Articles: pain-measurement.
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Heat-pain threshold and stimulus response characteristics can be evaluated with graduated heating pulses from a radiant heat source or a contact thermode. Results may be used to: (1) evaluate differences in sensation among anatomical sites, sides of the body, and with development and aging; and (2) provide an end-point for the study of the efficacy of drugs; or to follow the course of sensory alteration in disease (medical practice, epidemiologic studies, and controlled clinical trials). Because there is great variability in how tests of this kind are performed and scored, comparisons of results among medical centers are difficult. ⋯ Based on a study of 25 healthy subjects, the reproducibility of the test falls within +/-1 stimulus steps 88% of the time for HP:5.0 and 76% of the time for HP:0.5. The precise approaches employed to make the test standard and reproducible are described. We illustrate that the algorithm and testing system is able to document altered pain threshold with skin abrasion, with intradermal injection of nerve growth factor, and with diabetic polyneuropathy.
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We asked 78 chronic low back pain patients to report on their usual pain intensity, and on the lifestyle changes caused by their pain, on a horizontally-oriented visual analogue scale (VAS). Also, the usual and the current pain intensities were examined on a vertical VAS. Statistical analysis showed normal distribution of data in the measurement of usual pain on the horizontal VAS, but no homogeneous distribution on the vertical VAS. ⋯ Also, there was no reduction of the failure rate by giving additional oral explanations in the use of the scale to the patient. Owing to a negative influence in distribution of rates and an increase in the failure rate, complex questions should be avoided. A short written introduction to the scale is sufficient, and oral explanations are not essential.
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Comparative Study
Comparisons of pain ratings from postoperative children, their mothers, and their nurses.
To identify whether nurses and mothers of pediatric patients accurately assess the child's pain intensity as determined by the child. ⋯ Mothers may be a valuable source of information in assessing their child's pain. The use of pain assessment tools may need to be examined and incorporated into nurses' practice, and assessments of children's pain may need to integrate more data pertaining to developmental level.
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Comparative Study
Involvement of dopamine D2 receptor-mediated functions in the modulation of morphine-induced antinociception in diabetic mouse.
The effects of the dopamine agonists and antagonists on morphine-induced antinociception in diabetic mice were studied. The antinociceptive effect of morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) in diabetic mice was significantly less than that in non-diabetic mice. The antinociceptive effect of morphine in diabetic mice, but not that in non-diabetic mice, was significantly enhanced following pretreatment with sulpiride, a selective dopamine D2 antagonist, (30 mg/kg, s.c.). ⋯ The dopamine turnover ratio in the limbic forebrain and midbrain in diabetic mice were significantly greater than those in non-diabetic mice. When mice were pretreated with quinpirole (100 and 300 nmol, i.c.v), this enhanced dopamine turnover ratio was not observed in either the limbic forebrain or the midbrain of diabetic mice. These findings suggest that the attenuation of morphine-induced antinociception and dopamine D2 receptor-mediated function in diabetic mice may somehow be related.
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Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Feb 1996
Comparative Study[Patients with cancer-related pain and other chronic pain. Priorities and assessment].
In a survey completed at our hospital, 519 doctors and nurses were asked how pain treatment was estimated whether it received priority, and to what degree patients' pain syndromes were assessed. A total of 473 responded to the questionnaire. In the study cancer-related pain and pain from causes other than cancer were assessed in separate population groups. ⋯ Only 46% assumed that a planned pain assessment was done as a routine. Physicians and nurses alike experienced great inadequacy in their work with patients in pain. This was expressed more clearly in connection with pain not caused by cancer.