Present Pain Index Research Articles

Risk factors associated with chronic pain after mastectomy: a prospective study with a 5-year follow-up in Japan.

Chronic pain is a major complication following breast surgery including breast reconstruction. We previously examined prospective patient-specific and medical/surgical factors that predict chronic pain a year after breast surgery in the Japanese population. Five-year survivorship is essential for breast cancer patients. This report is a 4-year follow-up study following the previous research. A follow-up observation study was performed 5years after breast operations. The subjects were patients who underwent breast surgery, including tissue expander/implant (TE/implant), DIEP procedures and mastectomy only. Pain at 5years was assessed using the Japanese Version of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-JV). A multiple linear regression model was used to examine the relationships of clinical factors with chronic pain. Questionnaires were completed by 132 subjects. No factor related to chronic pain was significantly related to the MPQ pain ratings. Among patient characteristics, a psychotic or neurological medical history was related to significantly lower visual analog scale (p = 0.02) and present pain index (p = 0.04) scores. A history of chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy was significantly associated with the frequency of use of pain medication postoperatively (p = 0.05) and effect on the social life of the patients (p = 0.02). A psychotic or neurological history and a history of chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy were identified as risk factors for chronic pain after breast surgery, but the type of operation was not associated with chronic pain.

Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory for patients with chronic pain

Background/aims The Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory has been used widely to evaluate pain perceptions and beliefs of patients with chronic pain. This is a cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument into Greek. The purpose of the study was to investigate: the face and content validity; the factor structure; the concurrent validity; the discriminant validity; and the internal consistency and the test–retest reliability of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory for people with chronic pain. Methods A total of 174 patients with chronic low back pain, neck pain and/or pain of limbs lasting for at least 6 months and with a physiotherapy referral participated in the study. Exploratory factor analysis by a principal axis factoring with direct oblimin rotation was chosen to examine the factor structure of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory. The concurrent validity was assessed using correlations by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient among the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory and the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Present Pain Index, the visual analogue scale and the Brief Pain Inventory. The discriminant validity was examined by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient among the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory and Social Desirability Scale. The reliability of the instrument was examined using Cronbach's α internal consistency coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results Exploratory factor analysis confirmed the four factor structure of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory that explained 66.353% of the total variance. Concurrent validity was determined through examination of correlations between the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory and other validated constructs (eg Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire Affective factor with Total Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory Spearman's rho=0.257, P<0.001, Brief Pain Inventory General Activity and Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory Constancy factor Spearman's rho=0.522, P<0.05, Brief Pain Inventory relations with other people and Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory Constancy factor Spearman's rho=0.512, P<0.05). The discriminant validity of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory was confirmed by examining correlations between the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory with the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale. The questionnaire was internally consistent (α=0.89–0.96) and its stability was good (intraclass correlation coefficients=0.73–0.82). Conclusions The Greek translation of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate Greek patients with chronic pain.

Deficits in ascending and descending pain modulation pathways in patients with postherpetic neuralgia

Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN), develops after the resolution of the herpes zoster mucocutaneous eruption, is a debilitating chronic pain. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms associated with ascending and descending pain modulations in PHN patients. Here, we combined psychophysics with structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the brain alternations in PHN patients. Psychophysical tests showed that compared with healthy controls, PHN patients had increased state and trait anxiety and depression. Structural MRI data indicated that PHN patients had significantly smaller gray matter volumes of the thalamus and amygdala than healthy controls, and the thalamus volume was negatively correlated with pain intensity (assessed using the Short-form of the McGill pain questionnaire) in PHN patients. When the thalamus and periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) were used as the seeds, resting-state functional MRI data revealed abnormal patterns of functional connectivity within ascending and descending pain pathways in PHN patients, e.g., increased functional connectivity between the thalamus and somatosensory cortices and decreased functional connectivity between the PAG and frontal cortices. In addition, subjective ratings of both Present Pain Index (PPI) and Beck-Depression Inventory (BDI) were negatively correlated with the strength of functional connectivity between the PAG and primary somatosensory cortex (SI), and importantly, the effect of BDI on PPI was mediated by the PAG-SI functional connectivity. Overall, our results provided evidence suggesting deficits in ascending and descending pain modulation pathways, which were highly associated with the intensity of chronic pain and its emotional comorbidities in PHN patients. Therefore, our study deepened our understanding of the pathogenesis of PHN, which would be helpful in determining the optimized treatment for the patients.

