Der Schmerz
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Electrical muscle stimulation in combination with heat for patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain : A randomized, double-blind, stratified, placebo-controlled clinical trial].
Chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) causes more disability than any other medical condition worldwide. Electrical muscle stimulation in combination with heat (EMS/H) for management of LBP has yet not been properly studied. Our hypothesis was that EMS/H provides better pain relief and improves subjective and objective data compared to standard treatment. ⋯ EMS/H is an effective and safe method for managing LBP. A clinically relevant and persisting pain reduction, a stable decrease in self-perceived disability, an improvement in both mood and affective characterization as well as sensory characterization of pain, muscle strength and endurance may have a significant impact on the management of LBP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Effectiveness of a risk-tailored short intervention to prevent chronic low back pain : A cluster-randomized study in general practice].
A subgroup of patients with acute low back pain (LBP) will develop chronic LBP. Risk factors summarized as yellow flags are fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, catastrophizing, and work-related problems. ⋯ A risk-tailored short intervention to prevent chronic LBP in general practice had no significant impact on the clinical course compared to care as usual. A subgroup analysis comparing adherent and non-adherent patients suggests that it is possible to have a positive impact on patient-relevant outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Neuromodulation using matrix stimulation : A treatment for acute pain?]
There is currently a lack of studies that evaluate the effects of matrix electrode neuromodulation on acute pain. In this prospective and randomized cross-over study, we investigated the efficacy of 4 Hz-matrix stimulation on venipuncture-induced pain in 30 healthy subjects. ⋯ The results of this study showed for the first time that pre-emptive matrix stimulation could be an effective way to reduce acute pain. The duration of stimulation seems to play a key role in the effectiveness of the neurophysiological mechanism of action. Matrix stimulation is a therapeutic intervention with very few side effects, which could, in the future, expand our pain-management options for the treatment of acute pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
[Botulinum toxin A injections in neuropathic pain : A post-hoc subgroup analysis of patients with peripheral nerve injury].
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) presented in this article showed significant relief in neuropathic pain following subcutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A over 24 weeks compared to placebo. This result was confirmed in a novel post-hoc analysis of the subgroup of 46 patients with peripheral nerve injury. Relevant adverse effects did not occur during the RCT.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with gamma-hydroxybutyrate : A randomized controlled study].
The etiology of fibromyalgia syndrome is not yet fully understood. Current hypotheses suggest a potential role of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in influencing endocrinological abnormalities in patients with fibromyalgia. ⋯ Administration of low dose GHB did not yield clinical improvements in female outpatients with fibromyalgia. General improvement in the course of treatment may have resulted from operant behavioral pain therapy. Future studies on GHB should control hypothetical risk factors for identification of non-responders.