The Clinical journal of pain
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To understand the factors that contribute to patient and physician global outcome ratings and the extent to which receiving different doses of opioids or placebo might influence the importance of these factors better. ⋯ The findings underscore the importance of change in pain intensity as a key correlate of ratings of global improvement. However, pain intensity is not the only important factor. In the current sample, improvement in both physical and psychological functioning made independent contributions to improvements in ratings of osteoarthritis status, supporting global ratings as assessing multicomponent domains. Overall, the findings suggest that when a patient or physician reports that the patient is "doing better," the patient is likely reporting less pain intensity and engaging in more physical activity and feeling better emotionally.
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This study explored correlates of spousal ability to infer the thoughts and feelings of individuals with chronic pain (ICPs). ⋯ These findings provide support for models of empathy that argue that characteristics of the pain condition and characteristics of the observer are important contributors to observers' understanding of pain. In addition, the findings support previous research that suggests there are different processes for understanding the emotional versus the cognitive experience of others.
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To identify demographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics that distinguished sickle cell disease (SCD) patients who were frequent utilizers of urgent or emergent care resources from low-utilizing patients. ⋯ The study strengthens emerging evidence that disease severity, familial factors related to greater parental education, and psychiatric illness are important factors in high care utilization in patients with SCD.
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Lumbar flexion-relaxation (FR) is a well-known phenomenon that can reliably be seen in normal subjects but not in most chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. The purpose of this study was to determine which surface electromyographic (SEMG) measures of FR best distinguish CLBP patients from pain-free control subjects. Standing SEMG and lumbar flexion range of motion (ROM) were also evaluated. ⋯ Because all SEMG measures of FR performed acceptably, the determination of which SEMG measure of FR is "best" is largely dependent on one's specific purpose. In addition, ROM measures were found to be important components of the FR assessment.
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To evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation in outpatient veterans with multiple areas of chronic pain. ⋯ Standardized vitamin D supplementation in veterans with multiple areas of chronic pain can be effective in improving their pain levels, sleep, and various aspects of QoL.