Numeric Rating Scale Scores Research Articles

Nociception level index-directed superficial parasternal intercostal plane block vs erector spinae plane block in open-heart surgery: a propensity matched non-inferiority clinical trial.

This single-center study explored the efficacy of superficial parasternal intercostal plane block (SPIPB) versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in opioid-sparing within Nociception Level (NOL) index-directed anesthesia for elective open-heart surgery. After targeted propensity matching, 19 adult patients given general anesthesia with preincisional SPIPB were compared to 33 with preincisional ESPB. We hypothesized that SPIPB is non-inferior to ESPB in reducing total intraoperative fentanyl consumption, with a non-inferiority margin (δ) set at 0.1mg. Intraoperative fentanyl dosing targeted a NOL index ≤ 25. Postoperatively, paracetamol 1g 6-hourly and morphine for numeric rating scale (NRS) ≥ 4 were administered. This study could not demonstrate that SPIPB was inferior to ESPB for total intraoperative fentanyl consumption, as the confidence interval for the median difference of 0.1mg (95% CI 0.05-0.15) crossed the predefined δ, with the lower bound falling below and the upper bound exceeding δ, p = 0.558. SPIPB led to higher postoperative morphine use at 24 and 48h: 0 (0-40.6) vs. 59.5 (28.5-96.1) µg kg-1, p < 0.001 and 22.2 (0-42.6) vs. 63.5 (28.5-96.1) µg kg-1, p = 0.001. Four times fewer SPIPB patients remained morphine-free at 48h, p < 0.001, and their time to first morphine dose was three times shorter compared to ESPB patients, p = 0.001. SPIPB led to higher time-weighted average NRS scores at rest, 1 (0-1) vs. 1 (1-2), p = 0.004, and with movement, 2 (1-2) vs. 3 (2-3), p = 0.002, calculated over the 48-h period post-extubation. The SPIPB group had a significantly higher average NOL index, p = 0.003, and greater NOL index variability, p = 0.027. This study could not demonstrate that SPIPB was inferior to ESPB for intraoperative fentanyl consumption. Significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes, with SPIPB leading to higher postoperative morphine use, higher pain scores, and reduced nociception control.

