The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Radiofrequency denervation of lumbar facet joints in the treatment of chronic low back pain: a randomized, double-blind, sham lesion-controlled trial.
Radiofrequency facet joint denervation procedures have been common practice for 2 decades in treatment of chronic low back pain. We designed this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham treatment controlled trial to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency facet joint denervation, as it is routinely performed. ⋯ The combined outcome measure and VAS showed no difference between radiofrequency and sham, though in both groups, significant VAS improvement occurred. The global perceived effect was in favor of radiofrequency. In selected patients, radiofrequency facet joint denervation appears to be more effective than sham treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Local steroid injections for tennis elbow: does the pain get worse before it gets better?: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
To compare the early effects of local corticosteroid injection, naproxen, and placebo as treatments for tennis elbow in primary care. Specifically, to find out whether the extra pain reduction experienced by patients who are given the steroid injection in the short-term would be realized within the first 5 days of treatment and to attempt to assess how much extra pain may be associated with the injection initially. ⋯ Steroid injection was associated with an increase in reported pain for the first 24 hours of treatment, but the therapeutic benefits compared with naproxen and placebo were evident 3 to 4 days after the start of treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Tiagabine and gabapentin for the management of chronic pain.
Agents that modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid transmission, such as gabapentin, are widely used for the management of chronic pain disorders/syndromes; however, the usefulness of the selective gamma-aminobutyric acid reuptake inhibitor tiagabine in this therapeutic area has yet to be investigated. This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of tiagabine and gabapentin for the treatment of chronic pain. ⋯ These results suggest that tiagabine and gabapentin are effective in the management of chronic pain, with tiagabine having a greater beneficial effect on sleep quality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Sensitivity of pain rating scales in an endoscopy trial.
The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of two commonly used pain-rating scales, the Visual Analog Scale and the 4-point verbal rating scale. Both are considered reliable and valid, but previous studies regarding sensitivity of rating scales have lead to different conclusions, and there is no firm agreement as to the best scale to choose. ⋯ Because each individual provided one Visual Analog Scale and one 4-point verbal rating scale rating for the same pain experience, the ability of the two scales to detect differences between groups of pain ratings could be compared. The use of a simulation model enabled estimation of a power function and reduced the probability of basing the conclusion on a chance finding.