Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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To investigate the progression of the illness and opioid journeys of people who are taking opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. ⋯ The four key factors influencing the progress of people taking opioids for chronic non-cancer pain are rooted in the provisions made by society for caring for this patient group and involve relationships between patient and provider, between patients and their social world, and between different providers and their professional knowledge. In our patient sample, effective support involved the provision and maintenance of hope, and professionals who are knowledgeable about opioids and chronic pain, good communicators, and cognizant with their patients' social support and responsibilities.
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Comparative Study
Surface electromyography findings in unilateral myofascial pain patients: comparison of painful vs. non painful sides.
To answer the clinical research question: in patients with myofascial pain, are there any differences in the surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of muscles of the painful and nonpainful sides that can be detected by commercially available devices? ⋯ The above findings were not supportive of the existence of any detectable difference in sEMG activity between jaw muscles of the painful and nonpainful sides in patients with unilateral myofascial pain. Centrally mediated mechanism for pain adaptation may explain these findings, and the role of sEMG as a diagnostic tool for muscle pain needs to be carefully reconceptualized.
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To determine the rate of vasovagal (vv) complications in fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. ⋯ vv reactions have an overall low occurrence rate (2.6%) in interventional procedures ranging from 0% in peripheral knee and shoulder injections to 5.1% in medial branch blocks. Conservative treatment of vv reaction and willingness to terminate procedures resulted in no serious adverse events related to vv reaction in 8,010 procedures.
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Evaluation of acute pain in patients with language barriers is often difficult during humanitarian missions. Algoplus, a behavioral scale validated for acute pain evaluation in Caucasians with verbal communication difficulties, was tested during a clinical mission in Cambodia in patients admitted to hospital for acute pain. ⋯ This feasibility study shows that despite a correlation with pain intensity, Algoplus may underestimate acute pain in this population. It is, however, an interesting tool for future studies to explore facial expression and complaints as proxies of pain in non-communicative patients.
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Observational Study
Noninterventional observational study using high-dose controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) for cancer pain management in outpatient clinics.
Efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) for patients receiving larger doses of controlled-release oxycodone (CR oxycodone) in outpatient clinics are evaluated. ⋯ This study suggests that over an 8-week period, the use of high-dose CR oxycodone for cancer pain management is efficient, safe, and tolerable in outpatient clinics.