Effect of Dural Puncture Epidural Technique on Management of Breakthrough Pain for Parous Women Receiving Labor Analgesia during Induced Labor: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study assessed the effectiveness of the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique in managing breakthrough pain in parous women receiving labor analgesia during induced labor. This single-center retrospective cohort study included term pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who received treatment for breakthrough pain during labor. All participants underwent induced labor, and some parous women among them underwent DPE. The DPE technique consisted of placing an epidural catheter after dural puncture with a 27-gauge spinal needle. Eligible women were allocated into a DPE group and conventional epidural (CE) anesthesia group. Pain was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS), and a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) bolus was administered when the NRS score was ≥3. Breakthrough pain was defined as an NRS score ≥3 during PCEA management. The primary outcome was the efficacy of rescue interventions in managing breakthrough pain, as determined by a reduction in pain intensity to an NRS score <3 before birth. Among the 55 parous women who received labor analgesia, 44 required additional rescue administration for breakthrough pain. Of the remaining women, 23 received DPE and 19 received CE anesthesia. The DPE group experienced significantly more effective relief of breakthrough pain before birth than did the CE group (DPE: 100%; CE: 68.4%; p=0.005). In parous women, DPE anesthesia was more effective than CE anesthesia in providing analgesia for breakthrough pain immediately before delivery during induced labor.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block under ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Objective: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 74 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from December 2023 to February 2024 were prospectively included, whose age ranged from 18 to 80 years and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade were Ⅰ-Ⅲ. Patients were divided into two groups using block randomization: infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block group (observation group) and interscalene block group (control group), with 37 cases in each group. In the anesthesia preparation room, all patients received nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was administered to all patients following surgery. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain within 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included the highest NRS score within 48 hours postoperatively, the amount of sufentanil used via PCIA within 48 hours postoperatively, the incidence of rescue analgesia and rebound pain, QoR-40 scores, and the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours. The non-inferiority margin for the AUC of NRS scores between the two types of regional nerve blocks was set at "2.6". Results: A total of 35 patients were included in the observation group [17 males, 18 females, aged (58.1±9.1) years], and 36 patients were included in the control group [12 males, 24 females, aged (57.0±9.8) years]. The AUC of the NRS scores at rest within 24 hours post-operation was 51.7±10.9 in the observation group and 62.6±13.6 in the control group. The difference in AUC between the two groups was -10.9 (95%CI:-16.8--5.1), with the upper limit of the 95%CI falling below the predefined non-inferiority margin of "2.6" (non-inferiority P<0.001). The highest NRS score [M (Q1, Q3)] within 48 hours post-surgery was 3 (3, 4) in the control group, which was significantly higher than the observation group's score of 2 (2, 3) (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 0-12 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly higher than the control group's dose of 8 (6, 10) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 12-24 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 8 (8, 10) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly lower than the control group's median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 24-48 hours, there was no statistically significant difference in the dose of sufentanil between the two groups of patients (P=0.548). In the observation group, the incidence of rescue analgesia within 48 hours postoperatively was 0 (0/35), which was lower than that of the control group at 22.2% (8/36) (P=0.010). The occurrence of rebound pain in the observation group was 0 (0/35), and the control group was 11.1% (4/36), no statistically significant difference was found between two groups (P=0.130). In the observation group, the QoR-40 score within 24 hours post-operation was 180.2±3.2, which was higher than the control group's score of 175.8±4.7 (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours between the two groups (P=0.372). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block demonstrates a comparable analgesic effect to interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery within the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Effectiveness of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients with Radiculopathy - A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition characterized by pain radiating from the lower back to the lower limb, with high prevalence rates in the Indian population. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with radiculopathy. Materials and Method: The present study included 31 patients with intervertebral disc prolapse and radiculopathy confirmed by MRI. Patients received lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection and were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18). A statistically analysis was carried using the Friedman test and Post-hoc Wilcoxon signed rank test with p&lt;0.005 as significant value. Results: Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores decreased substantially from 6.81 to 3.45 immediately after the procedure and remained low at 6-12 weeks (3.42-3.74), with a slight increase at 24 weeks (4.23). Similarly, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores improved notably from 44.19 to 29.16 immediately after the procedure and remained improved at 6-24 weeks (30.00-33.48). Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18), showed a brief improvement post-procedure (4.09) but returned to near baseline levels (3.97-4.01) over the long-term follow-up period. These findings were statistically significant, with p-values of 0.000 for NRS, ODI, and PSQ-18 scores over follow-ups. Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a safe and effective treatment for lumbar radiculopathy, providing short-term pain relief and functional improvement. However, long-term efficacy remains unclear, highlighting the need for further large-scale, long-term research to optimize treatment outcomes.

The effect of combined pudendal nerve and spermatic cord block or caudal epidural block on postoperative analgesia after posterior urethroplasty: a randomized trial

BackgroundPostoperative pain management remains a significant challenge for patients undergoing posterior urethroplasty (PU). In a previous study, we proposed a novel technique of combined pudendal nerve (PN) and spermatic cord (SC) block to manage pain after PU. The present trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that this technique is effective for pain control after PU and provides longer-lasting analgesia than caudal epidural block (CB).MethodsSixty patients undergoing PU were randomized into two groups: Group NB received combined PN and SC block, and Group CB received CB. General anesthesia with a laryngeal mask was performed. The primary outcome was the postoperative analgesic duration, and the secondary outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain and the number of patients with different motor scores of the lower limb at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively.ResultsTwo patients in Group CB were withdrawn due to block failure. The postoperative analgesic duration was statistically longer in Group NB compared with Group CB (mean difference [95% confidence interval], 115.78 min [17.80, 213.75]; P = 0.021). The NRS scores for pain at 12 and 24 h after surgery were statistically lower in Group NB compared with Group CB. Group NB had statistically more patients with motor score 0 at 3 h postoperatively than Group CB.ConclusionsPN combined with SC block is an effective technique for postoperative analgesia in PU. This technique can achieve a longer duration of analgesia and lower pain scores, especially 12 h after surgery, than a CB.Trial registrationThis study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (registration no. ChiCTR2100042971, registration date on 2/2/2021).

