Vacuum myofascial therapy device for non-specific neck pain. A single blind randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a vacuum myofascial therapy device (VT) for improving pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), range of motion (ROM), neck pain-related disability, pain, and quality of life in patients with non-specific neck pain.MethodsA randomized controlled trial in which thirty-eight participants with non-specific neck pain (NP) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (VT) or a comparison physical therapy program (PTP) group. The VT group (n = 19) received five sessions of treatment with a vacuum myofascial therapy device while the PTP group (n = 19) received five sessions of massage, ultrasound therapy (US), and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) over two weeks. The outcome measures were the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), range of motion, quality of life (SF-12), neck disability Index (NDI), and PPTs at the end of treatment and at one-month follow-up.ResultsAlthough both groups experienced improvements in pain, neck disability, range of motion, and pressure pain, these only were statistically significant in the VT group. At one-month follow-up, the VT group still showed improvements in pain, neck disability, and range of motion.DiscussionVacuum myofascial therapy applied with a device offers similar results to other vacuum-based techniques such as cupping therapy. Moreover, in this device the parameters are digitally controlled, which allows for the precise reproduction of treatment.     

Evidence of impaired pain modulation in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and chronic back pain

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Although 40% of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients present with chronic back pain, the pathophysiology and underlying pain mechanisms remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that development of chronic pain syndrome in AIS is associated with alterations in pain modulatory mechanisms.

缺血修饰性白蛋白在急性缺血性胸痛中的诊断价值

目的 评价缺血修饰性白蛋白（ischemia modified albumin，IMA）对急性缺血性胸痛（ICP）的早期诊断价值。方法 时206例发病〈12h、表现为急性胸痛的患者立即行12导联心电图（ECG）检查，并抽血进行IMA、肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）、肌酸激酶同工酶MB（CK-MB）测定。将ECG、IMA、cTnI、CK-MB的结果单独或结合与最终诊断为非缺血性胸痛（NICP）及ICP的相互关系进行比较。结果 最后诊断为ICP98例，NICP108例，ICP发病〈3h和3-6h组IMA水平明显升高，与NICP组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）；ICP发病〉6h组IMA水平与NICP组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。IMA诊断发病〈3hICP的敏感性和阴性预测值（NPV）为89．1％和88．8％，明显高于ECG、cTnI和CK-MB，四者结合为97．6％和96．9％；IMA诊断发病3～6hICP的敏感性和NPV为71．7％和74．5％，也高于ECG、cTnI、CK-MB，四者结合为95．5％和94．2％；但IMA对于发病〉6h的ICP则无诊断作用。结论 IMA是诊断ICP的早期敏感生化指标，对于发病〈6h（尤其是〈3h）的ICP诊断具有较高的敏感性和NPV，优于ECG、CK-MB、cTnI；将IMA与其他指标结合，可进一步提高对ICP的诊断价值。     

卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿粘连程度及相关因素分析

Objective To investigate the relationship between degree of endometrioma adhesions and clinical feature, surgical treatment and postoperative recurrence. Methods From Jan 2003 to Mar 2008, 662 patients with endometrioma undergoing laparoscopic ovarian endometrioma excision in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were studied retrospectively. All patients were classified into four groups according to the extent of adhesions: 31 cases in none adhesions group, 123 cases in mild adhesions group (filmy thickness, avascular, easily separated adhesions), 310 cases in moderate adhesions group (less than a half of ovary was adjacent to dense thickness adhesions which was difficult to separate, or above a half of ovary were adjacent to filmy thickness adhesions) and 198 cases in severe adhesions group (above a half of ovary was adjacent to dense thickness, well vascularized adhesions which was difficult to separate, and always involved the other pelvic organs, observed angiogenesis). The comparison of degree, characteristics, period of pain, lab test, surgical management and postoperative recurrence was performed among those above groups. In the mean time, risk factors and multinomial logistic regression were analyzed. Results (1)Clinical characteristics: The incidence of patients with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, straining feeling in anus, chronic pelvic pain and the level of CA125 (>35 kU/L) was remarkably higher in moderate-to-severe adhesion groups than in none-to-mild adhesions groups (P=0.000, 0.000, 0.001, 0.006 and 0.000, respectively). Infertility rate were significantly higher in severe adhesions group(15.7%,31/198) than none adhesions group(3.2%,1/31), mild adhesions group(11.4%,14/123) and moderate adhesions group(9.7%,30/310, OR=1.728, P<0.05).(2)Operating time and blood loss: Operating time of each groups was as followed: (37±15) min in none adhesions group, (42±19) min in mild adhesions group, (50±20) min in moderate adhesions group and (63±22) min in severe adhesion group. Blood loss was (23±12) ml in none adhesion group, (31±27) ml in mild adhesion group, (40±32) ml in moderate adhesion group and (70±67) ml in severe adhesions group. Thicker adhesions result in longer operation time and more blood loss. (3)Combined with other disease: The ratio of patients who combined with adenomyosis or deeply infiltrating endometriosis in moderate-to-severer adhesion groups was higher than patients in none-to-mild adhesions groups (OR=3.466, P=0.000). (4) Postoperative recurrence: It was categorized into recurrence of pain and cyst. Moderate-to-severe adhesions was related to higher recurrence rate of pain (OR=1.685,P=0.046), but was irrelevant to recurrence of cyst. Conclusion The more extent of endometrioma adhesions was related to severer pelvic pain symptoms, longer operating time and more blood loss. Postoperative pain recurrence rate was observed in moderate-to-severe adhesion group. Extent of adhesions was irrelevant to cyst recurrence.     

