm wide, 100-microm thick blade probe. ⋯ This finding unlikely reflects a ceiling effect because pain ratings within the zone of secondary hyperalgesia increased linearly with force. The relatively uniform pain ratings to the blade stimuli within the zone of secondary hyperalgesia and the sharp border that delimits the zone of hyperalgesia indicate that this sensory disturbance approaches being an 'all-or-nothing' phenomenon. Thus, a two-state model for central plasticity is needed to explain secondary hyperalgesia.
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Clinical Trial
Evidence for increased plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide in migraine outside of attacks.
Although calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been shown to be elevated in jugular venous blood of adult migraineurs during acute migraine attacks, it remains unknown whether CGRP is increased outside of attacks in jugular or cubital venous blood. The aim of the present study was to compare interictal plasma levels of CGRP in adult migraine patients and in healthy controls. Twenty patients with a diagnosis of migraine with or without aura and 20 healthy controls were included. ⋯ The findings could not be explained by confounding factors such as age, sex or use of contraceptive pills. We therefore conclude that CGRP is increased in cubital venous blood of migraineurs outside of attack. It is hypothesized that this finding may reflect a long-lasting or permanent abnormal neurogenic vascular control in patients with migraine.
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Clinical Trial
Towards an objective quantitative assessment of daily functioning in migraine: a feasibility study.
Migraine is a chronic disabling disorder, with migraine episodes significantly reducing quality of life and leading to impaired functioning (physically, socially, emotionally) both at home and at work. We explored whether ambulatory accelerometry can be used as an objective method to quantify the behavioral aspects of migraine-related disability. Four body mounted uni-axial piezo-resistive accelerometers were used to quantify the time spent in different body postures (lying, sitting, standing), physical activities (walking, cycling) and a general index of body motility during eight migraine attacks and subsequent recovery periods of six patients in their habitual environment. ⋯ Overall, the procedures functioned well, indicating that ambulatory accelerometry measurements before, during and after a migraine attack are feasible to perform. Furthermore, our quantitative data revealed that migraine always influenced behavior by reducing overall body motility and that, dependent upon the severity of the attack, the effectiveness of acute treatment and the time of day, the time spent in various body positions, dynamic activities, and the number of postural transitions were affected. This feasibility study showed that ambulatory accelerometry can provide the objective behavioral effect parameters for the evaluation of migraine and its treatment on daily functioning in the habitual environment of migraine patients.