Related Factors and Risk Prediction of Chronic Pain after Knee Replacement.

This study aimed to explore potential risk factors associated with chronic pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to establish the risk prediction model of chronic postoperative pain (CPSP). This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 160 patients who underwent TKA in our hospital between January 2021 and January 2024. Relevant data such as the baseline characteristics, past medical history, CPSP condition, and pain numerical rating scale (NRS) were retrieved from the medical information system. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the risk factors affecting the postoperative CPSP of the patients. The identified risk factors were incorporated to develop a risk-prediction model. Among the 160 patients, 67 (41.88%) had CPSP at or around the operation incision. The NRS pain score was significantly higher in the CPSP group than in the non-CPSP group during exercise preoperative and 3 months post-operation. Furthermore, the CPSP group had a higher NRS score than the non-CPSP group at rest 3 months after the procedure (p < 0.05). We observed that the preoperative NRS score, preoperative hospital for special surgery (HSS) score, postoperative functional training, and postoperative adverse events were the independent factors influencing the occurrence of CPSP after TKA (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between preoperative NRS score, postoperative adverse events, and CPSP pain severity, and a significant negative correlation between preoperative HSS score, postoperative functional training, and CPSP pain severity (p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had excellent calibration and prediction capabilities for the predictive model of CPSP after TKA, with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.868 (95% CI: 0.811-0.925). In this study, the predictive model of CPSP risk for patients after TKA surgery was initially constructed, which can help medical staff predict the risk of CPSP in patients after surgery individually, thereby preventing the occurrence of CPSP.

Acupuncture combined with opioid for treatment of lung cancer-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many individuals diagnosed with lung cancer suffer from tremendous pain, and it is crucial to implement more effective measures to assist these patients in alleviating their pain. The present study utilizes a meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture combined with opioids for treating lung cancer-related pain in patients. We have searched 8 electronic databases: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and SinoMed. We included all randomized controlled trials of acupuncture combined with opioids for lung cancer-related pain in adults. We observed the main outcome indicators, including pain relief rates, numeric rating scale scores, and adverse events. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, literature data extraction, and assessment of bias risk in the literature quality. Any disagreements were resolved through discussions between the 2 researchers or consultations with a third researcher. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised risk of bias assessment tool. The overall quality of evidence for each outcome was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations. We retrieved 812 lung cancer patients from 11 trials. The study showed that compared to opioids alone, the combination of acupuncture and opioids significantly reduced numeric rating scale scores, increased pain relief rates, and decreased the occurrence of side effects. The current evidence indicates that combining acupuncture with opioid analgesics is superior to using opioid analgesics alone for managing lung cancer-related pain. Additionally, this combination therapy has fewer adverse reactions.

Postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy: A comparison between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia

