Beeinflussung von Schmerzen durch physikalische Therapie

The new orientation concerning the therapy of chronic pain has brought about essential progress during recent years. However, physical therapy is often disregarded. Therefore, various possible ways of influencing pain by physical therapy are presented. In contrast to pharmacotherapy, physical therapy is often able to abolish the causes of pain. By means of respiratory control or relaxation it is possible to reduce increased muscular oder vascular reactivity. The unfavourable influences of increased tone of the sympathatic nervous system on the development of chronic pain may be reduced by several methods of physical therapy. The possibility of influencing the nociceptor and the surrounding tissue by electrotherapy is still a hypothesis, but a promising one. Central pain control by physical therapy is investigated most frequently and is of essential importance. It is also of value to take into consideration the psychotherapeutic effects of physical therapy. The integration of physical therapy into a complex treatment schedule may lead to further progress in the treatment of patients with pain.     

Erhebung von Schmerzen nach ambulanten Operationen

Background and aim

Pain after surgery continues to be undermanaged. Studies and initiatives aiming to improve the management of postoperative pain are growing; however, most studies focus on inpatients and pain on the first day after surgery. The management of postoperative pain after ambulatory surgery and for several days thereafter is not yet a major focus. One reason is the low return rate of the questionnaires in the ambulatory sector. This article reports the development and feasibility of a web-based electronic data collection system to examine pain and pain-related outcome on predefined postoperative days after ambulatory surgery.

Material and methods

In this prospective pilot study 127 patients scheduled for ambulatory surgery were asked to participate in a survey to evaluate aspects related to pain after ambulatory surgery. The data survey was divided in (1) a preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative part and (2) a postoperative internet-based electronic questionnaire which was sent via e-mail link to the patient on days 1, 3 and 7 after surgery. A software was developed using a PHP-based platform to send e-mails and retrieve the data after web-based entries via a local browser. Feasibility, internet-based hitches and compliance were assessed by an additional telephone call after day 7.

Results

A total of 100 patients (50 female) between 18 and 71 years (mean 39.1?±?12.7 years) were included in the pilot study. Return rates of the electronic questionnaires were 86?% (days 3 and 7) and 91?% (day 1 after surgery). All 3 electronic questionnaires were answered by 82?% of patients. Aspects influencing the return rate of questionnaires were work status but not age, gender, education level and preoperative pain. Telephone interviews were performed with 81 patients and revealed high operability of the internet-based survey without any major problems.

Conclusion

The user-friendly feasibility and operability of this internet-based electronic data survey system explain the high compliance and return rate of electronic questionnaires by patients at home after ambulatory surgery. This survey tool therefore provides unique opportunities to evaluate and improve postoperative pain management after ambulatory surgery.

     

Die Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen

Just little more than 10 years ago, pain was still considered a neglected aspect of medicine. Since that time, however, significant progress has been made in this field. The magnitude of the problem is evident from the fact that some 5 million Germans suffer from chronic pain, 600,000 of whom are considered to be particularly affected. It is with regard to these pain patients that the term "chronic pain disorder" has been coined. The mechanisms of progressive pain chronicity form one of the central topics in pain research. The plasticity of neuronal pain systems seems to be particularly relevant in this area. Increasingly, interdisciplinary pain management is available to patients with chronic pain disorder, demonstrating both the possibility of improvement for the chronic pain patient and the reduction in costs for the health care system. The number of such pain treatment/management facilities still needs to be expanded because "divinum est sedare dolorem"--it is divine to alleviate pain (Galen of Pergamon).     

Langzeiteffekte interventioneller Behandlungen von chronischen Schmerzen des Bewegungssystems

Introduction

Interventional procedures are frequently used for treatment of musculoskeletal pain syndromes but current scientific evidence does not show successful outcome in chronic cases. In this study the effect of repeated interventional treatment on the long-term outcome of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain was examined.

Materials and methods

In order to prepare for a retrospective outcome study (RCT) on proliferation therapy the clinical records of 38 patients who had been repeatedly treated (minimum 5 times) with an interventional treatment concept were examined.

Results

Patients were treated on average 10 times with approximately 107 single injections during each treatment cycle. In the long term the chronic pain syndrome showed a statistically significant deterioration with a generalization of the pain as well as an increase in pain medication, surgery and psychosocial impairment..

