Effective Pain Relief Research Articles

The Evaluation of the Pain-Relief Effect of Mechanical Vibration in Conventional Fixed and Clear Aligner Treatments

The Evaluation of the Pain-Relief Effect of Mechanical Vibration in Conventional Fixed and Clear Aligner Treatments

An integrated approach to the treatment of acute pain syndrome in military personnel with phantom pain at the hospital stage

Resume. Taking into account the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the problem of adequate pain relief for patients with phantom pain has become relevant, especially at the hospital stage. Effective pain relief for such patients improves their quality of life, so it is of significant socio-economic importance. Objective. To investigate the results of treatment of phantom pain in military personnel at the hospital stage and to develop the basis for a protocol for the treatment of acute phantom pain syndrome in such patients. Materials and methods. The number of military patients who were treated at the Feofaniya Clinical Hospital and participated in the study is not disclosed, as any military losses are a military secret. The number of subjects with phantom pain was 35.7% of the total number of wounded military patients. The intensity of pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the neuropathic pain scale (thes-lanss pain score) and the phantom pain scale Limb deficiency and phantom limb questionnaire. Depression and anxiety in patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), PHQ9. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients were treated according to the local protocol of Feofania Clinical Hospital. Results. The data of pain intensity scales in military patients with phantom pain before and after treatment at the stage of clinical hospitals showed a decrease in pain intensity in 94 % of patients, improvement in sleep in 92 % of patients and reduction in anxiety and depression in 81 % of patients. Conclusions. Based on these scales, it can be concluded that it is the combined approach to the treatment of phantom pain in the military at the stage of clinical hospitals that can improve the quality of life of military personnel, and in some cases relieve such patients from acute pain, thereby preventing the development of chronic pain syndrome. The developed protocol for the treatment of phantom pain can be recommended for use in other medical institutions in Ukraine. Conclusions. cases relieve such patients from acute pain, thereby preventing the development of chronic pain syndrome. Tcan be recommended for use in other medical institutions in Ukraine

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) root oleaginous macerate: preparation and antimicrobial action

Medicinal comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) preparations have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and pain-relieving effects, so extracts from the roots of comfrey can be incorporated into various preparations for local effects. Clinical studies were confirmed the antimicrobial activity of the plant. But there is still a need to study the antimicrobial effect of various extracts and preparations from this plant. Research problem - what extraction method will ensure the antimicrobial effect of an oil extract of comfrey? The purpose of the study: to select the method of extracting the raw material of the roots of comfrey with oil, to determine and compare the antimicrobial effect. The maceration methods were applied to the extraction of the comfrey: classic and modified. The results showed that the method of extraction from the plant raw material and the modifications of the method have an effect on the quality and effect of the extracts. Based on the result, it can be stated that maceration at higher than room temperature reduced the antimicrobial activity of the obtained macerate.

Medical Marijuana for Pain Management in Hospice Care as a Complementary Approach to Scheduled Opioids: A Single Arm Study.

Background: Opioid therapy is critical for pain relief for most hospice patients but may be limited by adverse side effects. Combining medical cannabis with opioids may help mitigate adverse effects while maintaining effective pain relief. Aim: This single-arm study investigated the impact of combined medical cannabis/opioid therapy on pain relief, opioid dose, appetite, respiratory function, well-being, nausea, and adverse events in hospice inpatients. Design: Adult hospice inpatients using scheduled oral, parenteral, or transdermal opioids for pain were administered standardized oral medical cannabis, 40mg CBD/1.5mg THC or 80mg CBD/3mg THC. Descriptive statistics detailed demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, the Mann-Whitney test compared outcomes, and the longitudinal mixed effects regression model analyzed longitudinal effects of combined therapy. Setting/Participants: Sixty-six inpatients at The Connecticut Hospital, Inc. were assessed over 996 treatment days; average age was 68.2 ± 12.9years, 90.9% were white. Cancer was the most common diagnosis. Results: The medical cannabis/opioid combination showed a significant longitudinal reduction in pain intensity (P = .0029) and a non-significant trend toward lower opioid doses. Well-being, appetite, nausea, and respiratory function showed non-statistically significant changes. Three patients (4.5%) experienced minor, reversible adverse events potentially related to medical cannabis. No serious or life-threatening adverse events were seen. Conclusion: Combination medical cannabis/opioid therapy showed statistically significant pain relief and may have the potential for reducing opioid dose and mitigating opioid toxicity, offering a safe pain management alternative to opioids alone for patients in end-of-life care settings, and warrants further investigation in larger controlled trials.