Objective: Propofol is more effective than inhalational anesthesia; however, the results for the management of acute pain remain controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence of acute pain after inhalation anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia among patients who underwent thoracotomy at our hospital. Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective observational study using data from electronic medical records. Sixty patients aged ≥20 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I or II who underwent regular and emergency thoracotomy between January 1, 2016, and January 1, 2020, at Chungbuk National University Hospital were included in this study. The anesthesia and postoperative pain records of those who received total intravenous anesthesia (n=30) and inhalation anesthesia (n=30) were retrospectively reviewed. The pain score on the numeric rating scale (NRS) was evaluated at 2, 8, 24, and 30 hours postoperatively. Results: The average NRS score of patients who received total intravenous anesthesia was lesser than that of those who received inhalational anesthesia. Moreover, the difference in the NRS scores at eight hours postoperatively was statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). Patients who received inhalational anesthesia had a higher pain score and experienced more severe pain than those who received intravenous anesthesia. Conclusions: Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil provided better analgesia for acute postoperative pain in patients who underwent thoracotomy than inhalational anesthesia, suggesting it may be considered the combination of choice for thoracic surgery.Abbreviations: ASA: American Society of Anesthesiologists, CRTS: Chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, GABA: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, IL: Interleukin, NRS: numeric rating scale.doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.9907How to cite this: Lee JY, Jeong ST, Hwang JH, Park SH. Postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy: A comparison between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(10):2219-2222. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.10.9907This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Rescue analgesia with a transversus abdominis plane block alleviates moderate-to-severe pain and improves oxygenation after abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Abdominal surgery is a common surgical procedure that is frequently associated with substantial postoperative pain. However, rescue analgesia using opioids is associated with several adverse effects. The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) has been demonstrated to be effective as part of multimodal analgesia. This study aims to evaluate the effects of rescue analgesia using the TAPB following abdominal surgery. Ninety patients undergoing abdominal surgery and reporting a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of cough pain ≥4 on the first postoperative day were randomized to receive either sufentanil or TAPB for rescue analgesia. Pain scores and arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) were evaluated before and after the administration of rescue analgesia. Sleep quality and gastrointestinal function were assessed postoperatively. The primary outcome was the degree of pain relief on coughing 30 min after the administration of rescue analgesia. Patients of both groups reported a significantly reduced NRS score on coughing 30 min after receiving rescue analgesia (P paired < 0.001 for both groups). Notably, the degree of pain relief was significantly higher in the TAPB group than in the sufentanil group [median (interquartile range), -3 (-4 to -2) vs. -2 (-2 to -1), median difference = -1; 95% confidence interval, -2 to -1; P < 0.001]. Moreover, patients in the TAPB group experienced less pain than those in the sufentanil group during the following 24 h. When evaluated, PaO2 increased significantly after rescue analgesia was administered in the TAPB group (P paired < 0.001); however, there were no significant intragroup differences in the sufentanil group (P paired = 0.129). Patients receiving the TAPB experienced better quality of sleep than those receiving sufentanil (P = 0.008), while no statistical differences in gastrointestinal function were observed between the two groups. Rescue analgesia with the TAPB on the first postoperative day alleviated pain, enhanced oxygenation, and improved sleep quality in patients undergoing abdominal surgery; however, its effect on gastrointestinal function requires further research. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=170983, ChiCTR2200060285) on 26 May 2022: Patients were recruited during the period between 30 May 2022 and 14 February 2023, and a follow-up of the last enrolled patient was completed on 16 March 2023.

It doesn't hurt as long as I don't move: Aligning pain assessment in patients with rib fractures with mobilization needed for recovery.