Discussion

Repeated treatment cycles of interventional pain therapy did not lead to an improvement in the treated pain syndromes and in the long term the pain syndromes deteriorated further. It seems likely that the interventional approach promoted this adverse development but the data of this study are not sufficient to conclusively prove this thesis.     

Untersuchungen zur zerebralen Verarbeitung von Schmerzen mit funktioneller Bildgebung

Functional neuroimaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provide fascinating insights into the cerebral processing of pain. Neuroimaging studies have shown that no clearly defined “pain centre” exists. Rather, an entire network of brain regions is involved in the processing of nociceptive information, which leads to the subjective impression of “pain”. Sophisticated study designs nowadays permit the characterisation of different components of pain processing. In this review, we summarise neuroimaging studies, which contributed to the characterisation of these different aspects of cerebral pain processing, such as somatosensory (discrimination of different stimulus modalities, noxious vs non-noxious, summation), emotional, cognitive (attention, anticipation, distraction), vegetative (homeostasis) and motor aspects.     

Schmerzbezogene Copingstrategien von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit chronischen Schmerzen

Validated intruments for measuring coping in children and adolescents with chronic pain are rare in Germany. Using a sample of 180 out-patient children with chronic pain, a main component analysis was performed as well as cross-validations with out-patient and in-patient treated children. The scales of the PPCI-R showed significant relationships to pain characteristics and emotional stress. Different alterations were found in the PPCI-R scales in children with migraine and those with tension-type headache. The PPCI revised is therefore a validated instrument for measuring coping an can be implemented e.g. in treatment studies for children suffering from chronic pain.     

Wirksamkeit und Wirkungsbeginn von Pregabalin bei Patienten mit neuropathischen Schmerzen

Background

The data from a previously published 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre study on the efficacy and safety of pregabalin were analyzed for time to onset of analgesic action with neuropathic pain.

Patients and methods

A total of 338 patients with postherpetic neuralgia or painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy were treated with flexible or fixed regimens of pregabalin at daily doses of up to 600 mg/day (n=141 and 132, respectively) or placebo (n=65).

Results

Under fixed dose treatment, a decrease of one full point on the 11-point numerical rating pain scale was reached on day 1, two full points on day 13, and three full points on day 23 (under flexible dose pregabalin: on days 6, 17 and 30). In both treatment arms, pain reduction was statistically significant (P=0.001, P=0.002 vs placebo, respectively).

Conclusion

In patients with chronic neuropathic pain, the analgesic effect of both pregabalin treatment regimens was high and associated with a rapid time to onset.     

Therapie und Prophylaxe von Gesichtsneuralgien und chronischen Schmerzen anderer Provenienz

Bei Klagen über einen bisher nicht abgekl?rten chronischen Gesichtsschmerz gilt eine erste überlegung der Frage, ob eine eigenst?ndige Gesichtsnervenneuralgie, vornehmlich eine Trigeminusneuralgie (TN), vorliegen k?nnte, denn diese Leiden lassen sich aufgrund charakteristischer diagnostischer Kriterien besonders zuverl?ssig erkennen und auch erfolgversprechend behandeln. Kann eine solche eigenst?ndige Gesichtsneuralgie ausgeschlossen werden, so kommen differentialdiagnostisch ein Reihe anderer Syndrome und Krankheiten in Betracht, bei denen chronischer Gesichtsschmerz vorkommen kann und von denen die wichtigsten in dieser übersicht kurz mit Definition, Diagnose und Therapie dargestellt werden sollen.

