Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The ability of single site, single depth sacral lateral branch blocks to anesthetize the sacroiliac joint complex.
To determine the physiologic effectiveness of single site, single depth sacral lateral branch injections. ⋯ Anatomic limitations exist with single site, single depth sacral lateral branch injections rendering them physiologically ineffective on a consistent basis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Facial pain: a possible therapy with stellate ganglion block.
The goal of the present study is to verify the efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the treatment of facial pain that can be found in different pathological syndromes, and also to examine whether the efficacy is dependent upon when this therapy is administered. ⋯ Our results indicate that patients must be treated with SGB therapy precociously to receive its full benefits.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Predictors of change in trunk muscle strength for patients with chronic low back pain randomized to lumbar fusion or cognitive intervention and exercises.
We have previously reported in two randomized controlled trials that cognitive intervention and exercises more effectively improved isokinetic trunk muscle strength than lumbar fusion and postoperative rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain. The aim of the present study was to predict changes in muscle strength as regard to changes in pain, function, fear-avoidance beliefs (self-rated questionnaires), changes in cross-sectional area and density of the back muscles and treatment. ⋯ Our results emphasize the central role of pain and treatment for the improvements in muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial of the effects of a combination of static and dynamic magnetic fields on carpal tunnel syndrome.
To determine if a physics-based combination of simultaneous static and time-varying dynamic magnetic field stimulation to the wrist 4 hours/day for 2 months can reduce subjective neuropathic pain and influence objective electrophysiologic parameters of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). ⋯ PEMF exposure in refractory CTS provides statistically significant short- and longterm pain reduction and mild improvement in objective neuronal functions. Neuromodulation appears to influence nociceptive-C and large A-fiber functions, probably through ion/ligand binding.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Sleep-disordered breathing and chronic opioid therapy.
To assess the relation between medications prescribed for chronic pain and sleep apnea. ⋯ Sleep-disordered breathing was common in chronic pain patients on opioids. The dose-response relation of sleep apnea to methadone and benzodiazepines calls for increased vigilance.