Rib fracture pain is a major issue but likely underappreciated, given that patients avoid activity due to the pain. Pain is one criterion used to determine if someone is a candidate for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). The purpose of this study was to assess pain for rib fracture patients, hypothesizing pain from rib fractures is underappreciated in current practice. A prospective study analyzing patients with one or more rib fractures admitted to our Level I trauma center from March 2023 through February 2024. Exclusion criteria included refusal to participate, ventilator dependent, younger than 18 years, moderate/severe traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, pregnancy, or incarceration. Basic demographics were obtained. Participants rated their pain on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale while resting in bed and performing a series of movements (0, no pain; 10, worst pain imaginable). Movements included incentive spirometer, flexion, extension, bilateral side bending, bilateral rotation, and holding a 5-pound dumbbell. Patients undergoing SSRF were surveyed pre- and postoperatively. Outcomes included the difference between pain scores at rest versus performing all movements, difference between pain scores pre- and post-SSRF, and incentive spirometry pre- and postoperatively. Nonparametric analysis was completed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. One-hundred two patients were enrolled. The mean age was 60 ± 15 years; 57.8% were male. The median pain score at rest was 3 (interquartile range [IQR], 2-5.5). Pain scores significantly increased to >5 for all movements. Thirty-one patients underwent SSRF. Resting pain prior to SSRF was 3 (IQR, 1-6) and postoperatively was 2 (IQR, 1.5-3) (p = 0.446). For all movements, median Numerical Rating Scale score was significantly less after SSRF (p < 0.001). The median incentive spirometry was 1,100 mL (IQR, 625-1,600 mL) preoperatively and 2,000 mL (IQR, 1,475-2,250 mL) postoperatively. Traditional assessment of pain in patients with rib fractures significantly underappreciates true pain severity caused by movements involving the chest wall and should be considered when evaluating for SSRF. Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Deep Neuromuscular Block with Low Pressure Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Postoperative pain management remains a challenge in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) in conjunction with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum )PP) on postoperative pain, surgical parameters, and recovery outcomes. Methods: This randomized controlled double-blind study included 44 participants undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Patients were randomized equally into two groups (22 each): Group D received deep NMB, while group M received moderate NMB using cis-atracurium, through the utilization of computer-generated random numbers enclosed within sealed, opaque envelopes, following a parallel approach. Regarding deep NMB, following an initial dose of 0.15 mg/kg, a continuous infusion of 0.06 - 0.12 mg/kg/hr was administered to maintain a post-tetanic count between 1 and 2, with low PP pressure of 10 - 12 mmHg. Conversely, for moderate NMB, after the same initial dose of 0.15 mg/kg, the continuous infusion commenced upon the train-of-four count returning to 2, with the rate adjusted to sustain a count between 1 and 3, and standard PP pressure of 15 mmHg. The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity as measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). The secondary outcomes included postoperative pain intensity measured by NRS scores from 2 hours to 48 hours post-surgery, time to first analgesic administration, cumulative opioid consumption within the initial 48-hour postoperative period, and patient-reported satisfaction with postoperative pain management. Statistical analysis using SPSS v26 included tests for normality (Shapiro-Wilks), with parametric data analyzed by t-test, non-parametric data by Mann-Whitney, and qualitative data by chi-square/Fisher's test. Results: Group D experienced a considerably longer time until the first analgesic rescue compared to group M (9.82 ± 1.5 hours vs. 7.23 ± 1.19 hours, P &lt; 0.001). Morphine consumption in the first 24 hours was lower in Group D (10.77 ± 1.51 mg vs. 13.09 ± 1.74 mg, P &lt; 0.001). At 6, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively, group D exhibited significantly lower pain scores (P &lt; 0.05). Surgical duration, surgical field quality, complication rates, and patient satisfaction were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Deep NMB combined with low-pressure PP provided superior postoperative analgesia without compromising surgical field quality or increasing complications in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries.

Efficacy and uterine bleeding patterns in initiating goserelin therapy during different menstrual phases in patients with adenomyosis: a prospective cohortstudy.

We carried out this study to explore the possibility of initiating goserelin therapy during the non-menstrual period in patients diagnosed with adenomyosis. 115 premenopausal adenomyosis patients were enrolled and divided into three groups based on their menstrual cycle phase during the initial outpatient visit: menstrual, follicular, and luteal. Each received a 3.6 mg subcutaneous dose of goserelin monthly for three months. The endpoints encompassed alterations in uterine volume, dysmenorrhea Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score, CA125 level, hemoglobin (HGB) after a 12-week treatment course, and the occurrence and duration of uterine hemorrhage during the first treatment cycle. Analysis revealed that the timing of goserelin therapy initiation in the menstrual cycle did not significantly impact its effectiveness in reducing uterine size, alleviating pain, lowering CA125 levels, or improving hemoglobin concentrations. However, patients starting treatment during the luteal phase experienced increased uterine bleeding (reference: menstrual period, OR = 4.33, 95% CI 1.23-15.25, p = .023). The results suggested non-inferiority of goserelin therapy initiated during the non-menstrual period, but the uterine bleeding rate was higher in the luteal phase group. Therefore, goserelin treatment for outpatient adenomyosis patients should not be limited to starting during the menstrual period; it can also be initiated outside the menstrual period, providing more convenience for patients as most consultations occur outside the menstrual period. However, the use of goserelin during the luteal phase should be avoided to reduce the risk of exacerbated bleeding, especially in anemic patients with heavy menstrual bleeding. This study highlights the importance of individualizing treatment initiation based on the patient's health profile to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse effects. ChiCTR2200059548.

Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib Cream in Atopic Dermatitis Based on Previous Medication History.