Knowledge, Perceptions and Desire to Pain Relief in Labor among Iranian Pregnant Women

Background: One way to promote vaginal delivery and reduce unnecessary caesarean section, is paying attention to labor pain relief techniques. The aim was to investigate factors affecting the desire of pregnant women for painless delivery. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 325 pregnant women who referred to prenatal clinics in 2020 and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using researcher-made questionnaire on painless delivery. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v.21. Results: Most of respondents (74%) were between 20-29 years old. 19.69% of participants were nulliparous and 62.76% had diploma. 72% were housewives. 56.61% of the participants had not enough information about pain relief in labor. Only 14 people of whom had information, (9.92%) desired to experience pain relief in labor. Many of the respondents 90.76% were worry about the effects of pain relief on their unborn. 44.68% of participants, who had information about pain relief in labor; got their information regarding the pain relief in labor internet sources. Conclusions: Due to the low level of awareness of pregnant women to use painless delivery and labor pain relief techniques, it is recommended that the necessary measures be taken in order to increase women’s knowledge of the benefits and limitations of painless delivery. Plain language summary: Labor pain is the most painful experience in many women’s lives. It causes a large number of unnecessary cesareans. There are different kinds of pain relief methods. However, it is used a little. This study investigated the information, attitude and tendency to pain relief in labor among pregnant women. It was declared that participants have a few information. They were unwilling to use pain relief methods duo to their probable side effects. So it is felt educational sessions about painless delivery during prenatal care.

Barriers and facilitators to burn first aid practice in the prehospital setting: A qualitative investigation amongst emergency medical service clinicians

First aid cooling for burn injuries improves re-epithelialisation rates and reduces scarring. The objective of this research was to explore and describe barriers and facilitators to the provision of optimal first aid for acute burn patients in the prehospital setting. Emergency medical service (EMS) clinicians in Queensland were invited via email to participate in a survey designed to assess experience, knowledge, and attitudes regarding provision of optimal burn first aid in the prehospital setting (N = 4500). Barriers and facilitators to administering optimal first aid in the prehospital environment were assessed via two open-ended questions with free-text response boxes. An inductive approach to qualitative content analysis was used to analyze free-text data. In total, we included 326 respondents (7.2% response rate). Responses (n = 231) regarding barriers to first aid were classified into 12 categories, within five overarching dimensions. The most common of these was identified as pain. Similarly, free text responses (n = 276) regarding facilitators of burn first aid formed eight dimensions with 21 subcategories – most commonly fast and effective pain relief. Factors influencing burn first aid provision in the prehospital setting were wide-ranging and varied, with pain identified as the most prominent.

Opioid-free versus opioid-sparing anaesthesia in ambulatory total hip arthroplasty: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEnhanced recovery after surgery pathways are essential for ambulatory surgery. They usually recommend lower intraoperative opioid use to avoid opioid-related adverse effects. This has led to opioid-sparing anaesthesia (OSA) techniques, with the extreme approach of opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) mostly with dexmedetomidine. As evidence is lacking in day-case primary total hip arthroplasty, this study was performed to assess the potential benefits in postoperative analgesia of OFA over OSA. MethodsIn this single-centre, prospective, triple blind study, we randomly allocated 80 patients undergoing day-case primary THA under general anaesthesia. Patients received a total intravenous anaesthesia with a laryngeal mask and multimodal analgesic regimen with non-opioid analgesics. The OSA group received low dose of sufentanil, and the OFA group received dexmedetomidine The primary outcome was the opioid consumption in the first 24 h in oral morphine equivalents (OME). ResultsThere was no difference in median cumulative OME consumption at 24 h between the OSA and OFA groups (12 [0–25] mg vs 16 [0–30] mg, respectively; P=0.7). Pain scores were similar and low in both groups with comparable walking recovery time. Adverse events were sparse and equivalent in both groups except for dizziness, which was more frequent in the OSA group (P<0.05). ConclusionsIn day-case total hip arthoplasty under general anaesthesia, opioid-free anaesthesia and opioid-sparing anaesthesia both provide early recovery and effective postoperative pain relief. When compared with opioid-sparing anaesthesia, opioid-free anaesthesia does not decrease opioid consumption in the first 24 h. These findings do not suggest any significant benefit from complete intraoperative avoidance of opioids. Clinical trial registrationNCT0507270.

