Articles: pain-management.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effects of electrical stimulation at different frequencies on perception and pain in human volunteers: epidural versus intravenous administration of fentanyl.
The study was performed to determine whether epidural fentanyl produced segmental sensory changes to electrical stimulation at different frequencies. Eight healthy volunteers received fentanyl 1 microgram/kg both intravenously and epidurally in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over fashion. Perception thresholds and amount of current required to elicit a predetermined level of moderate pain (Cmp) at 5,250, and 2000 Hz stimulation were measured at ipsilateral dermatomes C2 and L2 at 0, 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after injection. ⋯ In contrast, epidural fentanyl increased Cmp only at the L2 dermatome and only at 5 Hz (P = 0.005). We conclude that an epidural bolus of fentanyl results in segmental spinal analgesia to transcutaneous electrical stimulation only at specific frequencies. Furthermore, pain produced by stimulation at 5 Hz may have a different pharmacology than pain produced by 250 Hz stimulation.
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Management of pain after spinal cord injury remains a difficult clinical problem. In particular, neuropathic spinal cord injury pain, like other forms of deafferentation pain in which there is loss or modification of normal afferent sensory inputs, is notoriously resistant to currently available modes of treatment. Although there have been some advances in our understanding of spinal cord injury pain, the mechanisms of neuropathic spinal cord injury pain remain largely unknown and treatment is often ineffective. This review presents findings from recent publications that deal with the mechanisms and management of spinal cord injury pain.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Dec 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialRelaxation and the relief of cancer pain.
Progressive muscle relaxation combined with guided imagery has the potential to promote relief of cancer pain. The techniques appear to produce a relaxation response that may break the pain-muscle-tension-anxiety cycle and facilitate pain relief through a calming effect. The techniques can be taught by nurses and readily learned by patients. The techniques provide a self-care strategy that, to a limited extent, shifts the locus of control from clinician to patient.
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The neurologist is an important part of the pain management team. Factors that can alter presentation and complicate establishing a diagnosis are reviewed. ⋯ Treatment planning consists of addressing potential sources of failure of pain management, setting appropriate goals, and using the diagnostic assessment to plan pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions based on pain mechanisms. Even if pharmacologic interventions do not alter pain, an education-oriented behavioral pain program integrated with physical therapy can improve function and foster self-reliance in controlling pain.