The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Combination of pregabalin and dexamethasone for postoperative pain and functional outcome in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
In this randomized-controlled study, we investigated the effects of combined administration of pregabalin and dexamethasone on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements, and functional outcome in patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery. ⋯ Combined administration of pregabalin and dexamethasone conferred analgesic benefits superior to those of pregabalin alone. This regimen also helped facilitate return to normal daily activity after surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized-controlled trial of using a book of metaphors to reconceptualize pain and decrease catastrophizing in people with chronic pain.
Reconceptualization of pain and reduction of pain-related catastrophizing are primary objectives in chronic pain rehabilitation. Teaching people about the underlying biology of pain has been shown to facilitate these objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate whether written metaphor and story can be used to increase knowledge of the biology of pain and reduce pain-related catastrophizing. ⋯ We conclude that providing educational material through metaphor and story can assist patients to reconceptualize pain and reduce catastrophizing. Metaphor and story could be used as a precurser to other interventions that target functional capacity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized, double-blind exploratory study.
To test the proof of principle that active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the motor cortex reduces pain significantly more than sham stimulation in a group of participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain. ⋯ These results do not provide evidence that tDCS is effective in the treatment of chronic back pain. The use of a small convenience sample limits the generalizability of these findings and precludes definitive conclusions on the efficacy of tDCS in chronic nonspecific low back pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
The effects of low doses of pregabalin on morphine analgesia in advanced cancer patients.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the opioid response in patients receiving morphine and pregabalin, independently from the presumed pain mechanisms, in comparison with patients receiving morphine treatment only. ⋯ The use of low doses of pregabalin added to morphine therapy in advanced cancer patients does not seem to provide advantageous analgesic effects, despite limitations of the present study due to the number of drop-outs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Sensory impairment in obese patients? Sensitivity and pain detection thresholds for electrical stimulation after surgery-induced weight loss, and comparison with a nonobese population.
Obese patients have a high prevalence of painful musculoskeletal disorders that may decrease after massive weight loss. Pain thresholds may be different in obese participants. ⋯ Further studies are required to explore sensory dysfunction in obese individuals and to investigate the implications of this dysfunction for pain management.