J Orofac Pain
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This article provides a brief overview of the tools and methods that may be useful to assess neuropathic trigeminal pain. Pain is a complex multidimensional and biopsychosocial experience. While the assessment of neuropathic trigeminal pain is complex, there are several meaningful ways available for the systematic assessment of neuropathic pain and its effects and manifestations. ⋯ In addition to the psychophysical techniques, a number of laboratory tests for assessment of trigeminal pain have been developed and tested, although critical information on sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values is still scarce. There is also a need for common guidelines on classification, diagnostic procedures, and management. This will require concerted international, interdisciplinary action.
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Neuropathic pain in the orofacial region poses a difficult challenge to the treating physician. In some cases diagnosis is far from easy. ⋯ In addition, the discussion includes idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux), a neuropathic pain syndrome that is nearly unique to the trigeminal distribution (very rarely, it has also been reported in the glossopharyngeal region). Brief summaries of major research problems and successes are also provided.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Venlafaxine in the treatment of atypical facial pain: a randomized controlled trial.
To study in a randomized placebo-controlled design the efficacy of the antidepressant venlafaxine, a serotonin and a weak noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of atypical facial pain (AFP). ⋯ Venlafaxine was only modestly effective in the treatment of AFP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The additional value of a home physical therapy regimen versus patient education only for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles: short-term results of a randomized clinical trial.
To compare the short-term efficacy of patient education only versus the combination of patient education and home exercises for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. ⋯ Over a period of 3 months, the combination of education and a home physical therapy regimen, as used in this protocol, is slightly more clinically effective than education alone for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles.