Management Of Persistent Pain Research Articles

Persistent pain in cancer survivors.

As people are living longer after a diagnosis and primary treatment for cancer, or indeed living with cancer as a chronic disease, new problems are emerging in this growing population of so-called 'survivors'. Persistent or chronic pain is one of the commonest complaints, arising from the tissue damage caused by the original neoplasm, consequences of surgery and other therapies, and - especially in older people - multimorbidity. This review explores some of the principle causes and mechanisms of this phenomenon and reviews the evidence for their management. We review recent findings regarding persistent pain in adults after surgery, chemotherapy (including targeted biological therapies), hormone manipulation and radiation therapy; and osteonecrosis from corticosteroid treatment in children with cancer. Recent research has revealed some of the molecular, genetic, phenotypic and psychological factors that predispose some people to developing more persistent pain after cancer, and their long-term outcomes. Although persistent pain in cancer patients surviving after primary treatment has been recognized for decades, only recently has research shown how this arises and some possible ways to intervene by prevention and interventions. New holistic models for management of persistent cancer-related pain are needed.

Influencing Nursing Knowledge and Attitudes to Positively Affect Care of Patients with Persistent Pain in the Hospital Setting

Hospitalized patients with persistent pain are among the most challenging populations to effectively manage because of coexistence with acute pain. Nurses play a vital role in pain management; however, gaps in knowledge and detrimental attitudes exist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted evidence-based pain education program to increase nurses’ knowledge and attitudes about pain management. One group, paired, pretest/posttest educational intervention. A convenience sample of nurses from three medical and surgical inpatient units were recruited. Participants completed a pretest, the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain Scale, to assess education needs. Identified gaps were targeted during program design. The program consisted of two 30-minute interactive educational sessions approximately 1 month apart. The first session, delivered by a pharmacist, covered pharmacology and pathophysiology content. The second session, delivered by trained registered nurses, used case studies paired with video scenarios. A total of 51 nurses completed the pretest. The final sample consisted of 24 nurses who completed both the pretest and posttest. The mean age was 30 years; 88% were female, and 92% were baccalaureate prepared. Paired t tests indicated higher posttest total scores (p < .001) after the education program compared with pretest scores. Overall program satisfaction was positive. This study found improvement in persistent pain management knowledge and attitudes among direct care nurses caring for hospitalized patients. A targeted educational program may be an effective and efficient delivery method.

Patient Perspectives Regarding Ethics of Spinal Column Stimulators in the Surgical Management of Persistent Postoperative Neuropathic Pain

The aim of this study is to better understand perspectives of patients with persistent postoperative neuropathic pain (PPNP) and assess perceptions of the ethical issues surrounding their structural spinal surgeon also performing spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Semistructured face-to-face interviews with 20 neurosurgical spine patients were conducted. Patients were recruited from the neurosurgery clinics at Toronto Western Hospital and were seen in consultation for PPNP. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis using open and axial coding. The range of the duration of participants' preoperative symptoms varied from one month to more than 20 years, and was primarily back dominant (13/20). The median time since patients most recently underwent spinal surgery was three years. The majority of patients (15/20) do not view their current condition of PPNP as a failure of their initial spine surgeon. The most commonly reported reason for this is that patients trusted their physician and clear communication between the physician and the patient, prior to their surgery, ensured an understanding of the goals of the procedure. Nearly unanimously (19/20), patients did not perceive an ethical problem with a surgeon performing a structurally corrective spinal surgery and subsequently also implanting a SCS device if the same patient that develops medically refractory PPNP. This is the first clinical qualitative study of values and ethical perceptions of patients with medically refractory PPNP. Our findings provide a framework for understanding the values of patients with PPNP and demonstrate that a strong surgeon-patient relationship can ameliorate concerns surrounding PPNP and SCS implantation.

PD69-09 SCROTOX: SALVAGE PERI-SPERMATIC CORD BOTULINUM-A TOXIN INJECTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY CHRONIC SCROTAL CONTENT PAIN AFTER MICROSURGICAL DENERVATION OF THE SPERMATIC CORD.

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction: Medical, Hormonal & Non-surgical Therapy II1 Apr 2017PD69-09 SCROTOX: SALVAGE PERI-SPERMATIC CORD BOTULINUM-A TOXIN INJECTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH REFRACTORY CHRONIC SCROTAL CONTENT PAIN AFTER MICROSURGICAL DENERVATION OF THE SPERMATIC CORD. Nahomy Calixte, Bayo Tojuola, Ibrahim Kartal, Ahmet Gudeloglu, Jamin Brahmbhatt, and Sijo Parekattil Nahomy CalixteNahomy Calixte More articles by this author , Bayo TojuolaBayo Tojuola More articles by this author , Ibrahim KartalIbrahim Kartal More articles by this author , Ahmet GudelogluAhmet Gudeloglu More articles by this author , Jamin BrahmbhattJamin Brahmbhatt More articles by this author , and Sijo ParekattilSijo Parekattil More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.3150AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Chronic scrotal content pain is a difficult condition to treat. Microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord (MDSC) is one surgical treatment option with success rates published in the 60-85% range. However, patients who fail MDSC have limited options. Botulinum-A toxin (Botox) has been shown to modulate the release of neuropeptides leading to inhibition of neurogenic inflammation and chronic pain. This provides an antinociceptive effect. Our goal was to assess the use of peri-spermatic cord Botox injections (Scrotox) to provide prolonged pain relief in men with refractory chronic scrotal content pain after MDSC. METHODS Retrospective review of 44 patients who underwent Scrotox (60 procedures: 30 bilateral, 15 right side, 15 left side) from July 2013 to July 2016. All patients had failed prior MDSC. 100 units of Botox diluted in 10cc of saline was injected medial and lateral to the spermatic cord at the level of the external inguinal ring to ablate branches of the genitofemoral, ilioinguinal and inferior hypogastric nerves. The primary outcome measure was the level of pain. Pain was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using two assessment tools: a) the subjective visual analog scale (VAS) and b) an objective standardized externally validated pain assessment tool (PIQ-6, QualityMetric Inc., Lincoln, RI). RESULTS Median age was 45 years. Median duration of pain prior to the procedure was 9 years. Median follow up post procedure was 7 months. Subjective VAS patient pain outcomes: 62.5% significant reduction in pain (7.5% complete resolution, 55% reported a greater than 50% reduction in pain) by 3 months post-op. Objective PIQ-6 outcomes: significant reduction in pain in 27% of patients at 6 months and 40% at 1 year post-op. There were no complications in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS Scrotox is a potentially safe and viable treatment option for the salvage management of persistent chronic scrotal content pain in patients who have failed MDSC. Further studies are warranted to better understand the long-term durability of this treatment modality. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e1347-e1348 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Nahomy Calixte More articles by this author Bayo Tojuola More articles by this author Ibrahim Kartal More articles by this author Ahmet Gudeloglu More articles by this author Jamin Brahmbhatt More articles by this author Sijo Parekattil More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

American football and other sports injuries may cause migraine/persistent pain decades later and can be treated successfully with electrical twitch-obtaining intramuscular stimulation (ETOIMS)

IntroductionAutonomous twitch elicitation at myofascial trigger points from spondylotic radiculopathies-induced denervation supersensitivity can provide favourable pain relief using electrical twitch-obtaining intramuscular stimulation (ETOIMS).AimTo provide objective evidence that ETOIMS is safe...

Guidance on opioids prescribing for the management of persistent non-cancer pain in older adults.

