European journal of pain : EJP
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Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques (NIN), such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), have been extensively researched for their potential to alleviate pain by reversing neuroplastic changes associated with neuropathic pain (NP), a prevalent and complex condition. However, treating NP remains challenging due to the numerous variables involved, such as different techniques, dosages and aetiologies. It is necessary to provide insights for clinicians and public healthcare managers to support clinical decision-making. This umbrella review aims to consolidate existing evidence on the effectiveness of various NIN in managing chronic NP. ⋯ This paper consolidates the evidence regarding non-invasive neuromodulation for the treatment of neuropathic pain, including differentiating the most effective techniques based on the aetiology of pain, and provides clinicians with easy access to this critical information. It also highlights key aspects that require further research in the field of non-invasive neuromodulation and neuropathic pain.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Cut-Off Values Able to Identify Migraine Patients With Increased Pressure-Pain Sensitivity Independent of the Migraine Cycle Through a Single Assessment: A Secondary Analysis of a Multicentre, Cross-Sectional, Observational Study.
Identify values that could predict the presence of increased pressure-pain sensitivity independent of the migraine cycle through a single assessment. ⋯ The high internal validity suggests that our model could precisely predict the presence of IPS independently by the phase in which the assessment occurred. Trigeminal and hand PPT cut-off values could be used to identify patients with IPS.
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Observational Study
Adolescent predictors of substance use in young adulthood among individuals with childhood-onset chronic pain: A follow-up study.
Adolescent chronic pain is a substantial public health problem, and pain symptoms often persist into adulthood. Young adults with chronic pain are at elevated risk for more frequent tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use, and cross-sectional research highlights the importance of psychosocial vulnerability factors. Limited research has examined how adolescent predictors, including mental health symptoms, pain, sleep and family functioning, impact later, young adult substance use. ⋯ This prospective observational study of young adults with childhood-onset chronic pain identified adolescent depression and sleep quality as vulnerability factors associated with substance use. Given the increasing risk for substance use during adolescence and young adulthood, these findings highlight the potential importance of early intervention to reduce substance use among young adults with childhood-onset chronic pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Are Stabilisation Exercises Effective After Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy? A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial.
Cervical radiculopathy is caused by dysfunction of nerve roots in the cervical spine. While many studies have assessed the effectiveness of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) and stabilisation exercises separately for this condition, our study aims to evaluate the impact of different stabilisation exercise programmes following ILESI on treatment outcomes in radiculopathy patients. ⋯ To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the effect of a stabilisation exercise programme after ILESI on treatment outcomes in patients with radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation. It is a valuable study in terms of its prospective design, its specific and homogeneous patient population and its results. Our study will help clinicians when prescribing exercise programmes for these patients.
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Trunk co-contraction during lifting may reflect a guarded motor response to a threatening task. This work estimated the impact of pain catastrophizing on trunk co-contraction during lifting, in people with and without low back pain. ⋯ This work contributes evidence that people with back pain commonly exhibit trunk co-contraction when lifting. The lack of a relationship between pain catastrophizing and trunk co-contraction, however, challenges evidence linking psychological factors and guarded motor behaviour in this group. Together, this suggests that other factors may be stronger determinants of co-contraction in people with LBP or that a general construct like pain catastrophizing may not accurately represent this relationship.