The Clinical journal of pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency denervation of the ramus communicans nerve for chronic discogenic low back pain.
The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation of the ramus communicans nerve in patients suffering from chronic discogenic low back pain. ⋯ In patients with chronic discogenic low back pain, percutaneous RF denervation of the ramus communicans nerve should be considered as a treatment option.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Acupuncture in the management of chronic low back pain: a blinded randomized controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic low back pain. ⋯ Further research is necessary to fully assess the efficacy of this treatment in combating chronic low back pain using larger sample sizes or alternative control groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A pilot study examining topical amitriptyline, ketamine, and a combination of both in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
The involvement of ongoing peripheral activity in the generation of nociceptive input in neuropathic pain suggests that topical drug delivery may be useful as a treatment strategy. This is a pilot study providing initial information regarding the use of novel topical preparations containing amitriptyline (AMI), ketamine (KET), and a combination of both in the treatment of neuropathic pain. ⋯ This pilot study demonstrated a lack of effect for all treatments in the 2 day double blind placebo controlled trial, followed by analgesia in an open label trial in a subgroup of subjects who chose to use the combination cream for 7 days. Blood analysis revealed no significant systemic absorption of either agent after 7 days of treatment, and creams were well tolerated. A larger scale randomized trial over a longer interval is warranted to examine further effects observed in the open label trial.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Analgesic effects and pharmacokinetics of a low dose of ketamine preoperatively administered epidurally or intravenously.
The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects and pharmacokinetics of epidural versus intravenous administration of low doses of ketamine. ⋯ The results suggest that epidural administration of a low dose of ketamine provides more effective analgesic effects as seen post-operatively than intravenous administration. The prolonged half-life and high plasma sustained concentration of epidural ketamine might account for the difference in analgesic effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
What is a meaningful pain reduction in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1?
To investigate the degree of pain reduction in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS 1) that can be defined as "successful." ⋯ Relative pain reduction of 50% or more and an absolute pain reduction of at least 3 cm on the VAS are accurate in predicting a successful pain reduction after a given treatment.