Many older adults suffer from persistent pain but prevalence studies consistently showed high levels of untreated or under-treated pain in old population. Both persistent pain and pain under-treatment adversely affect independence and quality of life in geriatric patients. Pain management is challenging in this age-group because of the declining organ function, the presence of concurrent diseases and polypharmacy. For all the above reasons, persistent pain in the elderly should be considered a geriatric syndrome per se and effective approaches are warranted. Current guidelines and consensus statements recommend opioid therapy for older adults with moderate-to-severe persistent pain or functional impairment and diminished quality of life due to pain. However clinicians and patients themselves have some concerns about opioids use. Age-related decline in organs functions and warnings about risk of addiction and drug misuse/abuse also in geriatric patients need particular attention for safe prescribing. On the basis of clinical evidence, these practical recommendations will help to improve the competence on opioid role in persistent pain management and the likelihood of a successful analgesic trial in older patients.

CNE Quiz: Pharmacological Approaches for the Management of Persistent Pain in Older Adults: What Nurses Need to Know

CNE Quiz: Pharmacological Approaches for the Management of Persistent Pain in Older Adults: What Nurses Need to Know

Pharmacological Approaches for the Management of Persistent Pain in Older Adults: What Nurses Need to Know.

HOW TO OBTAIN CONTACT HOURS BY READING THIS ARTICLE INSTRUCTIONS 1.4 contact hours will be awarded by Villanova University College of Nursing upon successful completion of this activity. A contact hour is a unit of measurement that denotes 60 minutes of an organized learning activity. This is a learner-based activity. Villanova University College of Nursing does not require submission of your answers to the quiz. A contact hour certificate will be awarded once you register, pay the registration fee, and complete the evaluation form online at http://goo.gl/gMfXaf. To obtain contact hours you must: 1. Read the article, "Pharmacological Approaches for the Management of Persistent Pain in Older Adults: What Nurses Need to Know" found on pages 49-57, carefully noting any tables and other illustrative materials that are included to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the content. Be sure to keep track of the amount of time (number of minutes) you spend reading the article and completing the quiz. 2. Read and answer each question on the quiz. After completing all of the questions, compare your answers to those provided within this issue. If you have incorrect answers, return to the article for further study. 3. Go to the Villanova website listed above to register for contact hour credit. You will be asked to provide your name; contact information; and a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card number for payment of the $20.00 fee. Once you complete the online evaluation, a certificate will be automatically generated. This activity is valid for continuing education credit until November 30, 2019. CONTACT HOURS This activity is co-provided by Villanova University College of Nursing and SLACK Incorporated. Villanova University College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES 1. Describe age-related barriers to pain assessment and key aspects of the assessment process. 2. Identify benefits and risks associated with commonly prescribed analgesic medications for the treatment of later life pain. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Neither the planners nor the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. The current article addresses pharmacological treatment issues regarding the management of persistent pain in later life, which is a worldwide problem associated with substantial disability. Recommendations from guidelines were reviewed and data are presented regarding the benefits and risks of commonly prescribed analgesic medications. The evidence base supports a stepwise approach with acetaminophen as first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate pain. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not recommended for long-term use. In properly selected older patients, opioid drugs should be considered if pain is not adequately controlled. Careful surveillance to monitor for benefits and harms of therapy is critical, given that advancing age increases risk for adverse effects. Key aspects of the pain care process that nurses routinely engage in are covered, including conducting pain assessments prior to initiating therapy, addressing barriers to effective pain care, educating patients and family members about the importance of reducing pain, discussing treatment-related risks and benefits, and formulating strategies to monitor for treatment outcomes. Finally, a case is presented to illustrate issues that arise in the care of affected patients. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(12), 49-57.].

Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Persistent Pain Management in Older Adults: A Review

Management of persistent pain in older adults is challenging given the prevalence of multiple comorbid painful conditions, polypharmacy, age-related changes restricting pharmacological options, and socioeconomic factors. The influences of these factors along with current concern for the use of opioid analgesics highlight the importance of incorporating complementary and integrative medicine approaches. Evidence suggests efficacy and satisfaction with integrating complementary pain management strategies for older adults, especially yoga, massage, and natural products. Nurses and other providers, given their emphasis on holistic care, are in a unique position to lead the transformation of pain management to a patient-centered, self-management style that integrates complementary therapies. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(12), 40-48.].

Opioid Misuse/Abuse and Quality Persistent Pain Management in Older Adults.

The United States is amid an epidemic of prescription opioid drug abuse, bringing with it not only high rates of overdose, but growing rates of heroin abuse and addiction. Liberal opioid drug prescribing on the part of well-meaning clinicians has in part fueled this epidemic, being correlated to opioid death and addiction treatment admission rates. Misuse and abuse of prescription opioid drugs is greatest among young adults (ages 18 to 25); however, the fastest growing age group for opioid drug misuse/abuse is older (ages 50 to 64). Prescription opioid drug use issues may emerge in the context of persistent pain, and risk factors for misuse/abuse and overdose in older patients with pain require further description. In keeping with national initiatives to combat prescription opioid drug abuse and overdose, current clinical guidelines reflect an "opioid-sparing" approach. To the degree that these guidelines improve persistent pain and opioid drug misuse/abuse outcomes, significant public health benefits will be accrued. Efforts to reduce both require action and are national priorities. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(12), 21-30.].

Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 (PASS-20) in Healthy Volunteers and Patients Attending a Physiotherapy Clinic

PurposeThe aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the PASS-20 questionnaire for use in Libya.MethodsParticipants were 71 patients (42 women) attending the physiotherapy clinic, Ibn Sina Hospital, Sirt, Libya for management of persistent pain and 137 healthy unpaid undergraduate students (52 women) from the University of Sirt, Libya. The English PASS-20 was translated into Arabic. Patients completed the Arabic PASS-20 and the Arabic Pain Rating Scales on two occasions separated by a 14-day interval. Healthy participants completed the Arabic PASS-20 on one occasion.ResultsThe internal consistency (ICC) for pain patient and healthy participant samples yielded a good reliability for the total score, cognitive anxiety, fear of pain, and physiological anxiety. The test-retest reliability of the Arabic PASS-20 score showed high reliability for the total score (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), escape/avoidance (ICC = 0.93, p < 0.001), fear of pain (ICC = 0.94, p < 0.001), and physiological anxiety subscales (ICC = 0.96, p < 0.001) and good reliability for the cognitive anxiety (ICC = 0.85, p < 0.001). Inspection of the Promax rotation showed that each factor comprised of five items were consistent with the theoretical constructs of the original PASS-20 subscales.ConclusionThe Arabic PASS-20 retained internal consistency and reliability with the original English version and can be used to measure pain anxiety symptoms in both pain and healthy individual samples in Libya.

Influence of Studies Published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: Top 20 Articles from 2000-2015.

Influence of Studies Published by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: Top 20 Articles from 2000-2015.

Pain 2: State of the art: management of persistent pain

Pain 2: State of the art: management of persistent pain

An overview of treatment approaches for chronic pain management.

Pain which persists after healing is expected to have taken place, or which exists in the absence of tissue damage, is termed chronic pain. By definition chronic pain cannot be treated and cured in the conventional biomedical sense; rather, the patient who is suffering from the pain must be given the tools with which their long-term pain can be managed to an acceptable level. This article will provide an overview of treatment approaches available for the management of persistent non-malignant pain. As well as attempting to provide relief from the physical aspects of pain through the judicious use of analgesics, interventions, stimulations, and irritations, it is important to pay equal attention to the psychosocial complaints which almost always accompany long-term pain. The pain clinic offers a biopsychosocial approach to treatment with the multidisciplinary pain management programme; encouraging patients to take control of their pain problem and lead a fulfilling life in spite of the pain.

Prediction of Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: the Development of a Clinical Decision Guideline for Spine Surgeons

