Articles: pain-management.
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Guided imagery is a therapeutic technique that allows a person to use his or her own imagination to connect their body and mind to achieve desirable outcomes such as decreased pain perception and reduced anxiety. This article describes the use and application of guided imagery for clients in the home and the benefits to the agency. A step-by-step approach to teaching clients how to use guided imagery is included.
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Objective. Post-herniorrhaphy pain syndrome can be difficult to treat. The exact mechanism of pain is not always apparent. ⋯ Conclusion. Post-herniorrhaphy pain can have the same features of both nociceptive and neuropathic pain syndromes. In cases which have failed conservative therapy we believe that a trial of spinal cord stimulation is warranted as in other cases of neuropathic pain syndromes.
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Since the first report of alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists, the list of clinical indications for this class of drugs continues to expand. Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists have several beneficial actions during the perioperative period. ⋯ Furthermore, alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists may offer benefits in the prophylaxis and treatment of perioperative myocardial ischaemia and their role in pain management and regional anaesthesia is increasing. The development of new, highly selective compounds which not only reduce anaesthetic requirements but induce anaesthesia by themselves may provide a new concept for the administration of anaesthesia.
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Repeated assessment of pain and other symptoms is required for quality assurance in palliative care. However, physical and cognitive impairment of the patients may impede the use of standardized questionnaires and documentation systems in palliative care setting. We developed a minimal documentation system (MIDOS) for the specific requirements in this setting. ⋯ We conclude that MIDOS is a valid instrument for self-assessment of the patient's symptoms and may be used to monitor the efficacy of symptom management.