Factors associated with chronic pain following breast reconstruction in Japanese women

Chronic pain after breast surgery including breast reconstruction is a major concern for patients. However, the factors associated with chronic pain after breast surgery are uncertain in Japanese population. The aim of this study was to identify patient-specific and medical/surgical factors that predict chronic pain after breast surgery in Japanese patients. The subjects were 189 Japanese women undergoing breast surgery including tissue expander/implant (TE/implant), deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) procedures and mastectomy only. Pain was assessed at one year postoperatively using a validated survey instrument: the Japanese version of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-JV). A multiple linear regression model was used to examine the relationships of clinical factors with postoperative pain. Surveys were completed by 141 subjects. A younger age (p = .04) and bilateral procedures (p < .05) were both closely associated with the extent of increased postoperative pain at 1 year using the MPQ-Total pain rating. Compared to total mastectomy only, TE/implant procedures showed a significantly lower visual analog scale (VAS) (p = .04) and present pain index (PPI) (p = .03) scores. No factor related to chronic pain was also significantly related to the frequency of pain medication use postoperatively or the effect of social life of the patients. This study identified patients at risk for greater chronic pain after breast surgery. These findings will allow surgeons to improve patient comfort, reduce clinical morbidity and enhance patient satisfaction with their surgical outcome. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; CI: confidence interval; DIEP: deep inferior epigastric perforator flap; MPQ: McGill pain questionnaire; PPI: present pain index; SD: standard deviation; SF-MPQ-JV: Japanese version of the short-form McGill pain questionnaire; TE: tissue expander; VAS: visual analog scale

Randomized Trial of 3 Techniques of Perineal Skin Closure During Second-Degree Perineal Laceration Repair.

Perineal lacerations during childbirth are common, and suturing the perineal skin during repair has been associated with increased postpartum pain. This study sought to test the hypothesis that no difference in postpartum perineal pain exists between 3 methods of skin closure for second-degree repair: suture, no suture, and surgical glue. A single-blind randomized controlled trial of women after vaginal birth who had a second-degree perineal laceration was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 2014 to April 2017. Women were randomized to perineal skin closure with suture, no suture, or surgical glue using a 1:1:1 allocation. Pain was assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), and Present Pain Index (PPI) at one day, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months postpartum. Wound healing was assessed at 6 weeks using the Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Drainage, Approximation (REEDA) scale. Pain scores were compared across groups using a chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, or analysis of variance where appropriate. A total of 35 women were randomized: 14 received suture, 11 had no suture, and 10 received surgical glue for perineal skin repair. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. At 2 weeks postpartum, women with suture had higher median pain scores on the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (15.0 suture vs 2.0 glue vs 2.0 no suture, P = .03) and VAS (50.0 suture vs 3.0 glue vs 7.0 no suture, P = .02). Significant differences in pain were not seen on the PPI. At 3 months, women in the suture group had higher median pain scores on the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire compared with surgical glue (1.0 vs 0, P = .04). Wound healing was similar across groups (REEDA score: 0 suture vs 1.0 no suture, vs 0 surgical glue, P = .24). Compared with no suture and surgical glue, suturing the perineal skin was associated with the highest postpartum pain scores.

You get used to it, or do you: symptom length predicts less fibromyalgia physical impairment, but only for those with above-average self-efficacy

ABSTRACTTo determine whether the effects of symptom duration on fibromyalgia physical impairment are moderated by symptom self-efficacy, data from 572 female participants, who were members of a large health maintenance organization and had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were assessed. Age, symptom duration, history of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, fibromyalgia-specific self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale adapted for FMS [ASES]), depression (Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]), fibromyalgia physical impairment (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ]), and pain (McGill Present Pain Index [PPI]) were measured five times across 18 months. Linear regressions were performed to predict baseline FIQ and PPI cross-sectionally. Of primary interest was a hypothesized interaction between ASES and symptom duration, which was significant in relation to FIQ but not PPI. Multilevel mixed models were performed to determine whether the same pattern existed longitudinally controlling for baseline symptom duration as an effect of time and ASES. The interaction was significant in the models for both FIQ and PPI. These results suggest that the effects of age and symptom duration on FMS are unique, and that self-efficacy plays a crucial role in moderating disease course (measured by symptom duration or time) in FMS.

Randomized Trial Comparing Three Methods of Perineal Skin Closure at the Time of Second Degree Repair [12E

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in patient pain among three different methods of perineal skin closure during second-degree repair: 1) suture, 2) no suture, and 3) surgical glue. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial of women post vaginal birth with a second-degree perineal laceration was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital August 2014-April 2017.Following repair of the deep tissues per standard fashion, women were randomized to perineal skin closure with suture, no suture or surgical glue using a 1:1:1 allocation. Pain was assessed using the McGill, 100-mm VAS and Present Pain Index at 1 day, 2 weeks and 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: 35 women were randomized: 14 received suture, 11 no suture and 10 had surgical glue. Demographics were similar between groups. At 2 weeks, women with suture had higher pain scores than those with surgical glue or no suture (McGill: suture vs glue vs no suture, 16.2 ± 9.9 vs 6.4 ± 8.4 vs 4.7 ± 5.8, ANOVA p = .021; VAS: 50.6 ± 31.7 vs 17.7 ± 25.7 vs 10.9 ± 12.2, ANOVA p=.009). At 6 weeks, pain scores remained higher with suture versus glue (McGill, p = .045) and no suture (VAS, p = .047). No difference in pain was seen between women with glue vs no suture. CONCLUSION: Compared to no suture and surgical glue, suturing the perineal skin was associated with the highest pain scores 6 postpartum weeks. Pain with surgical glue and no suture was similar.

The Associated Factors and Clinical Features of Neuropathic Pain After Brachial Plexus Injuries: A Cross-sectional Study.

Neuropathic pain in patients with brachial plexus injuries brings complicated obstacles to the treatment and recovery for both surgeons and patients. The clinical features of neuropathic pain, including pain intensity, type and time phase, need to be investigated. Moreover, possible associated factors need to be explored. A cross-sectional study containing 77 participants was conducted. Their baseline information and injury-related conditions were collected. The Present Pain Index evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale, self-reports using the specific pain questionnaires were used for screening and estimating the patients' pain. T test, χ test, Logistic Regression, and correlation coefficient were used when conducting the statistical analyses. The occurrence rate of neuropathic pain in our study was 54.5%. Paresthesia/dysesthesia had the highest average score in our population. Among potential associated factors, smoking (P=0.001), regular alcohol drinking (P=0.001), total brachial plexus injuries (P=0.01), and avulsions (P=0.019) were related to the development of neuropathic pain. Patients with neuropathic pain experienced significantly poorer function of the upper limbs measured by the Disabilities of Arm, Hand and Shoulder questionnaire (P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the function of the upper limbs and pain intensity (r=0.60, P<0.001). Though the pain type and time phase manifested differently across patients, paresthesia/dysesthesia occurred most commonly. Patients were more likely to develop neuropathic pain if they had total brachial plexus injuries, avulsion and bad life habits. Moreover, the function of the upper limbs was affected by pain.

A clinical study of electro-acupuncture combined with Leitoufeng granules for primary trigeminal neuralgia

Objective To detect the therapeutic effectiveness of electro-acupuncture combined with Leitoufenggranules for primary trigeminal neuralgia. Methods A total of 60 patients with PTN were randomly divided into the control group and the treatment group (30 in each group). Control group received Carbamazepine, and the treatment group received the electro-acupuncture combined with Leitoufeng granules. Both groups were treated for 15 days as a period of treatment with 3 treatments in total. The outcomes were S hort form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), painratingindex (PRI), the number of word feature (NWC), the present painindex (PPI), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) the clinical effect rate and recurrence rate. Results After treatment, compared with the control group, the effect rate (96.67% vs. 70.00%, χ2=5.880,) in the treatment group showed significantly higher (P=0.015). Compared with the control group, PRI (0.20±0.47 vs. 3.33±4.65, t=3.592), NWC (0.20±0.48 vs. 1.40±1.87, t=3.345), VAS (0.20±0.48 vs. 1.27±1.66, t=3.321), PPI (0.17±0.38 vs.0.90±0.99, t=3.771) and the total score (0.79±1.83 vs. 6.90±9.05, t=3.602) in the treatment group were significantly lower (P<0.01). In the follow-up of 3 months, compared with control group, the recurrence rate (10.0% vs.56.6%, χ2=12.675) in the treatment group significantly lower (P<0.01). Conclusion As to the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia, the effect of acupuncture combined withLeitoufeng granules was superior to the Carbamazepine. Key words: Primary trigeminal neuralgia; Electro-acupuncture; Leitoufeng granules; Pain measurement

The clinical characteristics of neuropathic pain in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion: A 30-case study

Neuropathic pain in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion has always been a sophisticated problem in clinical practice. ObjectivesFor further researches on objective diagnosis, alleviation or even cure of neuropathic pain, we need to conclude the basic clinical features including pain intensity, distribution, type and possible risk factors. MethodsThirty cases of patients with total brachial plexus avulsion were included and their baseline information was collected. Pain was evaluated by Present Pain Index using a visual analog scale; Douleur Neuropathique 4 was used for screening neuropathic pain. For more detailed pain description, the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory questionnaire and a picture showing the exact pain district were both fulfilled by all the eligible participants. The relationship between neuropathic pain and basic information, injury conditions, accompanied conditions and quality of life was tested. ResultsAll the participants were male in both groups. The neuropathic pain group contained 22 patients (73.33%) with the mean age of 30.18±9.47; while 29.00±7.95 in the other group. Patients with neuropathic pain presented variously in pain degree, location, type and time phase, according to the results of the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory questionnaire. Nevertheless, most pain distributed on the region of hand. Among several related factors, alcohol abuse may be possible risk factors of neuropathic pain (p=0.03). Quality of life was significantly affected by pain (p<0.01). ConclusionNeuropathic pain in patients with total brachial avulsion was characterized with heterogeneity in pain distribution, intensity, type and also time phase. Bad life habits might be risk factors associated with neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain might affect quality of life of the patients with total brachial plexus avulsion remarkably.

Differences in pain perception, health-related quality of life, disability, mood, and sleep between Brazilian and Spanish people with chronic non-specific low back pain.

ABSTRACTBackgroundCultural and social factors play an important role in the development and persistence of Low Back Pain (LBP). Nevertheless, there are few studies investigating differences in LBP features between countries.ObjectiveTo determine differences in pain perception between individuals with LBP living in Brazil and Spain.MethodThirty Spanish individuals and 30 age- and sex-comparable Brazilian individuals with LBP were recruited from the Public Health Services of both countries. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the pain rating index (PRI), the number of words chosen (NWC), and the present pain index (PPI) extracted from the McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to assess pain. The Oswestry Disability Index, the Short Form-36, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were also applied. Differences between countries and the correlation between demographic and clinical variables in each country were assessed with parametric and the nonparametric tests.ResultsA significant Country by Gender interaction was found for the PRI total score (P=0.038), but not for intensity of pain, disability, PPI, or NWC, in which Spanish women exhibited greater pain ratio than Spanish men (P=0.014), and no gender differences were identified in Brazilians. The Spanish group showed a consistent pattern of correlations for clinical data. Within Brazilian patients, fewer correlations were found and all of the coefficients were lower than those in the Spanish group.ConclusionThe pain perception in patients with LBP is different depending on the country. Within Spanish patients, LBP is considered a more global entity affecting multidimensional contexts.

Relationship between depressive symptoms and acute low back pain at first medical consultation, three and six weeks of primary care

Background: Aim of the study was to test lagged reciprocal effects of depressive symptoms and acute low back pain (LBP) across the first weeks of primary care. Methods: In a prospective inception cohort study, 221 primary care patients with acute or subacute LBP were assessed at the time of initial consultation and then followed up at three and six weeks. Key measures were depressive symptoms (modified Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale) and LBP (sensory pain, present pain index and visual analogue scale of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire). Results: When only cross-lagged effects of six weeks were tested, a reciprocal positive relationship between LBP and depressive symptoms was shown in a cross-lagged structural equation model (β = .15 and .17, p < .01). When lagged reciprocal paths at three- and six-week follow-up were tested, depressive symptoms at the time of consultation predicted higher LBP severity after three weeks (β = .23, p < .01). LBP after three weeks had in turn a positive cross-lagged effect on depression after six weeks (β = .27, p < .001). Conclusions: Reciprocal effects of depressive symptoms and LBP seem to depend on time under medical treatment. Health practitioners should screen for and treat depressive symptoms at the first consultation to improve the LBP treatment.