Introduction Low back pain (LBP) is responsible for the greatest burden of all diseases.1 Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is among the most common reasons why patients visit a spine surgeon. As the CLBP population is heterogeneous, it remains a challenge to address etiology and to suggest treatment options. Evidence2–4 recommends developing a decision tool to triage toward either surgical or nonsurgical interventions. The Nijmegen decision tool, consisting of a web-based questionnaire, a systematic follow up of outcomes built in the patient-based system of the SweSpine Registry,5 is developed to support patient-triage and is based on evidence and professional (Delphi) consensus. Since April2012 all new patients complete the questionnaire, consisting of 47 indicators potentially predicting successful treatment outcome or persistence of pain complaints, and are systematically followed over time.5 In this study pre-intervention patient profiles have been determined and a decision algorithm has been developed, based on indicators predicting successful one-year follow-up outcome of spine surgery and of a non-surgical, multidisciplinary Combined Physical and Psychological (CPP) program. Material and Methods A consecutive cohort study was performed. Diagnostics and decision-making were performed ‘as usual’. Data of patients were included who completed the one-year follow-up assessment: 219 had surgery and 171 followed a multidisciplinary CPP-program. The outcome was functional status (Oswestry Disability Index v2.1a [ODI]) and being successful was defined as one-year improvement to an absolute (‘normal’/healthy) ODI-threshold (value≤22). The 47 potential predictive indicators included indicators in the sociodemographic, pain-related, somatic, psychological, functional and quality of life domains.5 After data-cleaning and having fulfilled all assumptions for analyses, for each cohort a separate multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results Probability of successful surgical outcome: the prediction model (R2=31%) included pre-treatment previous surgery(OR 0.390 [95%CI 0.201–0.757]), expectations of recovery (OR 2.830 [95%CI 1.391–5.756]), expectation of work return (OR 0.824 [95%CI 0.706–0.960]), pre-treatment functioning (OR 0.961 [95%CI 0.939–0.984]), and ‘red flag’ for age (pain started age &lt; 20 or &gt; 50 years; OR 2.321 [95%CI 1.214–4.435]). Probability of successful CPP-program outcome: the prediction model (R2=26%) included pre-treatment functioning (OR 0.963 [95%CI 0.937–0.990]), catastrophizing (OR 0.199 [95%CI 0.065–0.610]), and depressed mood (OR 0.205 [95%CI 0.063–0.665]). Interpretation Odds Ratio (OR): OR &gt; 1=increased probability to success; OR &lt; 1=reduced probability to success) Conclusion This is the first clinical decision tool available, created with a rigorous scientific basis that is designed for patient-triage. Different patient profiles predicting either a successful outcome for spine surgery or for CPP program are determined. The presented profiles are based on first analyses, after final analyses the two prediction models will be converted to probability formulae and built in the online tool. For every new patient the probabilities for treatment success will be available in the electronic patient file. The next step is to validate the tool in different hospitals. We expect that this relatively simple tool, based on validated questionnaires and current evidence, will considerably help in daily spine practice to guide the right patients to the right practitioners and to enhance personalized care. We will present the final prediction models at the Global Spine Congress. References Vos T; Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet 2015;386(9995):743–800 Chou R, Loeser JD, Owens DK, et al; American Pain Society Low Back Pain Guideline Panel. Interventional therapies, surgery, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American Pain Society. Spine 2009;34(10):1066–1077 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Low Back Pain: Early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care. London, UK: NICE Clinical Guideline; 2009:88 Fairbank J, Gwilym SE, France JC, et al. The role of classification of chronic low back pain. Spine 2011;36(21, Suppl):S19–S42 Van Hooff ML, Van Loon J, Van Limbeek J, De Kleuver M. The Nijmegen Decision Tool for CLBP. Development of a clinical decision tool to select patients for secondary care. PLoS ONE 2014;9(8):104226

