Pain research & management : the journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur
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The entire primary care record of six patients attending a community-based education/exercise self-management program for chronic noncancer pain (YMCA Pain Exercise/Education Program [Y-PEP]) was reviewed. Medical visits, consultations and hospital admissions were coded as related or unrelated to their pain diagnoses. Mood disruption, financial concerns, conflicts with employers/insurers, analgesic doses, medication side effects and major life events were also recorded. ⋯ After attending Y-PEP, health care use fell for four of six patients and two returned to work. Primary care physicians need to recognize the functional limitations and psychosocial complications experienced by their chronic pain patients. A program such as Y-PEP may promote active self-management strategies resulting in lowered health care use.
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Few studies have examined the relationship between disability and borderline personality symptomatology, and, among those that have, findings have been inconsistent. In the present study, the relationship between medical disability and borderline personality symptomatology was examined in a sample of chronic pain patients. ⋯ Findings suggest that among chronic pain patients, there may be no meaningful relationship between having ever been on medical disability and borderline personality symptomatology.
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Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) represents a significant public health problem, resulting in substantial social and economic costs throughout the industrialized world. While many treatments have been advocated for patients with WAD, scientific support regarding their effectiveness is often lacking. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the strength of evidence associated with various WAD therapies. ⋯ There is contradictory evidence regarding the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections, and cervical discectomy and fusion. The evidence is not yet strong enough to establish the effectiveness of any of these treatments; of all the invasive interventions for chronic WAD, radiofrequency neurotomy appears to be supported by the strongest evidence. Further research is required to determine the efficacy and the role of invasive interventions in the treatment of chronic WAD.
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Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) represents a significant public health problem, resulting in substantial social and economic costs throughout the industrialized world. While many treatments have been advocated for patients with WAD, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is often lacking. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the strength of evidence associated with various WAD therapies. ⋯ Thirteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified, six of which were randomized controlled trials with 'good' overall methodology (median Physiotherapy Evidence Database score of 6). Although some evidence was identified to support the use of interdisciplinary interventions and chiropractic manipulation, the evidence was not strong for any of the evaluated treatments. There is a clear need for further research to evaluate interventions aimed at treating patients with subacute WAD because there are currently no interventions satisfactorily supported by the research literature.