Lumbar Spinal Cord Stimulation Can Improve Muscle Strength and Gait Independently of the Analgesic Effect: A Case Report

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is widely used for pain relief in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and muscle weakness is a common finding in patients with chronic pain. We present here a single case report of a 47‐year‐old woman, who, after SCS for FBSS, had continuous improvement in lower leg muscle strength and gait, but only transient and minimal pain relief. To the authors’ knowledge, this is only the second published case report of significant improvement in “motor” function, independent of the analgesic effect following SCS in FBSS. If SCS, in fact, does improve muscle strength, new strategies for the management of patients with chronic pain might be opened up. Further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.     

The value of a pantaloon cast test in surgical decision making for chronic low back pain patients: a systematic review of the literature supplemented with a prospective cohort study

The results of lumbar fusion in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients vary considerably, and there is a need for proper patient selection. Lumbosacral orthoses have been widely used to predict outcome, however, with little scientific support. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of a pantaloon cast test in selecting chronic LBP patients for lumbar fusion or conservative management. First, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in which two independent reviewers identified studies in Medline, Cochrane and Current Contents databases. Three papers met the selection criteria. In the only study with a control group, a significantly better outcome after fusion compared to conservative treatment was found in patients who reported significant pain relief while in a cast (i.e. a positive cast test). The results of lumbar fusion, however, were not significantly different for patients with a positive and those with a negative cast test. In addition to the review, a clinical cohort study of 257 LBP patients, who had been allocated to either lumbar fusion or conservative management by a temporary external transpedicular fixation trial, was performed. Prior to allocation, all had undergone a pantaloon cast test. Patients with no history of prior spine surgery and with a positive pantaloon cast test had a better outcome after lumbar fusion than those treated conservatively (P = 0.002, χ ² test). In patients with previous spine operations the outcomes were poor and the test was of no value. From the literature and the present patient cohort, it was concluded that only in chronic LBP patients without prior spine surgery, a pantaloon cast test with substantial pain relief suggests a favorable outcome of lumbar fusion compared to conservative management. The test has no value in patients who have had previous spine surgery.     

氦氖激光血管内照射配合吗啡控制癌痛的对照观察

目的探讨氦氖激光血液照射辅助治疗控制癌痛的疗效。方法对52例中晚期癌症重度痛患者在使用口服吗啡治疗基础上加用低能量氦氖激光血液照射治疗1周后,对疼痛缓解程度及平均缓解时间进行对照观察。结果加用激光照射组的镇痛疗效优于单用吗啡组,P<0.05,有效率分别为92%和84%,P>0.05,显效率分别为67%和46%,u=2.07,P<0.05,均数缓解时间分别为(8±3)h和(8±4)h,t=0.78,P>0.05,差异无显著性意义。结论氦氖激光血液照射治疗有一定协同镇痛作用。     

Use of paracervical analgesia for outpatient hysteroscopic surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Twenty-five women receiving sedation for outpatient hysteroscopic polypectomy were injected with 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL (paracervical group) and another 25 received the same volume of saline (control group) at the cervical fornix. Both groups were given target-controlled propofol sedation during the procedure. More propofol (mg/min) was needed for adequate anesthesia in the control group compared to the paracervical group (6.5 versus 4.6). In addition, the postoperative pain scores were lower in the paracervical group than in the control group. Hemodynamic changes and postoperative side effects were similar in the two groups. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study confirmed the effective use of paracervical blocks. This approach has the effect of reducing the amount of intraoperative propofol and decreasing postoperative pain in outpatient hysteroscopic surgery.