Long-term follow-up Results of a Combined Physical and Psychological Program for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Introduction For patients with persistent and disabling chronic low back pain (CLBP) who failed to improve after less intensive interventions, a combined physical and psychological (CPP) program including exercises and a cognitive behavioral approach, is recommended.1–3 These patients with CLBP participating in a two-week CPP-program improve in functional status and quality of life during the program and these positive results are maintained at one4 and at two-year follow-up assessment.5 Purpose To evaluate the long-term results of a short, intensive, evidence based CPP-program. Material and Methods A consecutive cohort study with a mean follow up of 6.5 years (range: 5.5–7.5) was performed. At follow up a response rate of 85% ( n = 277) was achieved. Primary outcome was functional status (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI;0–100]). Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, quality of life, and patient reported satisfaction. A Repeated Measures analysis of variance was used to identify changes over time. The two-week residential program is in line with recommendations in international guidelines1–3 and provided in collaboration with orthopedic spine surgeons at Sint Maartenskliniek Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Results At pre-treatment assessment the mean age was 46.1years (SD9.3) and the mean CLBP-duration 12.3 years (SD10.9). The mean ODI-score showed improvement at post-treatment and maintenance of results over time (ODI df[1,276],F = 0.146, p = 0.703). Secondary outcomes showed the same pattern. At long-term follow up more than half of the CLBP-patients (59.2%) showed a clinically relevant improvement of ≥10 points on the ODI and 45.3% of the patients reached a functional status equivalent to an acceptable, normal healthy population value (ODI ≤ 22). This is comparable to the one-year follow-up assessment. 80.1% of the participants are satisfied with the treatment results and 76.2% would recommend the program to family/friends. Conclusion The positive short-term effectiveness at one-year follow up of a two-week CPP-program is demonstrated to maintain over time. Patients demonstrate continued improvement of functional status and quality of life after 6.5 years of follow up. Moreover, at long-term follow up a high percentage of patients were satisfied with the results of the program and they would recommend the program to family and/or friends. References National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinical Guideline 88. Low back pain: Early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. May 2009 Chou R, Loeser JD, Owens DK, et al; American Pain Society Low Back Pain Guideline Panel. Interventional therapies, surgery, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American Pain Society. Spine 2009;34(10):1066–1077 Airaksinen O, Brox JI, Cedraschi C, et al; COST B13 Working Group on Guidelines for Chronic Low Back Pain. Chapter 4. European guidelines for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Eur Spine J 2006;15(Suppl 2):S192–S300 van Hooff ML, van der Merwe JD, O'Dowd J, et al. Daily functioning and self-management in patients with chronic low back pain after an intensive cognitive behavioral programme for pain management. Eur Spine J 2010;19(9):1517–1526 van Hooff ML, Ter Avest W, Horsting PP, et al. A short, intensive cognitive behavioral pain management program reduces health-care use in patients with chronic low back pain: two-year follow-up results of a prospective cohort. Eur Spine J 2012;21(7):1257–1264

Management of persistent pain in older people

AbstractPersistent pain is a commonly experienced symptom. It affects 25% of community‐dwelling older adults and up to 80% of nursing home residents, and can have a major impact on quality of life and functional capacity. Unfortunately pain in older patients is often undertreated and misunderstood. Assessment of pain type and severity is important. Most older people, even with moderately impaired cognition, are able to self‐report pain. Validated assessment tools using non‐verbal pain cues are available for people with more advanced cognitive impairment. Management of pain in older people can be challenging. Physiological changes may impact on pain perception and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of medications. Older people are often more sensitive to the adverse effects of analgesic medications and are at risk of drug–drug interactions due to the presence of co‐morbidities and polypharmacy. In general, analgesic medications should be commenced at low doses, titrated based on effect and tolerability, and regularly reviewed. Contemporary pain management often utilises multiple analgesics in lower doses to optimise efficacy and avoid dose‐related toxicity. A bio‐psycho‐social approach to the management of persistent pain, utilising a multidisciplinary team and including non‐drug strategies, may produce the best results. The goal of pain management is not always to eliminate pain, since this may not be attainable, but rather to enhance function and improve quality of life. This article discusses persistent non‐cancer pain in older people, its assessment and management, and the risks and benefits of pharmacological treatment in this population.