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Therapy and prophylaxis of face neuralgia and chronic pain of other origin

     

Langfristige Effekte von Opioiden bei Patienten mit chronischen nicht-tumorbedingten Schmerzen

A total of 121 patients with at least a 3-year history of opioid use were evaluated by a standardized interview during a clinical visit or telephone call. Assessed items were the present and former drug medication, daily doses, withdrawals, contentment with the treatment, positive/negative treatment effects, average/maximum pain and others. Statistics: chi(2), ANCOVA and survival analysis. Of 121 patients (frequency of withdrawal 14.8% mainly due to lack of efficacy) with an average treatment time of 66 months (37-105 months; 80,264 days; 87% more than 5 years), 103 (85%) still took an opioid step II or III according to the WHO analgesic ladder. Patients further treated in the pain clinic stopped significantly less frequently than patients treated by GPs or other non-specialised physicians (5 versus 23%). Patients with long-term opioid intake revealed significantly lower pain intensity and higher contentment with the pain management and achieved improvement (global, quality of life and physical state). Changes of opioid dosages during the 5 years were inconsistent (no change 33%, decrease 16%, slight increase 27%, high increase 19%). However, the number of patients with high dose increased from 6 to 23 due to significant loss of efficacy (proved in the morphine subgroup, p<0.05). The survey demonstrates a very low frequency of withdrawal in patients with long-term opioid medication after initial response without evidence for tolerance development, especially if their treatment is controlled in a pain centre.     

Akupunktur zur Behandlung von Schmerzen im Bereich der Lendenwirbelsäule

OBJECTIVES: This prospective, non-controlled pilot-study examines the potential benefit of acupuncture in patients with low back pain and radicular symptoms. METHODS: 60 patients with low back pain and lumbar disc herniation diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography were treated by acupuncture. Pain intensity was assessed before and after treatment on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Intensity of low back pain dropped from 59 to 19 mm, and intensity of radicular pain from 64 to 12 mm. Three to twelve months after the end of acupuncture, 88% of patients were satisfied with treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture as a noninvasive treatment with very few complications is a promising therapeutical option of low back pain, especially when associated with radicular symptoms.     

Epidemiologie und Therapie von Schmerzen und Depression bei HIV und Aids

Pain is one of the most common reasons for admission to hospital for patients suffering from AIDS. Pain and other symptoms very often cover depressive episodes. Pain induced by AIDS therapy represents a progressive problem and induces the necessity to alter the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Of HIV-infected people 90% complain of headaches. Headache may result from opportunistic infections, from side-effects of HAART or from the HIV in the CNS itself but also the high burden of idiopathic headaches must be considered. Up to 20% of all neuropathies in HIV-infected people are caused by HAART. In most cases changing of HAART is necessary. Problems of interactions between HAART and the substances used for pain therapy via the cytochrome P450 system represents a special therapeutic problem during HAART in order to avoid development of resistance by the HIV.     

Interskapulovertebrale Schmerzen

Spontaneous and pressure pain persistence, both with and without radiation, is often seen in the upper body quadrants. As a result of the so-called Pharaoh’s posture the interscapulovertebral area is enlarged and on palpation for pain is described as particularly pressure pain persistent in an area of 7.2 cm paraspinous. This area was examined with regard to the local structures in two anatomical specimens. It appears that in this area the m. serratus medialis superior or the m. iliocostalis is fixed on the ribs. The m. iliocostalis pars cervicalis in particular comes into question due to the frequency of the appearance of the maximum point in radicular lesions in the area of the plexus cervicobrachialis. The statement made on the similarity between the course of the m. iliocostalis and that of the bladder meridian is speculative but well founded, and particularly the point bladder 39 gives neuralgia in the shoulder area in its indications.     

Neuropathische Schmerzen

Neuropathic pain is caused by lesions in the somatosensory system. Characteristic but not exclusive features are spontaneous burning pain, electrifying and shooting pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. The basic concept of the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain is the combination of peripheral and central sensitization. Knowledge on the molecular mechanisms has grown exponentially in recent years. The problem lies in identifying the individual mechanisms and in determining a comprehensive concept. Progress has also been made in assessment, e.g., methods for detecting dysfunction of nociceptors have significantly improved. In addition, there are many more therapeutic options available than 15 years ago. The drugs available include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and topical medications. Data from controlled trials and recommendations from guidelines are available.     

