European journal of pain : EJP
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Strength training in addition to neuromuscular exercise and education in individuals with knee osteoarthritis the effects on pain and sensitization.
There is a lack of evidence of the relative effects of different exercise modes on pain sensitization and pain intensity in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). ⋯ This study is an important step towards better understanding the effects of exercise in pain management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions. We found that strength training in addition to neuromuscular exercise and education compared with neuromuscular exercise and education only had a differential impact on pain sensitization and pain intensity, but also that regardless of the exercise mode, the positive effects on pain sensitization and pain intensity were comparable to the effects of other therapeutic interventions for individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High-dose spironolactone lacks effectiveness in treatment of fibromyalgia (RCT).
Spironolactone (SPL) is a reversible mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and androgen receptor (AR) antagonist which attracts pharmacotherapeutic interest not only because of its beneficial effects in heart failure but also because of the pathogenetic roles of MR and AR activities in neuropsychiatric diseases. Recently, beneficial and rapid-onset effects of SPL have been documented in a case series of women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). To reaffirm this observation, we performed a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT). ⋯ The mineralocorticoid receptor and androgen receptor antagonist spironolactone is repeatedly tested for its therapeutic effectivity against neuropsychiatric disorders. The present RCT demonstrated that 200 mg spironolactone does not change the symptoms of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) in adult women. Between 2 and 4 weeks, spironolactone evokes a transient decrease in GFR and increase in serum potassium. Spironolactone cannot be recommended for the treatment of FMS.
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Endogenous pain inhibitory mechanisms are known to reduce pain intensity, but whether they influence the size and distribution of pain referral is unclear. This study aimed to determine if referred pain is reduced by applying a remote, conditioning painful stimulus. ⋯ The current results indicate a link between endogenous inhibition and pain referral. Descending inhibitory control effects on pain referral support a spinal mechanism involved in pain referral. Future studies should investigate whether the spatial characteristics of referred pain (e.g. size, frequency of affected body regions and distribution away from the primary nociceptive stimulus) can useful to evaluate the efficiency of endogenous pain modulation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Oxytocin Receptor Modulation in Healthy Volunteers - a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study.
There is increasing evidence for oxytocin as a neurotransmitter in spinal nociceptive processes. Hypothalamic oxytocinergic neurons project to the spinal dorsal horn, where they activate GABA-ergic inhibitory interneurons. The present study tested whether the long-acting oxytocin-analogue carbetocin has anti-nociceptive effects in multi-modal experimental pain in humans. ⋯ This study provides evidence of the anti-nociceptive effect of intravenous administration of the oxytocin agonist carbetocin in healthy male volunteers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Visual illusions modulate body perception disturbance and pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A randomised trial.
Effective treatment of longstanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a challenge, as causal mechanisms remain elusive. People with CRPS frequently report distorted subjective perceptions of their affected limb. Evidence of pain reduction when the affected limb is visually altered in size suggests that visual illusions used to target central processing could restore coherence of this disrupted limb representation. We hypothesized that using virtual reality that alters hand image to match the patient's desired hand appearance would improve body perception disturbance and pain. Also, repeated exposure would maintain any therapeutic effect. ⋯ Visual bodily illusions that change the shape and appearance of the painful CRPS hand to that desired by the patient result in a rapid amelioration of pain and body perception disturbance in people with longstanding CRPS. These findings highlight the future potential of this drug-free approach in the treatment of refractory CRPS.