Validation of a modified McGill Pain Questionnaire for orthodontic patients

To assess better and more efficiently the aspects of pain experienced by adolescent orthodontic patients, the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (MPQ-SF) was modified (MMPQ-SF) and validated. Internal and external expert panels developed a MMPQ-SF with 15 descriptors and 4-point Likert severity scales (MMPQ-SF15). Seventy-five subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment gave informed consent. Sixty-one subjects completed the MMPQ-SF15, a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the present pain index (PPI) 24 hours after an orthodontic visit. Respondents were grouped by gender and treatment stage: initial (15 female, 7 male), middle (10 female, 7 male), and end (16 female, 6 male). MMPQ-SF, VAS, and PPI scores were compared by Spearman correlation analysis. Underlying constructs were explored by factor analyses. Construct validity of the MMPQ-SF was tested by analysis of variance. MMPQ-SF15 and VAS (r = 0.78, r(2)s = 0.61, P < .0001), MMPQ-SF15 and PPI (r = 0.84, r(2)s = 0.71, P < .0001), and VAS and PPI (r = 0.70, r(2)s = 0.48, P < .0001) were correlated positively and significantly. A two-factor solution (localized and generalized/emotional pain; Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = 0.88) showed that 11 descriptors (MMPQ-SF11) accounted for 64% of response variability. Generalized/emotional pain values were significantly higher during the initial stage of treatment compared to the middle (P = .011) and end stages (P = .014). MMPQ-SF, particularly MMPQ-SF11, demonstrated utility in assessment of localized and generalized/emotional aspects of pain in adolescent orthodontic patients and correlated well with VAS and PPI. Future application of the MMPQ-SF11 to measure orthodontic pain more specifically could lead to more appropriate management of this important facet of therapy.

Combination Therapy with Transdermal Buprenorphine and Pregabalin for Chronic Low Back Pain

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined transdermal buprenorphine and pregabalin in chronic low back pain. A total of 45 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited into the study. For an initial 3-week period, all patients received transdermal buprenorphine 35 µg/h. After 3 weeks of only transdermal buprenorphine 35 µg/h, patients were randomized (single-blind) to receive transdermal buprenorphine 35 µg/h plus pregabalin 300 mg/day (group A) or transdermal buprenorphine 35 µg/h plus placebo (group B), and were observed for a further 3-week period. Efficacy parameters were weekly mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, the Pain Rating Index (PRI) of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the Present Pain Index (PPI) of the SF-MPQ and sleep interference. We also evaluated the use of rescue medication (paracetamol [acetaminophen]) and the presence of adverse events. A total of 44 patients were evaluated for efficacy and safety parameters. Pain relief, as assessed by VAS, PPI and PRI, improved significantly (p < 0.05) in all patients after the first week of treatment with only transdermal buprenorphine. Following randomization, only patients in group A showed further reductions in the mean VAS, PPI and PRI scores. Moreover, patients in group A had a lower consumption of rescue medication than those in group B. There was a low incidence of mild adverse events in both group A and group B, with no serious adverse events in either group. Pregabalin 300 mg/day as an add-on to transdermal buprenorphine 35 µg/h led to significant pain reduction and a significant reduction of interference with sleep quality in patients with chronic low back pain.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression in osteoarthritis: use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale as a screening tool