Intrathekale und epidurale Applikation von Nichtopioidanalgetika zur Therapie akuter und chronischer Schmerzen

Nociceptive stimuli are modulated at the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. This modulation is performed by various systems working independently complementarily, additively or supra-additively. Non-opioid analgesics relieve pain without a motor blockade. In contrast to spinal opioids a reduced risk of respiratory depression is expected. In the therapy of chronic pain non-opioid analgesics may be an alternative, given alone or in combination with an opioid. Clinically relevant dosages for antinociception mediated by the alphaadrenoceptoragonistclonidine are >/=150 mug epidurally. Clonidine is effective in reducing acute and chronic pain. In combination with opioids the action of the opioids is intensified. Clonidine intensifies and prolongs the action of local anesthetics. If opioid tolerance occurs, epidural clonidine alone or in combination with an opioid has good antinociceptive action.Midazolam, a water-soluble benzodiazepine, was injected spinally for the reduction of pain for various indications (postoperative, malignancy, chronic back pain, spinal spasticity). Spinal benzodiazepine should not be injected into the spine in patients until it has been proven that there are no neurotoxic effects. Intrathecally injectedbaclofen is a well-known means of reducing spinal spasticity. Used in this way, it may have a secondary analgesic effect. No significant direct analgesic effect has so far been demonstrated. Spinalcalcitonin often leads to insufficient pain relief when given alone. Combination with an opioid may reduce the dosage of the opioid. Nausea and vomiting are frequent side effects of spinal calcitonin. Intrathecalsomatostatin produces antinociception. However, in animal studies neurotoxic action has been observed. Administration in man has not yet been proved to be safe. Spinalketamine has procluted controversial results in clinical studies, and has not yet been excluded that the substance is not neurotoxic.Lysine acetylsalicylic acid (L-ASA) has been given intrathecally for the therapy of severe cancer pain and chronic back pain. In most patients good analgesia was observed up to 2 months after a single injection. If neurotoxity can be excluded, L-ASA may be an alternative in the therapy of cancer pain before neurodestructive therapy is done.     

Neurobiologie viszeraler Schmerzen

Visceral pain is diffusely localized, referred into other tissues, frequently not correlated with visceral traumata, preferentially accompanied by autonomic and somatomotor reflexes, and associated with strong negative affective feelings. It belongs together with the somatic pain sensations and non-painful body sensations to the interoception of the body. (1) Visceral pain is correlated with the excitation of spinal (thoracolumbar, sacral) visceral afferents and (with a few exceptions) not with the excitation of vagal afferents. Spinal visceral afferents are polymodal and activated by adequate mechanical and chemical stimuli. All groups of spinal visceral afferents can be sensitized (e.g., by inflammation). Silent mechanoinsensitive spinal visceral afferents are recruited by inflammation. (2) Spinal visceral afferent neurons project into the laminae I, II (outer part IIo) and V of the spinal dorsal horn over several segments, medio-lateral over the whole width of the dorsal horn and contralateral. Their activity is synaptically transmitted in laminae I, IIo and deeper laminae to viscero-somatic convergent neurons that receive additionally afferent synaptic (mostly nociceptive) input from the skin and from deep somatic tissues of the corresponding dermatomes, myotomes and sclerotomes. (3) The second-order neurons consist of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons (about 90?% of all dorsal horn neurons) and tract neurons activated monosynaptically in lamina I by visceral afferent neurons and di- or polysynaptically in deeper laminae. (4) The sensitization of viscero-somatic convergent neurons (central sensitization) is dependent on the sensitization of spinal visceral afferent neurons, local spinal excitatory and inhibitory interneurons and supraspinal endogenous control systems. The mechanisms of this central sensitization have been little explored. (5) Viscero-somatic tract neurons project through the contralateral ventrolateral tract and presumably other tracts to the lower and upper brain stem, the hypothalamus and via the thalamus to various cortical areas. (6) Visceral pain is presumably (together with other visceral sensations and nociceptive as well as non-nociceptive somatic body sensations) primarily represented in the posterior dorsal insular cortex (primary interoceptive cortex). This cortex receives in primates its spinal synaptic inputs mainly from lamina I tract neurons via the ventromedial posterior nucleus of the thalamus. (7) The transmission of activity from visceral afferents to second-order neurons in spinal cord is modulated in an excitatory and inhibitory way by endogenous anti- and pronociceptive control systems in the lower and upper brain stem. These control systems are under cortical control. (8) Visceral pain is referred to deep somatic tissues, to the skin and to other visceral organs. This referred pain consists of spontaneous pain and mechanical hyperalgesia. The mechanisms underlying referred pain and the accompanying tissue changes have been little explored.