Clinical comprehensive evaluation of Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules in treatment of chronic pharyngitis

According to the Guidelines for clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine(2022 version), this study comprehensively compared the clinical value of Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules with that of another commonly used Chinese patent medicine(drug A).(1)Effectiveness: Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules had antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects and can improve the total response rate in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis. Moreover, they took effect faster than the control group.(2)Safety: Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules did not cause acute toxicity and long-term toxicity, with low incidence of adverse reactions, which were mild and alleviated after drug withdrawal. Therefore, the risk of Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules was under control.(3)Economy: Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules had lower cost per course of treatment than drug A. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) of Jinsang Liyan Pills combined with Jinsang Qingyin Pills was-39.97 yuan compared with conventional treatment. The ICER of Jinsang Liyan Pills compared with amoxicilin was 0.01 yuan. The results meant that Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules had a cost-effectiveness advantage.(4)Innovation: Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules had reasonably formula and wide indications, meeting the clinical needs. Moreover, they had been authorized four patents of advanced manufacturing technology.(5)Suitability: the storage and administration of Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules were convenient, with clear instruction of medication.(6) Accessibility: Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules had sufficient drug reserve, caused low economic burden of patients, and presented environmental bearing capacity. Finally, Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules were scored 79.10 points, and drug A 67.93 points. The experts reached the consensus of grade A for Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules, which can be directly converted into decision making. The result of this comprehensive evaluation of Jinsang Liyan Pills/Capsules highlight the clinical advantages in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis and lay a foundation for the standardized research on the clinical basic research of the drug in the future.

A refined percutaneous rhizotomy with DSA-guided ethanol for the second-line treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

BackgroundPercutaneous rhizotomy is a group of techniques used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) and Chemical Rhizotomy (CR) using glycerol are among the most frequently used methods. We have recently refined Ethanol Rhizotomy (ER) under Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) guidance. ObjectiveA descriptive, retrospective study was conducted to compare our refined ER and RF ablation in patients with trigeminal neuralgia in terms of long-term pain relief and side effects. MethodBetween 2012 and 2014, 33 patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia were enrolled, 10 of whom received RF and 23 received ER under (DSA) guidance with ethanol injected while in the supine position. The pain relief, duration of pain-free period, need for repeat injection, and recurrence of pain were recorded together with procedure-related complications within 7 years after the procedures. ResultsAfter a single intervention or, in some cases, a maximum of two repeated interventions, all 33 patients experienced complete pain relief. Nevertheless, following a single procedure, the success rate was 95.6% (22/23) in the ER group and 60% (6/10) in the RF group. Notably, complete numbness was the most significant side effect, with a higher incidence in the ER group (30.4%) compared to the RF group (0%) (p = 0.02). The recurrence rate was statistically different (p = 0.01) between the two groups, with 4.4% and 40% recorded in the ER and RF groups, respectively. ConclusionWe demonstrated the usefulness of our refined ER procedure as a safe, cost-effective, and efficient second-line treatment for TN.

