The Clinical journal of pain
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Our purpose was to explore the effect of remifentanil on acute and chronic postsurgical pain after cardiac surgery. ⋯ There was not enough evidence to prove that remifentanil can increase the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain after cardiac surgery, but interestingly, the results tended to support a trend toward increased complications in the intervention group. However, there was moderate-certainty evidence that the use of remifentanil increases the consumption of morphine for analgesia, and more direct comparison trials are needed to inform clinical decision-making with greater confidence.
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The primary objective of this study was to compare pain intensity after pulsed radiofrequence (RF) or suprascapular nerve block for the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. The secondary objectives were to compare the shoulder range of motion and supplementary analgesic requirement. ⋯ Pulsed RF on the suprascapular nerve promoted an analgesic effect for 12 weeks. Regarding the intensity of pain on movement and at rest, there was a trend towards a better effect with RF than with nerve blockage treatment. In both groups, there was a reduction in pain intensity without serious adverse effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Safety and Efficacy of Oral Nalbuphine on Postoperative Pain in Hemorrhoidectomy Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Pivotal Trial.
Severe postoperative pain requiring opioid treatment has been reported in 20% to 40% of hemorrhoidectomy patients. Compared with morphine, nalbuphine offers better hemodynamic stability, a lower risk of respiratory depression, and a lower potential for addiction. Nalbuphine was developed from the intravenous form into an oral form (PHN131) to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that PHN131 is effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of moderate-to-severe post hemorrhoidectomy pain and may provide another option for patients to control their pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Transforaminal Epidural Corticosteroid Injections in Acute Sciatica A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TESIs) are widely administered for sciatica. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of TESIs in patients with acute sciatica (<8 wk). ⋯ Except for a statistically significant effect of TESI on leg pain for patients with acute sciatica compared with usual care, there were no differences in co-primary outcomes. Nonetheless, transforaminal epidural injections seem to be associated with less opioid use, which warrants further exploration.
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Observational Study
An Exploration of Physical Therapy Outcomes and Psychometric Properties of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale Following an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Program.
The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) has been used to assess physical functioning in various chronic pain populations. There is a lack of evidence for its use with diverse pain populations who have high-impact chronic pain (HICP). The primary aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the PSFS with a heterogeneous sample of patients with HICP. ⋯ The psychometric properties of the PSFS showed mixed support for construct validity but good support for the responsiveness of the PSFS when used with a heterogeneous sample of patients with HICP.