The aims of this study are to ascertain the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in an outpatient population with osteoarthritis (OA), examine the interrelationships between severity of OA, pain, disability, and depression, and evaluate the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening tool for this population. Patients with lower limb OA were evaluated with the Short Form McGill Pain and Present Pain Index Questionnaires, and a visual analogue scale, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index-section C, and the HADS. Participants underwent a structured clinical interview by a liaison psychiatrist (AB). X-rays of affected joints were rated for disease severity. Fifty-four patients (42 females; mean age 63.3) were investigated. The prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and/or depression was 40.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 27.6-55.0%). HADS was a good predictor of anxiety and depression with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% (95%CI, 64% to 99%) and 81% (95%CI, 65% to 92%), respectively. Pain correlated with HADS anxiety and depression scores (e.g. Rank correlation coefficients (Kendall's tau-b) between total HADS scores and Pain VAS scores 0.29; p=0.003). Disability was greater in patients with depression and/or anxiety (e.g. total HADS score; Kendall's rank correlation coefficient tau-b=0.26, p=0.007) OA severity as determined by radiological score was not a good predictor for anxiety nor depression and only weakly associated with disability. Anxiety and depression are very common in OA patients. HADS anxiety was a better predictor of diagnosed anxiety than HADS depression was of diagnosed depression. HADS is a valid and reliable screening instrument for detecting mood disorder, but not a diagnostic tool or a substitute for asking about symptoms of depression. The interrelationship between mental health, pain and disability is strong. We should therefore adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the management of OA.

Treatment of Neck Pain Using Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA)

Background: Cervical pain can be defined as a painful condition of the upper region of the spinal column affecting the neck and shoulders. The conservative treatment for uncomplicated neck pain includes physical and pharmacological measures, together with the provision of advice and manual treatment such as mobilization and manipulation. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture in the treatment of neck pain. Design and Setting: We studied patients with neck pain between June 2007 and January 2008 at Pain Service, San Luca Hospital, Trecenta (Rovigo), Italy. A prospective questionnaire using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Present Pain Index (PPI) was administered. Patients: We treated 46 patients (29 women and 17 men) with neck pain. Among them were 25 patients with osteoarthritis diagnosed by radiological examination and 21 patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Intervention: Patients were treated with only 1 session of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA) in the Basic Points A 1–7. Main Outcome Measures: Level of pain at 30 minutes after the session, evaluated with the VAS and PPI. Results: The degree of reduction of pain was 71% when evaluated with the VAS and 80% with PPI. Conclusions: YNSA acupuncture was effective in the reduction of neck pain for this group of patients, with only 1 needle in a single session.

Infiltration of Wounds and Extraperitoneal Space with Local Anesthetic in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Repair of Unilateral Inguinal Hernias: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

The potential analgesic benefit of infiltration of the wounds and extraperitoneal space with local anesthetic in patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernias remains unclear. Consenting adults scheduled to undergo laparoscopic TEP repair of unilateral inguinal hernias were recruited to this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of 0.25% bupivacaine (Group I) versus saline (Group II) infiltration of abdominal wounds and the extraperitoneal space. Pain scores were assessed at 4 and 24 hours postoperatively using the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the Present Pain Index (PPI) score and the visual analogue scale (VAS). The intravenous and oral analgesic requirements were recorded. Each patient completed questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with the postoperative analgesia. 40 patients were randomized (Group I, n = 20; Group II, n = 20). The two groups were comparable for age, gender, body mass index, and operating time. Minor complications occurred in one patient in each group. There were no significant differences in the postoperative SF-MPQ scores, PPI and VAS at 4 hours (p = 0.413, p = 0.631, p = 0.615 respectively) and 24 hours (p = 0.116, p = 0.310, p = 0.100 respectively) post-operatively. The parenteral and oral analgesics consumed post-surgery were comparable (p = 0.605, p = 0.235). No difference was ob-served in the patient satisfaction scores. Infiltration of abdominal wounds and extraperitoneal space with bupivacaine in patients undergoing laparoscopic TEP repair of unilateral inguinal hernias does not appear to offer analgesic benefits.Key words: Laparoscopic; extraperitoneal; inguinal hernia; repair; pain; bupivacaine; analgesia; satisfaction; day case; randomized.

Is soft tissue massage an effective treatment for mechanical shoulder pain? A study protocol

Very little research has been conducted into the effectiveness of soft tissue massage as an intervention for the treatment of mechanical shoulder pain. Studies that have been conducted suffer from methodological issues, poor long-term follow-up and have conflicting results. The aim of this study, therefore, is to provide treating clinicians with improved evidence regarding the effectiveness of soft tissue massage for shoulder pain of local mechanical origin. Participants referred to the trial with mechanical shoulder pain will be assessed for range of motion, functional ability, and pain by a blinded assessor. Participants will then be randomly allocated to either an exercise-only group or an exercise and soft tissue massage group. Both groups will receive seven treatment sessions from a physical therapist over a period of 4 weeks. One week after the cessation of treatment, all participants will be reassessed by the same blinded assessor. Three months after cessation of treatment, subjects will again be reassessed. The primary outcome will be pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) 1 week following the cessation of treatment. Secondary analyses will be pain at 3 months, the descriptive and present pain index sections of the short form McGill pain questionnaire, patient specific functional scale, and percentage improvement in pain scores and range of motion at 1 week following the cessation of treatment and at 3 month follow-up. Analysis of data will be carried out by a statistician who is blinded to group membership. Primary analyses will by intention-to-treat.

