European journal of pain : EJP
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The evidence for Internet-delivered pain management programs for chronic pain is growing, but there is little empirical understanding of how they effect change. Understanding mechanisms of clinical response to these programs could inform their effective development and delivery. ⋯ This study employed robust statistical techniques to assess the psychological mechanisms of an established internet-delivered pain management program. While clinical improvements (e.g. depression, anxiety, pain) were closely associated with improvements in psychological variables (e.g. pain self-efficacy and pain acceptance), these variables do not appear to be treatment mechanisms.
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The indications for initiating long-term opioid treatment (L-TOT) for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) are often unclear and associated with problematic use. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of stabilizing opioid therapy followed by a sequential opioid tapering off program in CNCP patients. ⋯ This trial showed that sequential tapering off L-TOT in CNCP patients may be an unfeasible approach. However, improvements after opioid treatment stabilization were achieved and stable pain intensity in those tapered off may encourage the development of more refined programs.
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Moderate-to-severe pain represents a heavy burden in patients' quality of life, and ultimately in the society and in healthcare costs. The aim of this review was to summarize data on tramadol and tapentadol adverse effects, toxicity, potential advantages and limitations according to the context of clinical use. We compared data on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of tramadol and tapentadol, after an extensive literature search in the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed). ⋯ In addition, it leads to less side effects and lower abuse liability. However, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that tramadol and tapentadol cause similar toxicological damage. In this context, it is important to underline that the choice of opioid should be individually balanced and a tailored decision, based on previous experience and on the patient's profile, type of pain and context of treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of local wound infiltration with ketamine versus dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain and stress after abdominal hysterectomy, a randomized trial.
Postoperative pain and stress elicit hormonal changes. We aimed at comparing the effects of wound infiltration with ketamine versus dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain and stress response. ⋯ Local wound infiltration with ketamine or dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine had an opioid-sparing effect, delayed first request of rescue analgesia, and attenuated postoperative stress response, especially with ketamine in patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy.
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Pain in response to noxious cold has a complex molecular background probably involving several types of sensors. A recent observation has been the multimodal distribution of human cold pain thresholds. This study aimed at analysing reproducibility and stability of this observation and further exploration of data patterns supporting a complex background. ⋯ Sensitivity to pain is heterogeneous. Data-driven computational research approaches allow the identification of subgroups of subjects with a distinct pattern of sensitivity to cold stimuli. The subgroups are reproducible with different types of noxious cold stimuli. Subgroups show pattern that hints at distinct and inter-individually different types of the underlying molecular background.