The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Do occlusal splints have an effect on complex regional pain syndrome? A randomized, controlled proof-of-concept trial.
Studies have suggested overlaps between various chronic pain conditions and painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The objective of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of occlusal splint (OS) therapy on self-reported measures of pain in patients with chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) as compared with a nontreatment group. ⋯ The use of OS for 7 weeks has no impact on CRPS-related pain but improved signs and symptoms of TMD pain. Future studies should include an active control group and evaluate if long-term changes in measures of oral health impact general health in CRPS-related pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with chronic pain after major thoracotomy.
The characteristics and etiology of long-term pain after major thoracotomy and methods for its prevention have yet to be established. ⋯ Postoperative pain that persists but eventually dissipates was a common finding whose intensity was associated with immediate preoperative and postoperative pain levels. In contrast, pain later on during hospitalization, its impact, and perceived analgesic effectiveness best identified those who would continue to report pain almost 1 year after surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of microneedle design on pain in human volunteers.
To design microneedles that minimize pain, this study tested the hypothesis that microneedles cause significantly less pain than a 26-gauge hypodermic needle, and that decreasing microneedle length and the number of microneedles reduces pain in normal human volunteers. ⋯ Microneedles are significantly less painful than a 26-gauge hypodermic needle over the range of dimensions investigated. Decreasing microneedle length and number of microneedles reduces pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Sex differences in presentation, course, and management of low back pain in primary care.
Epidemiologic surveys frequently show that women more often and are more affected by low back pain (LBP). The aim of this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled study was to explore whether presentation and course of LBP of women is different from men, and if sex affects the use of healthcare services for LBP. ⋯ Our findings confirm that women are more severely affected by LBP and have a worse prognosis. Utilization of healthcare services cannot be fully explained by female sex, but rather by a higher impairment by back pain and pain in other parts of the body characteristic of the female population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of chronic oral gabapentin on capsaicin-induced pain and hyperalgesia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
There is an abundance of literature on the efficacy of gabapentin for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Two studies have demonstrated an effect of a single dose of gabapentin on experimental cutaneous hyperalgesia. This study evaluated the effect of chronic delivery of oral gabapentin on experimentally induced cutaneous hyperalgesia. ⋯ This study demonstrated a lack of effect of the chronic delivery of oral gabapentin on experimentally induced cutaneous hyperalgesia. The discrepancy of this finding with other studies using single oral doses may be the result of differences in the models used and differences in drug kinetics and plasma levels. The results of this study do not correlate with the clinical studies on gabapentin, which demonstrate efficacy at 1800 mg/d.