McGill Pain Questionnaire: A multi‐dimensional verbal scale assessing postoperative changes in pain symptoms associated with severe endometriosis

Objective evaluation of pelvic pain symptoms using a standard pain questionnaire is essential to assessing the treatment of endometriosis and related pain. To evaluate the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) as a multi-dimensional verbal scale in providing information about chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, before and after laparoscopic surgery. Fifty-five women undergoing laparoscopy for severe endometriosis were asked to complete the MPQ before surgery and at the 6-month follow up. All patients presented with preoperative pain symptoms of variable severity. We obtained the pain indexes and studied their relation with: patients' characteristics (age, body mass index, parity, qualification, occupation); operative findings (number, site and size of endometriotic lesions and presence of pelvic adhesions); and postoperative evolution of variable MPQ pain indexes at the 6-month follow up. Median present pain index (PPI) (index of pain intensity), before surgical treatment was 3 (2-4): preoperative PPI was <2 in 25% of patients while 25% of patients had PPI > 4. Overall median PPI after surgical treatment was 1 (0-2): postoperative index of pain intensity was <1 in 50% of patients, >2 in 25% of patients while 25% of patients did not experience postoperative pain. Overall pain intensity significantly decreased after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis (Wilcoxon test P < 0.0005). None of the patients' characteristics were found to be significantly correlated with the severity or improvement of preoperative pain at postoperative follow up (P > 0.05), and the intensity of preoperative pain was not correlated to any of the operative variables. There was a significant reduction in all individual MPQ pain indexes; however 18.2% of women did not show improvement of pain symptoms after laparoscopic surgery. An increasing endometrioma diameter was associated with a significant decrease in the difference in evaluative rank score of pain rating index between pain indexes at the 6-month follow up and preoperatively (P = 0.04, Spearman's rank correlation Rho = -0.277). MPQ appears to be useful as a multi-dimensional scale in describing patients' pain semiology and evaluating pain evolution after surgical treatment. However, due to the extreme variability of pain experience, MPQ results don't clarify the relationship between pain intensity and the severity of endometriosis.

The effectiveness of wet-cupping for nonspecific low back pain in Iran: A randomized controlled trial

To determine the efficacy of wet-cupping for treating persistent nonspecific low back pain. Wet-cupping therapy is one of the oldest known medical techniques. It is still used in several contemporary societies. Very minimal empirical study has been conducted on its efficacy. Randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups. Patients in the experimental group were offered the option of referral to the wet-cupping service; all accepted that option. The control group received usual care. Medical clinic in Kermanshah, Iran. In total, 98 patients aged 17-68 years with nonspecific low back pain; 48 were randomly assigned to experimental group and 50 to the control group. Patients in the experimental group were prescribed a series of three staged wet-cupping treatments, placed at 3 days intervals (i.e., 0, 3, and 6 days). Patients in the control group received usual care from their general practitioner. Three outcomes assessed at baseline and again 3 months following intervention: the McGill Present Pain Index, Oswestry Pain Disability Index, and the Medication Quantification Scale. Wet-cupping care was associated with clinically significant improvement at 3-month follow-up. The experimental group who received wet-cupping care had significantly lower levels of pain intensity ([95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72-2.60] mean difference=2.17, p<0.01), pain-related disability (95% CI=11.18-18.82, means difference=14.99, p<0.01), and medication use (95% CI=3.60-9.50, mean difference=6.55, p<0.01) than the control group. The differences in all three measures were maintained after controlling for age, gender, and duration of lower back pain in regression models (p<0.01). Traditional wet-cupping care delivered in a primary care setting was safe and acceptable to patients with nonspecific low back pain. Wet-cupping care was significantly more effective in reducing bodily pain than usual care at 3-month follow-up.