Scandinavian journal of pain
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Background and aims The present study was designed to evaluate the relative efficacy of two video game display modalities - virtual reality (VR) assisted video game distraction, in which the game is presented via a VR head-mounted display (HMD) helmet, versus standard video game distraction, in which the game is projected on a television - and to determine whether environmental context (quiet versus noisy) moderates the relative efficacy of the two display modalities in reducing cold pressor pain in healthy college students. Methods Undergraduate students (n=164) were stratified by sex and self-reported video game skill and were randomly assigned to a quiet or a noisy environment. Participants then underwent three cold pressor trials consisting of one baseline followed by two distraction trials differing in display modality (i.e. ⋯ Implications Results suggest that video game distraction via HMD helmet may be superior to standard video game distraction for increasing pain tolerance, though further research is required to replicate the trending findings observed in this study. Though it does not appear that background noise significantly impacted the relative efficacy of the two different video game display modalities, the presence of noise does appear to alter the pain response through amplified pain intensity ratings. Further research utilizing more sophisticated VR technology and clinically relevant background auditory stimuli is necessary in order to better understand the impact of these findings in real-world settings and to test the clinical utility of VR technology for pain management relative to standard video game distraction.
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Background and aims We systematically characterized the potency and side effect profile of a series of small opioid peptides with high affinity for the mu opioid receptor. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were prepared with intrathecal (IT) catheters, assessed with hind paw thermal escape and evaluated for side effects including Straub tail, truncal rigidity, and pinnae and corneal reflexes. In these studies, DMT-DALDA (dDAL) (H-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 MW=981), dDALc (H-Dmt-Cit-Phe-Lys-NH2 MW=868), dDALcn (H-Dmt-D-Cit-Phe-Nle-NH2 MW=739), TAPP (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Phe-NH2 MW=659), dDAL-TICP ([Dmt1]DALDA-(CH2)2-NH-TICP[psi]; MW=1519), and dDAL-TIPP (H-Dmt-D-Arg-Phe-Lys(Nε-TIPP)-NH2 were examined. ⋯ Conclusions These results emphasize the potent mu agonist properties of the DALDA peptidic structure series, their persistence similar to morphine and their propensity to produce tolerance. The asymmetric cross-tolerance between equiactive doses may reflect the relative intrinsic activity of morphine and DMT-DALDA. Implications These results suggest that the DALDA peptides with their potency and duration of action after intrathecal delivery suggest their potential utility for their further development as a spinal therapeutic to manage pain.
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Background and aims Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) is a well-established phenomenon and several protocols have shown acceptable between-subject reliability [based on intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values] in pain-free controls. Recently, it was recommended that future CPM test-retest reliability studies should explicitly report CPM reliability based on CPM responders and non-responders (within-subject reliability) based on measurement error of the test stimulus. Identification of reliable CPM paradigms based on responders and non-responders may be a step towards using CPM as a mechanistic marker in diagnosis and individualized pain management regimes. ⋯ In contrast, the commonly used combination of manual pressure algometry and cold water immersion induced a CPM effect in most participants however it was inconsistent in doing so. Further exploration of the two paradigms and classification of responders and non-responders in a larger heterogeneous sample also including women would further inform the clinical usefulness of these CPM protocols. Future research in this area may be an important step towards using CPM as a mechanistic marker in diagnosis and in developing individualized pain management regimes.
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Background and aims Despite lack of support from recent in vivo studies, bending and lifting (especially with a round-back posture) are perceived as dangerous to the back. In light of this view, it has been proposed that pain-free people may hold a common implicit belief that is congruent with the idea that bending and lifting with a round-back represents danger to a person's back, however this has not been evaluated. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate implicit associations between back posture and safety related to bending and lifting in pain-free people; (2) to explore correlations between the implicit measure and explicit measures of back beliefs, fear of movement and safety of bending; (3) to investigate self-reported qualitative appraisal of safe lifting. ⋯ Research to evaluate the relationship between this implicit bias and lifting behaviour is indicated. Implications The findings of this study may have implications for ergonomic guidelines and public health information related to bending and lifting back postures. Additionally, clinicians may need to be aware of this common belief, as this may be reflected in how a person responds when they experience pain.
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Background and aims The recent economic crisis started in the USA in 2008 but quickly had worldwide impact. Ireland, Greece, and Portugal were in economic distress in 2009 and received rescue monetary packages from the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the following years. Meanwhile, the economic recovery has begun for those countries, but at different paces. ⋯ This may be related to the fact that Greece was the country that received more rescue packages and where the economic crisis was deepest and lasted longer. Implications Economics and scientific production have a mutual influence: usually research investment decreases in recession times (reducing grants and scientific employment), but health scientific production can improve health and quality of life and also benefit the economy. So in crisis periods, governments should create means to protect and foster scientific work.