Analgesic Effectiveness of Dinalbuphine Sebacate in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Wedge Resection and Its Effect on Reducing Postoperative Pulmonary Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Inadequate postoperative analgesia may cause postoperative complications, such as pulmonary complications. This study evaluated the analgesic effectiveness of a single preoperative injection of dinalbuphine sebacate (DS) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection and assessed whether it can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). In this study, the data of 757 patients who underwent VATS wedge resection at a medical center were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into the DS group and the conventional analgesia (CA) group. The following parameters were analyzed: analgesic consumption during hospitalization, the incidence of PPCs, and the postoperative use of oxygen therapy. Compared with the CA group, the DS group had lower nalbuphine, tramadol, parecoxib, acetaminophen, diclofenac, and utraphen consumption during the postoperative period; higher morphine and ketorolac consumption; and comparable fentanyl consumption. Nonetheless, the frequency of requesting pain relief was significantly lower in the DS group. No significant between-group differences were noted in the incidence of PPCs. However, the DS group had fewer requirements for oxygen therapy in the ward, early removal of chest tubes, and shorter length of hospital stay. A single preoperative injection of DS reduced the frequency of salvage analgesic administration and total consumption of certain postoperative analgesics, suggesting the effective pain relief of DS, and it did not increase the incidence of PPCs. Additionally, it reduced the need for postoperative oxygen therapy, which may suggest a better prognosis and smoother postoperative pulmonary recovery for patients.

PP84 Evaluation Of The Evidence Level Of Scrambler Therapy For Musculoskeletal Pain Relief: A Systematic Literature Review

IntroductionNon-invasive Scrambler Therapy (ST) reduces pain by attaching electrodes to neural pathways of major nerves, transmitting information along with microcurrent to the nerves to induce a painless sensation. The ST has been widely used to reduce pain for patients with musculoskeletal pain. However, little is known about the musculoskeletal pain relief effect of the ST. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the treatment effectiveness of the ST.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted based on the following search strategy and databases, and all studies published before August 2021 were included in Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library, Ovid Medline, Koreamed, kmbase, and Science On. The subjects were patients with intractable and musculoskeletal pain, excluding cancer pain, and intervention methods included non-invasive ST alone or in combination with physical therapy. In addition, the comparative method was not limited. The outcome variables were the degree of pain relief, total analgesic use, health-related quality of life, pressure pain threshold, pain intensity and functional interference scales, and pain sensitivity. Safety-related outcome variables were all side effects. Cochrane Risk of Bias 1.0 was used to assess the risk of bias in the literature.ResultsTwo hundred forty-one articles were retrieved using a pre-determined search strategy. Of these, 15 duplicate articles, 215 articles after reviewing the abstract and title, and nine articles after checking the full text were excluded. Two studies with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally selected. When comparing ST and placebo groups for musculoskeletal pain, the pain reduction effect of ST lasted for three weeks. Moreover, patients with neuropathic pain treated with ST had a lower pain intensity for one to three months compared to the drug treatment group.ConclusionsBased on this systematic review, the effectiveness of ST is yet sufficient owing to small sample size and possibility of selective report bias. More studies with well-designed RCTs are required to further assess the effectiveness of the ST.

Baimai Ointment relieves chronic pain induced by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion in rats by regulating neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and HIF-1 signaling pathway

The Baimai Ointment with the effect of relaxing sinew and activating collaterals demonstrates a definite effect on Baimai disease with pain, spasm, stiffness and other symptoms, while the pharmacodynamic characteristics and mechanism of this agent remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of chronic compression of L4 dorsal root ganglion(CCD) was established by lumbar disc herniation, and the efficacy and mechanism of Baimai Ointment in the treatment of CCD were preliminarily explored by behavioral tests, side effect evaluation, network analysis, antagonist and molecular biology verification. The pharmacodynamic experiment indicated that Baimai Ointment significantly improved the pain thresholds(mechanical pain, thermal pain, and cold pain) and gait behavior of CCD model rats without causing tolerance or obvious toxic and side effects. Baimai Ointment inhibited the second-phase nociceptive response of mice in the formalin test, increased the hot plate threshold of normal mice, and down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. Network analysis showed that Baimai Ointment had synergistic effect in the treatment of CCD and was related to descending inhibition/facilitation system and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, behavioral tests, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay revealed that the pain-relieving effect of Baimai Ointment on CCD may be related to the regulation of the interaction between neuroactive ligand and receptors(neuroligands) such as CHRNA7, ADRA2A, and ADRB2, and the down-regulation of the expression of NOS2/pERK/PI3K, the core regulatory element of HIF-1 signaling pathway in spinal microglia. The findings preliminarily reveal the mechanism of relaxing sinew and activating collaterals of Baimai Ointment in the treatment of Baimai disease, providing a reference for the rational drug use and further research of this agent.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Lidocaine Tape for Topical Anesthesia of the Oral Mucosa: A Preliminary Controlled Trial.