For some patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), topical corticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), and systemic therapies are inadequate to control disease or are associated with adverse events (AEs). Ruxolitinib cream monotherapy demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects among patients enrolled in two pivotal phase 3 studies (TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2); most patients had long-term disease control with as-needed use during the 44-week long-term safety (LTS) period. This post hoc analysis explored efficacy and safety of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream by previous medication use. Patients aged ≥ 12years enrolled in TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2 were randomized 2:2:1 to twice-daily 0.75% or 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or vehicle cream for 8 weeks, followed by a 44-week LTS period; patients initially on vehicle were re-randomized 1:1 to either ruxolitinib cream strength. Within 12months of enrollment (N = 1249), previous AD therapies were used by 89.4% of efficacy-evaluable patients applying vehicle or ruxolitinib cream (n = 725); of these, 80.4% received TCS (n = 583), 22.2% TCI (n = 161), 20.3% TCS + TCI (n = 147), and 18.9% systemic therapies (n = 137). Across previous medication subgroups, achievement of Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA)-treatment success (IGA 0/1 with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline), ≥ 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index from baseline, and ≥ 4-point improvement in Itch numerical rating scale score from baseline at Week 8 did not substantially differ among patients who applied ruxolitinib cream. Outcomes were similar to those in the overall study population. At all study visits during the LTS period, > 70% of patients in each subgroup had IGA 0/1 and a low percentage (generally < 3%) of affected body surface area. Treatment-related AEs across subgroups were reported in 7.3% (n = 35/481)to17.4% (n = 19/109) of patients. Continuous-use ruxolitinib cream monotherapy for 8weeks followed by as-needed use was effective and well tolerated, regardless of previous topical or systemic therapy, with outcomes similar to those achieved in the overall study population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03745638/NCT03745651.

A comparative effectiveness study of usual care, simple Chuna manual therapy, and complex Chuna manual therapy for the treatment of pelvic biomechanical lesions in patients with non-acute low back pain: a protocol for multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundChuna manual therapy (CMT), a Korean manual therapy technique predominantly used for treating low back pain (LBP) and related disorders, lacks well-conceived research focusing on its comparative effectiveness, safety, and economic evaluation, particularly with respect to complex CMT with established CMT diagnostic algorithms. This study aims to illustrate a protocol for a randomized clinical study for comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of complex CMT with simple CMT and usual care.MethodsThis is a protocol for a three-armed, multicenter, assessor-blinded, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial study. A total of 81 patients suffering from non-acute LBP with pelvic biomechanical lesions (PBL), characterized by a pain duration of at least two weeks and a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 5 or higher, will be recruited from two Korean medicine hospitals. These participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: complex CMT plus usual care (UC; n = 27), simple CMT plus UC (n = 27), or UC groups (n = 27). They will undergo treatment for 4 weeks, and follow-up assessments will be performed 8 weeks after treatment completion. The primary outcome will be the NRS score of LBP, and secondary outcomes will include the Oswestry Disability Index, Patient Global Impression of Change, credibility and expectancy questionnaire, three-dimensional posture analysis indicators, quality of life assessment, economic evaluation, and safety assessments.DiscussionThis will be the first study to assess the comparative effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of complex CMT compared to UC and simple/complex CMT in patients with LBP and PBL. We will also analyze useful diagnostic methods to help in clinical practice for CMT diagnosis.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (CRIS), KCT0009210. Registered on February 28, 2024.

White matter microstructure damage measured by automated fiber quantification correlates with pain symptoms in lung cancer patients.

