The Clinical journal of pain
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The goal was to study the utility of nonverbal facial expressions as a research tool for assessing pain in persons with intellectual disabilities. Biases and stereotypes related to age, gender, physical attractiveness, and intellectual disability that may influence the ability of observers to evaluate pain reactions were also examined. ⋯ The findings support the validity of both objectively coded and observer-rated facial expressions of pain as research tools in treatment outcome studies involving persons with intellectual disabilities. Self-report has substantial limitations for the assessment of pain in this population.
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Nine patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome types I and/or II (CRPS), previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and causalgia, respectively, were selected for treatment with a continuous four to eight week subcutaneous infusion of 10% lidocaine. ⋯ Five patients completed the infusion treatment. The treatment significantly alleviated much of the pain and other symptomatology (i.e., dysesthesia, allodynia, hyperpathia, color and temperature changes, decreased range of motion of involved extremities, changes in hair and nail growth, etc.) commonly observed for CRPS/RSD patients. Upon discontinuation of the continuous subcutaneous infusion, patients appear to maintain the pain relief obtained. Periodic maintenance infusions may be needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Does gender affect appraisal of pain and pain coping strategies?
To investigate the impact of gender and a set of pain characteristics on the threat or challenge appraisal of pain and the impact of these appraisals on the coping strategies used to manage the pain. ⋯ Interference of pain has a greater impact on threat appraisal of pain for women. Increasing threat appraisal is associated with health care utilization for women, but women's more frequent use of several coping strategies is unrelated to their appraisal of pain. Appraisal of pain may have important implications on coping and overall well-being of women and men.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Cognitive-behavioral treatment in unselected rheumatoid arthritis outpatients.
This trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of an adjunctive cognitive-behavioral treatment compared with rheumatological treatment alone in unselected rheumatoid arthritis outpatients. ⋯ Cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven an effective adjunct to standard treatment of rheumatoid arthritis outpatients. These effects were shown in an unselected sample with increasing disease activity and with comparable changes in medication during treatment. We recommend cognitive-behavioral treatment as an desirable adjunct to standard medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Clinical Trial
Block of pinprick and cold sensation poorly correlate with relief of postoperative pain during epidural analgesia.
To test the following hypotheses: there is a correlation between spread of epidural analgesia as assessed postoperatively by pinprick/cold test and postoperative pain intensity; block of pinprick/cold sensation is associated with absence of postoperative pain. ⋯ Spread and efficacy of epidural analgesia as assessed by pinprick and cold stimulation correlate poorly with postoperative pain. These methods are of limited value both as clinical indicators of the efficacy of postoperative pain control and for investigating the effect of epidural drugs and techniques.