Local anesthesia is administered to reduce pain-induced stress during dental treatment. However, local anesthetic injections are extremely painful; thus, methods to minimize this pain should be developed. Clinical studies on the pain-relieving effects of dental topical anesthetics have shown that few topical anesthetics provide fast and adequate pain relief without harming the oral mucosa. We examined the efficacy and safety of lidocaine tape, which has a potent topical anesthetic effect. Lidocaine tape was applied to the oral mucosa of 14 healthy participants, and its suppression effect was assessed by examining the pain intensity at the non-lidocaine tape-applied site using the visual analog evaluation scale and the verbal evaluation scale. Lidocaine tape application significantly reduced visual analog scale (VAS) scores during mucosal puncture compared to non-application (p < 0.01). Moreover, lidocaine tape application significantly reduced VAS scores during local anesthetic injection compared to non-application (p < 0.001). Adverse events were evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. No adverse events attributed to the application of lidocaine tape were observed in any participant. The findings in this study suggest that the application of lidocaine tape before infiltration anesthesia can reduce patient distress.

The effect of vibrating cold application and puppet use on pain and fear during phlebotomy in children: A randomized controlled study

BackgroundNon-pharmacological methods are often used as a creative strategy to reduce pain and fear in children during a painful procedure such as phlebotomy. ObjectivesThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bee Buzzy and puppet use on pain and fear during phlebotomy in children. MethodsThis randomized controlled study was conducted in the pediatric phlebotomy unit of a university hospital. The CONSORT checklist was used in this study. The sample of 3–6 years children (n = 105) was divided into groups by block randomization. Children's pain and fear scores were evaluated with the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Children's Fear Scale by the parents and the nurse who attempted phlebotomy during phlebotomy. ResultsA statistically significant difference was found between the Bee Buzzy and puppet and Bee Buzzy and control groups in pain scores (p < .05). Pain scores were lower in the Bee Buzzy group than in the puppet and control groups. A statistical difference was found between Bee Buzzy and the control group or puppet and control group according to all fear scores (p < .05). Fear scores were lower in the Bee Buzzy and puppet group (p < .05). ConclusionsThe results show that the use of Bee Buzzy during phlebotomy has a pain-relieving effect, and the use of Bee Buzzy and puppet has an anti-fear effect in 3–6-year-old children. Implications for practicesThe use of Bee-Buzzy and puppets is effective in reducing pain and fear in children as they increase effective communication and distract attention.Clinical Trial Registration: National Institutes of Health (NIH), ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05827783.

Randomised controlled trial of analgesia for the management of acute severe pain from traumatic injury: study protocol for the paramedic analgesia comparing ketamine and morphine in trauma (PACKMaN)

BackgroundPrehospital analgesia is often required after traumatic injury, currently morphine is the strongest parenteral analgesia routinely available for use by paramedics in the United Kingdom (UK) when treating patients with severe pain. This protocol describes a multi-centre, randomised, double blinded trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ketamine and morphine for severe pain following acute traumatic injury.MethodsA two arm pragmatic, phase III trial working with two large NHS ambulance services, with an internal pilot. Participants will be randomised in equal numbers to either (1) morphine or (2) ketamine by IV/IO injection. We aim to recruit 446 participants over the age of 16 years old, with a self-reported pain score of 7 or above out of 10. Randomised participants will receive a maximum of 20 mg of morphine, or a maximum of 30 mg of ketamine, to manage their pain. The primary outcome will be the sum of pain intensity difference. Secondary outcomes measure the effectiveness of pain relief and overall patient experience from randomisation to arrival at hospital as well as monitoring the adverse events, resource use and cost-effectiveness outcomes.DiscussionThe PACKMAN study is the first UK clinical trial addressing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ketamine and morphine in treating acute severe pain from traumatic injury treated by NHS paramedics. The findings will inform future clinical practice and provide insights into the effectiveness of ketamine as a prehospital analgesia.Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN14124474. Registered 22 October 2020, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14124474

