Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Hyperalgesia in outpatients with dermal injury: quantitative sensory testing versus a novel simple technique.
Dermal inflammation from many causes may produce a reversible period of hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain perception) or allodynia (pain from innocuous stimuli). Hyperalgesia and allodynia have received relatively little attention in clinical trials of acute pain. We sought to quantitate tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in outpatients presenting with acute dermal injuries. ⋯ We conclude that hyperalgesia is a prominent contributor to discomfort in acute dermal injury and hence is a legitimate therapeutic target. Quantitation of the contribution of thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia and assessment of their management is feasible using simple, rugged, low-cost methods. This inexpensive methodology may be useful in everyday clinical practice as well as in clinical research evaluating pharmacological agents to manage hyperalgesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on sore throat pain and other pain symptoms associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection.
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been widely used for over a century to treat pain and fever associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), but there is a lack of clinical data to support the efficacy of ASA in this disease state. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of ASA for the treatment of sore throat pain associated with URTI. ⋯ Treatment with ASA was shown to provide relief from sore throat pain, headache, and muscle aches and pains associated with URTI.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Watch needle, watch TV: Audiovisual distraction in preschool immunization.
To evaluate the effectiveness of audiovisual distraction compared with a blank TV screen in the reduction of pain associated with intramuscular immunization. ⋯ Watching cartoons did not distract children during needle injection nor reduce their pain. Looking at the TV screen was related to lower behavioral pain scores in the total sample.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Fear-avoidance behavior and anticipation of pain in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled study.
In a randomized controlled study, we investigated whether pain anticipation and fear-avoidance beliefs will lead to behavioral avoidance. ⋯ Results confirm that pain anticipation and fear-avoidance beliefs significantly influence the behavior of patients with low back pain in that they motivate avoidance behavior. Therapists must be aware of the powerful effects of cognitive processes, which can give rise to fear of pain and, consequently, avoidance behavior.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Satisfaction with epidural and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia.
Postoperative intravenous (i.v.) versus epidural morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) were compared regarding maintenance of initial PCA route, pain levels, side effects, and levels of satisfaction. Additionally, the role of preoperative attitudinal expectations in predicting postoperative levels of satisfaction with pain management as well as maintenance of initial PCA route was evaluated. ⋯ Both techniques, i.v. and epidural PCA, result in high levels of satisfaction. Satisfaction with PCA can be accurately predicted in nearly three of four patients based on initial PCA route and preoperative attitudes. Additionally, maintaining the initial treatment plan can be accurately predicted based on age and preoperative attitudes. Patient expectations about pain relief should be addressed preoperatively, particularly with younger patients, for optimal results.