Articles: pain-management-methods.
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Meta Analysis
The Effect of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Managing Symptom Clusters Among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.
Cancer patients often experience multiple concurrent and related symptoms, or symptom clusters. Research increasingly indicates that targeting a symptom cluster as an overall entity instead of individual symptoms could be more effective and efficient in improving patients' quality of life. Various nonpharmacological interventions are used to manage symptom clusters in cancer patients during and after treatment, but the effect of such interventions is uncertain. ⋯ Nonpharmacological interventions are shown to be effective in managing cancer-associated symptom clusters and could be considered as part of the existing healthcare services for cancer patients.
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Some patients with chronic pain and implanted spinal cord stimulators or intrathecal (IT) pumps fail to obtain significant pain relief. The use of dual modality treatment with both therapies is understudied. This study evaluated comprehensive outcomes in this patient population and reported outcomes primarily using IT ziconotide. ⋯ Dual modality therapy is a potential treatment option in patients who have lost efficacy with a single neuromodulation modality. Further study is required to identify potential responders and nonresponders.
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Review Meta Analysis
Is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effective for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition characterized by chronic widespread pain. It is believed to be caused by dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS) but current treatments are largely ineffective. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a neuromodulation technique that targets the CNS, may offer a new line of treatment. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes current evidence for the clinical effectiveness of tDCS in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain. There is only tentative evidence of pain reduction when active tDCS is compared to sham. High heterogeneity and risk of bias across studies suggest a need for further empirical research.
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Two regional analgesic modalities currently cleared by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration hold promise to provide postoperative analgesia free of many of the limitations of both opioids and local anesthetic-based techniques. ⋯ Analgesia is produced by introducing electrical current with an external pulse generator. It is a unique regional analgesic in that it does not induce sensory, motor, or proprioception deficits and is cleared for up to 60 days of use. However, both modalities have limited validation when applied to acute pain, and randomized, controlled trials are required to define both benefits and risks.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Active and Passive Distraction Interventions in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Reduce the Pain and Anxiety During Venous Blood Sampling: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Distraction is a method that is easy to use in emergency departments and effective in relieving procedural pain and anxiety. This study aimed to determine the effect of 2 new distraction methods-1 active distraction (rotatable wooden toy) and 1 passive distraction (toy wristband)-on procedural pain, fear, and anxiety in children during venous blood sampling. ⋯ Both the toy wristband and rotatable wooden toy interventions can be used to reduce procedural pain, fear, and anxiety in children during blood sampling in emergency departments.