Therapeutic Use of Low-Dose Local Anesthetics in Pain, Inflammation, and Other Clinical Conditions: A Systematic Scoping Review

The use of low-dose local anesthetics (LAs) has significantly transformed patient care by providing rapid and effective relief of pain and other clinical conditions while minimizing recovery time. This study aims to identify and describe the existing scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of low-dose LAs in various conditions and to identify gaps in the current literature in order to prioritize future research. This systematic scoping review adhered to the methodological guidelines outlined in the Arksey and O’Malley framework, which includes five distinct stages. Of the 129 studies included, 37.98% (n = 49) were clinical trials, 55.03% (n = 71) were observational studies, and 6.97% (n = 9) were systematic reviews. The most commonly reported indication for the use of low-dose LAs was chronic pain management (72.86%), followed by acute pain management (13.17%). Additionally, non-pain-related indications were also identified (13.95%). Overall, the administration of low-dose, short-acting LAs demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of pain management and reduction in anxiety and depression scales, thereby having a positive impact on the patients’ quality of life. This review represents the first systematic scoping review regarding the therapeutic role of LAs. To substantiate the reported positive effects on efficacy and safety, further rigorous research comprising larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and long-term outcome monitoring is imperative.

Chronic Morphine Induces Adaptations in Opioid Receptor Signaling in a Thalamostriatal Circuit That Are Location Dependent, Sex Specific, and Regulated by μ-Opioid Receptor Phosphorylation.

Chronic opioid exposure induces tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of opioids but sensitization to some other effects. While the occurrence of these adaptations is well understood, the underlying cellular mechanisms are less clear. This study aimed to determine how chronic treatment with morphine, a prototypical opioid agonist, induced adaptations to subsequent morphine signaling in different subcellular contexts. Opioids acutely inhibit glutamatergic transmission from medial thalamic (MThal) inputs to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) via activity at μ-opioid receptors (MORs). MORs are present in somatic and presynaptic compartments of MThal neurons terminating in the DMS. We investigated the effects of chronic morphine treatment on subsequent morphine signaling at MThal-DMS synapses and MThal cell bodies in male and female mice. Surprisingly, chronic morphine treatment increased subsequent morphine inhibition of MThal-DMS synaptic transmission (morphine facilitation) in male, but not female, mice. At MThal cell bodies, chronic morphine treatment decreased subsequent morphine activation of potassium conductance (morphine tolerance) in both male and female mice. In knock-in mice expressing phosphorylation-deficient MORs, chronic morphine treatment resulted in tolerance to, rather than facilitation of, subsequent morphine signaling at MThal-DMS terminals, suggesting phosphorylation deficiency unmasks adaptations that counter the facilitation observed at presynaptic terminals in wild-type mice. The results of this study suggest that the effects of chronic morphine exposure are not ubiquitous; rather adaptations in MOR function may be determined by multiple factors such as subcellular receptor distribution, influence of local circuitry, and sex.

The role of endogenous opioids in mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation for the direct alleviation of evoked chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial.