The Effectiveness of Multimodal Care for Soft Tissue Injuries of the Lower Extremity: A Systematic Review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration

ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of multimodal care for the management of soft tissue injuries of the lower extremity. MethodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1990 to 2015. Random pairs of independent reviewers screened studies for relevance and critically appraised eligible studies using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. We included studies with a low risk of bias in our best evidence synthesis. ResultsWe screened 6794 articles. Six studies had a low risk of bias and addressed the following: plantar heel pain (n = 2), adductor-related groin pain (n = 1), and patellofemoral pain (n = 3). The evidence suggests that multimodal care for the management of persistent plantar heel pain may include mobilization and stretching exercise. An intensive, clinic-based, group exercise program (strengthening, stretching, balance, agility) is more effective than multimodal care for the management of adductor-related groin pain in male athletes. There is inconclusive evidence to support the use of multimodal care for the management of persistent patellofemoral pain. Our search did not identify any low risk of bias studies examining multimodal care for the management of other soft tissue injuries of the lower extremity. ConclusionA multimodal program of care for the management of persistent plantar heel pain may include mobilization and stretching exercise. Multimodal care for adductor-related groin pain is not recommended based on the current evidence. There is inconclusive evidence to support the use of multimodal care for the management of persistent patellofemoral pain.

Risk for Opioid Misuse Among Emergency Department Cancer Patients

One of the most challenging areas of emergency medicine practice is the management and treatment of severe and persistent pain, including cancer-related pain. Emergency departments (EDs) in the United States frequently provide care for patients with cancer and an increasing concern is the potential for opioid misuse in this patient group. The authors determined the risk for opioid misuse among ED cancer patients with pain and assessed demographic and clinical factors associated with increased misuse risk. The Texas state prescription monitoring program was also queried for evidence of multiple opioid prescriptions for comparing low- and high-risk groups. The Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R) was administered to assess risk for opioid misuse among cancer patients presenting to the ED of a comprehensive cancer center in the United States. Eligibility criteria included: 1) presentation for treatment of chronic cancer-related pain while taking a prescribed schedule II opioid for analgesia, 2) age of 18 years or older, 3) ability to speak English, and 4) ability to understand the study and give written informed consent. Of 934 ED patients screened for the study, 290 were eligible and 209 participated (72% response rate). On the basis of the recommended SOAPP-R cutoff score of 18, a total of 71 of the 209 patients (34%) were categorized as having a high risk of misuse. Of note, 15% and 4% of all patients reported past or current use of illicit substances, respectively. The total number of annual opioid prescriptions (17.8 vs. 12.6; p = 0.023) differed between the high- versus low-risk groups. Multivariable analyses showed that depression (odds ratio [OR] = 3.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 6.48; p = 0.003), poor coping (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.13; p = 0.001), and illicit substance use (OR = 28.30, 95% CI = 2.97 to 269.24; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with high risk of opioid misuse. The risk of opioid misuse among cancer patients is substantial. Screening for opioid misuse in the ED is feasible.

Physical Therapists' Views and Experiences of Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain and the Role of Acupuncture: Qualitative Exploration.

Low back pain is often accepted as a "normal" part of pregnancy. Despite research suggesting that quality of life for women who are pregnant is adversely affected, most are advised to self-manage. Although the use of acupuncture for the management of persistent nonspecific low back pain has been recommended in recent UK national guidelines, its use in the management of pregnancy-related low back pain remains limited. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of physical therapists involved in treating women who are pregnant and have low back pain with the objective of informing the pretrial training program for a pilot randomized trial (Evaluating Acupuncture and Standard care for pregnant womEn with Back pain [EASE Back]). A qualitative phenomenological method with purposive sampling was used in the study. Three focus groups and 3 individual semistructured interviews were undertaken, and an iterative exploratory thematic analysis was performed. To ensure transparency of the research process and the decisions made, an audit trail was created. Twenty-one physical therapists participated, and emergent issues included: a lack of experience in treating pregnancy-related complaints, mixed messages from previous acupuncture education, a mistrust of the current evidence for acupuncture safety and effectiveness, and personal and professional fear of causing harm. The findings suggest that UK physical therapists are reluctant to use acupuncture in the management of pregnancy-related low back pain. The explanations for these findings include perceived lack of knowledge and confidence, as well as a pervasive professional culture of caution, particularly fears of inducing early labor and of litigation. These findings have been key to informing the content of the training program for physical therapists delivering acupuncture within the pilot EASE Back trial.