To investigative the white matter (WM) alterations in lung cancer patients with cancer pain (CP+), and explore the correlations between damaged WM fiber tracts and clinical indicators. Twenty-six CP+, 26 lung cancer patients without CP (CP-), and 31 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and clinical assessments. Automated fiber quantification (AFQ) technique was performed to identify the 20 WM fiber bundles, and the fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were extracted. Intergroup comparisons of these diffusion metrics were conducted based on the entire fiber bundle level and 100 node levels along each tract. The associations between altered diffusion metrics and the numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, as well as the pain duration, were analyzed. At the entire level, the CP + group showed impaired WM structure in the right cingulum hippocampus (CH_R). At the pointwise level, the CP + group exhibited extensive nodal FA reduction or MD, RD, and AD elevation. In addition, the AD of the posterior portion of the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF_R, nodes 71-75) in the CP + group was positively correlated with the pain duration, and the FA of CH_R (nodes 22-38) was negatively correlated with NRS score. Extensive WM microstructural damage may be a pattern of brain abnormalities in lung cancer patients with CP, and in particular, specific nodal disruption along pain-related fiber tracts may be a sensitive imaging biomarker to characterize the severity and duration of CP.

Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block in Elderly Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): A Triple-blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUNDTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) induces postoperative pain in elderly individuals. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel analgesic approach for postoperative pain control. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided ESPB with ropivacaine in reducing pain in elderly patients undergoing THA METHODSPatients aged 60 to 80 years who had an American society of Aneshesiologists (ASA) physical status I to III were eligible for this study. There were 50 patients who were randomized into two groups: the ESPB group receiving ultrasound-guided ESPB with ropivacaine, and the control group receiving ESPB with normal saline. All patients underwent general anesthesia, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), intraoperative opioid consumption, numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded throughout the perioperative period. RESULTSA significant reduction in NRS scores was observed in the ESPB group compared to the control group at various time points, including in the recovery room and at 12 and 24 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). When the observation period was extended to 48 hours, no significant difference in NRS scores was noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). No significant differences in MAP and HR were found between the two groups, but the ESPB group showed lower coefficients of variation (CV) for both MAP and HR. Moreover, the ESPB group demonstrated a significantly lower total remifentanil consumption than the control group. There was no significant difference in complications between these two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONSUltrasound-guided ESPB enhances the perioperative stability of mean arterial pressure and heart rate, providing effective analgesia within the initial 24 hours post-surgery, thereby reducing opioid requirements and improving overall postoperative recovery quality for elderly THA patients.

Bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in paediatric idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spine fusion surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Major spinal surgery causes severe pain. We examined the ability of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) to alleviate pain after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) in paediatric scoliosis patients. Seventy-two patients who underwent PSF were randomized into a preoperative ultrasound-guided ESPB group or a no-block control group. The composite primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the numerical rating scale (NRS) score in the first 24h after surgery and the number of parent-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) boluses administered 24h after surgery. The secondary outcomes included the NRS score, opioid consumption, rescue analgesia, adverse events, and quality of recovery. The AUC-NRS at rest was 62 (13) in the ESPB group and 89 (13) in the control group (P < 0.001). There were 15 (5) 24-h PCIA boluses administered in the ESPB group and 30 (7) in the control group (P < 0.001). Compared with those in the control group, the NRS scores at rest were lower in the ESPB group at 0, 3, 6, and 9h postoperatively, and the NRS scores during movement were lower in the ESPB group at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12h postoperatively. The ESPB group showed a lower need for PCIA than did the control group at 0-6, 6-12, 12-18 and 1-24h postoperatively. In the ESPB group, fewer patients required rescue analgesics, and patients exhibited a higher quality of recovery. Preoperative ESPB improves postoperative analgesia in paediatric scoliosis patients who underwent PSF. ChiCTR2300074505. August 8, 2023.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral rectus sheath block vs. local anesthetic infiltration in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing midline laparotomy: a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Postoperative pain is a serious problem in gynecological oncology patients. Rectus sheath block (RSB) is increasingly utilized as a part of multimodal analgesia. The purpose of this three blinded, randomized-controlled trial is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided (US-guided) bilateral rectus sheath block (BRSB) and local anesthetic wound infiltration (LAWI) application in patients undergoing midline laparotomy for gynecologic cancer. This prospective, single-center, three-blinded, randomized clinical trial enrolled a total of 60 patients who underwent surgery through a midline laparotomy. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups and were administered either LAWI or BRSB with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine just after the end of surgery. Both groups were compared for Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, time to first analgesic requirement, total tramadol consumption. Fifty-five patients (BRSB=28, LAWI=27) completed the study. The BRSB group had significantly lower NRS scores at 2, 6, 12, and 24th hours (P<0.001). The median (interquartile range, IQR) NRS scores for BRSB group were 3 (3-3) at 2nd hours, 3 (2-4) at 6th hours, 3 (2-4) at 12th hours and 3 (2-3) at 24th hours. For the LAWI group, the median (IQR) NRS scores were 4 (3-4) at 2nd hours, 4 (3-5) at 6th hours, 4 (3-4) at 12th hours and 4 (3-4) at 24th hours. The BRSB group had significantly less additional tramadol consumption than the LAWI group (P<0.001). The US-guided BRSB is a safe and feasible technique. This technique resulted in reduced postoperative pain scores, decreased tramadol usage, and prolonged pain relief compared to LAWI.