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition. There are no treatments that haven been found to directly assuage evoked cLBP. To this extent, mindfulness-meditation is a promising pain therapy. Yet, it is unclear if meditation can be utilized to directly attenuate evoked chronic pain through endogenous opioids. A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with a drug crossover design examined if mindfulness-meditation, as compared to sham mindfulness-meditation, attenuated straight leg-raise test evoked chronic pain during intravenous (0.15 mg/kg bolus + 0.15 mg/kg/hour maintenance) naloxone (opioid antagonist) and placebo-saline infusion. Fifty-nine individuals with cLBP (mean age = 46 years; 30 females) completed all study procedures. After the pre-intervention pain testing session, patients were randomized to a four-session (20-min/session) mindfulness (n = 30) or sham mindfulness-meditation (n = 29) intervention. After the interventions, mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation were associated with significant reductions in back pain during saline and naloxone infusion when compared to rest (non-meditation) in response to the cLBP-evoking straight leg-raise test. These results indicate that meditation directly reduces evoked chronic pain through non-opioidergic processes. Importantly, after the interventions, the mindfulness group reported significantly lower straight leg-raise induced pain than the sham mindfulness-meditation group during rest (non-meditation) and meditation. Mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation training was also associated with significantly lower Brief Pain Inventory severity and interference scores. The pain-relieving effects of mindfulness meditation were more pronounced than a robust sham-mindfulness meditation intervention, suggesting that non-reactive appraisal processes may be uniquely associated with improvements in chronic low-back pain.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04034004.

Comparing Efficacy and Safety Aspects of 2% Lidocaine Hydrochloride Combination with 1:80.000 Added Epinephrine Solution versus the Most Commonly Used 2% Lidocaine Hydrochloride Solution in Surgical Procedures on Human Fingers and Toes

The effective management of pain and hemostasis is a pivotal concern in surgical procedures performed on human fingers and toes. The anatomical intricacies and limited tissue volume demand a meticulous approach to ensure both the safety of the patient and the successful outcome of the surgery. The use of vasoconstrictor agents, such as epinephrine, to provide clear surgical field and better surgical outcome further complicates the landscape. While epinephrine is a valuable adjunct to local anesthesia due to its hemostatic properties and ability to prolong anesthetic effects, its application in procedures on fingers and toes necessitates a deep understanding of potential risks and complications. This literature review delves into the comparative analysis of two widely employed local anesthetic solutions which are the 2% lidocaine hydrochloride solution and the 2% lidocaine hydrochloride solution combined with 1:80,000 epinephrine, with specific aim to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety aspects of both local anesthetic solutions. Lidocaine solution alone offers effective pain relief with minimal systemic risks but might lack the extended duration and hemostasis benefits of epinephrine. The lidocaine-epinephrine combination solution provides prolonged anesthesia and reduced bleeding, but clinicians must balance these advantages with the potential for ischemic events and delayed wound healing. Close monitoring, precise dosing, and careful patient selection are paramount in ensuring successful outcomes while minimizing complications.

Effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for mild knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been widely used for various musculoskeletal disorders, including knee osteoarthritis (OA), and has been shown in several studies to be a safe treatment. Although some studies have confirmed the pain-relieving effect of ESWT for knee OA, research on objectivity for structural changes in knee OA is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ESWT treatment mechanisms in patients with knee OA by means of clinical symptoms and ultrasound techniques as objective measures. Eighteen patients with mild knee OA were enrolled and randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups: active or sham. Patients in the experimental group received 0.05 mJ/mm² total energy with 1000 pulses weekly for 3 weeks. We then assessed them before, immediately after, and 1-month after the last treatment using the following measurements: pain on a visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Lequesne index, knee joint range of motion, and ultrasonographic features (articular cartilage thickness, Doppler activity, and joint effusion height). All 18 patients completed the 3 treatment sessions without any complication. Both the experimental and control groups improved in terms of OA symptoms, as measured by the visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, and Lequesne index (P < .05). The height of the suprapatellar effusion decreased with time course in the experimental group (P < .05) and showed significant differences with control group at 1-month follow-up (P < .05). The experimental group showed an increase in knee flexion range of motion and Doppler activity immediately following the last treatment session (P < .05), but the effect was not sustained at the 1-month follow-up. Although the therapeutic activity itself could improve OA symptoms, objective improvements were only observed after ESWT. Suprapatellar effusion height was reduced after ESWT and the effect was maintained after 1-month. Our results suggest that ESWT may be effective in reducing suprapatellar effusion and improving symptoms in mild knee OA. However, studies with a larger sample size are required.