Effects of oral pregabalin on postoperative sleep of patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of oral pregabalin at varying concentrations on postoperative sleep of patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and to identify the optimal dosage. A total of 120 VATS-treated patients admitted from June 2023 to October 2023 were randomly assigned to be orally administered with 75 mg pregabalin, 150 mg pregabalin and starch capsules (control group) at a 1:1:1 ratio. One capsule of pregabalin (75 mg) and one capsule of placebo with the same shape and odor, two capsules of pregabalin (150 mg), and two capsules of placebo with the same shape and odor were administered orally to patients in the three groups on the night of surgery, and in the morning and evening of postoperative days 2 and 3. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) on postoperative day 1 (POD1). The secondary outcomes included the St.Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMH), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and pain intensity measured with a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for PSD in VATS-treated patients. The incidence of PSD on POD1 in the 75 mg pregabalin group and 150 mg pregabalin group was significantly lower than that of the control group (45.0% vs. 42.5% vs. 72.5%; P<0.0167 for two-by-two comparisons of groups A and B with group C, respectively). The SMH scores at night on POD1-3 were significantly higher in the 75 mg pregabalin group and 150 mg pregabalin group than those of the control group (P<0.05). Since there was definitive lower incidence of pain in the experimental groups,the median NRS scores of the incisional pain on POD2-3 were significantly lower in the 75 mg pregabalin group and 150 mg pregabalin group (P<0.05). The incidence of dizziness in the 150 mg pregabalin group was significantly higher than that of the 75 mg pregabalin group and control group (55.0% vs. 25.0% vs. 32.5%; P<0.0167 for two-by-two comparisons of groups A and C with group B, respectively). NRS score on POD1, preoperative PSQI and Self-Rating Depression Scale scores were risk factors for PSD in VATS-treated patients. Oral administration of 75 mg or 150mg pregabalin for consecutive three days after VATS effectively reduces the incidence of PSD and improves the quality of sleep.

The Impact of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on Lower Limb Muscle Stiffness in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with clinicians often observing increased muscle stiffness associated with joint pain and dysfunction. This study examines the impact of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), a non-pharmacological technique, on muscle stiffness in the lower limbs of individuals with knee OA. This study protocol is a pilot, single-center, randomized controlled trial. Sixty knee OA patients will be allocated equally for FSN or electroacupuncture (EA) treatments. Interventions will be applied thrice weekly for the first two weeks and twice weekly for the subsequent two weeks for a total of ten sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-initial session, after four weeks of intervention, and at the end of a four-week follow-up. The primary outcome will be the muscle stiffness in the lower extremities, as measured by shear wave elastography (SWE). Secondary outcomes include response rate, a reduction in the mean pain intensity on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) by at least two points and on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function subscale by six points at week four compared with baseline. Weekly monitoring of the NRS and WOMAC scores will determine the rapidity of pain alleviation and functional improvement, along with 12-item short-form (SF-12) score changes from baseline to week four. This is the first standardized protocol examining the effects of FSN on lower limb muscle stiffness in patients with knee OA by SWE. We hypothesize that FSN could outperform EA in alleviating lower limb stiffness associated with knee OA. Findings will contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the efficacy of acupuncture-derived interventions in managing muscle stiffness and may guide future research directions. The trial has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registered number: ChiCTR2300073615). Registered 17 July 2023.