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Indian Journal of Dental Research :... Jan 2024Dental radiography is an integral part of intraoral evaluation. Children are often uncomfortable during the placement of film or sensor due to the impingement of the...
BACKGROUND
Dental radiography is an integral part of intraoral evaluation. Children are often uncomfortable during the placement of film or sensor due to the impingement of the soft tissues. Thus, the perception of pain with three intraoral radiographic methods in children was evaluated using three subjective pain rating scales.
AIM
To evaluate the discomfort with three different techniques, that is, intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiograph, charge-coupled device (CCD), and photostimulable phosphor (PSP) luminescence (PSPL), using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS), numerical rating scale, and visual analog scale (VAS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A sample of 35 children aged 6-12 years were divided into two groups: group 1 (6-8 years) and group 2 (9-12 years). For each child, simulations of the three radiological methods (IOPA, CCD, and PSPL) were performed. The meaning of each facial expression on the WBFPRS, VAS, and the numbers on the numerical rating scale was explained to each child before the procedure.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED
A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and paired-samples t-test are used.
RESULTS
The results revealed that the CCD sensors elicited higher pain scores than those obtained with IOPA and PSPL, whereas the IOPA film showed the least pain score. Higher score values were obtained in group 1 than in group 2, indicating that children aged 6-8 years felt higher discomfort than the 9- to 12-year age group for the same procedure. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
It was concluded that conventional IOPA films were tolerated better by children when compared to PSP plates and CCD sensors.
Topics: Humans; Child; Pain Measurement; Male; Female; Radiography, Dental, Digital; Pain Perception; Radiography, Dental
PubMed: 38934750
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_78_23 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The field of electronic skin has received considerable attention due to its extensive potential applications in areas including tactile sensing and health monitoring....
The field of electronic skin has received considerable attention due to its extensive potential applications in areas including tactile sensing and health monitoring. With the development of electronic skin devices, electronic skin can be attached to the surface of human skin for long-term health monitoring, which makes comfort an essential factor that cannot be ignored in the design of electronic skin. Therefore, this paper proposes an assessment method for evaluating the comfort of electronic skin based on neurodynamic analysis. The holistic analysis framework encompasses the mechanical model of the skin, the modified Hodgkin-Huxley model for the transduction of stimuli, and the gate control theory for the modulation and perception of pain sensation. The complete process, from mechanical stimulus to the generation of pain perception, is demonstrated. Furthermore, the influence of different factors on pain perception is investigated. Sensation and comfort diagrams are provided to assess the mechanical comfort of electronic skin. The comfort assessment method proposed in this paper provides a theoretical basis when assessing the comfort of electronic skin.
PubMed: 38930289
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122920 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: A physician in a chronic pain treatment clinic must recognize that the relationship between pain and spirituality is bidirectional. Chronic pain can decrease the level...
: A physician in a chronic pain treatment clinic must recognize that the relationship between pain and spirituality is bidirectional. Chronic pain can decrease the level of spiritual well-being, and low spiritual well-being can also significantly intensify the perception of pain and worsen coping with it. Currently, for many scientific and medical communities, it is evident that spiritual care is an indispensable element of holistic medicine. : The authors developed a non-religious spiritual care model provided by a physician at a chronic pain treatment clinic from May 2022 to February 2024. : The study utilized a mixed-method approach to conduct the research. The analysis consisted of twelve patients. A FACIT-Sp-12 questionnaire evaluated the individual's spiritual well-being before the intervention. The intervention involved asking patients open-ended questions about their life history, experiences, and spiritual beliefs and the physician's use of active listening and empathetic responses to what patients shared (relationship-building activities). The intervention aimed to assist patients in accepting the limitations of an incurable chronic disease, affirming the value of their lives, enhancing inner harmony, and increasing their sense of belonging to something greater. After the intervention, a re-assessment of the patient's spiritual well-being was conducted using the FACIT-Sp-12 questionnaire. Researchers collected qualitative data through a confidential survey that included the following instructions: "Please express an anonymous opinion on how you perceive the spiritual care provided by the physician". : There was an increase in spiritual well-being, assessed using the FACIT-Sp-12 scale, in 9 out of 12 patients. The median, as well as the average, level of spiritual well-being increased in a statistically significant way after the intervention ( < 0.05). This was primarily due to the higher value of the peace subscale of the questionnaire. Qualitative analysis revealed benefits reported by patients (personal development, gratitude, satisfaction, support, hope) resulting from physician's actions. : Both qualitative and quantitative data showed that establishing a relationship with the doctor improves the spiritual well-being of patients. Therefore, this model can be recommended for physicians in chronic pain treatment clinics.
PubMed: 38930144
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123615 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has...
Hydrotherapy, including the use of therapeutic showers and bathtubs, has been studied for its potential benefits in labor pain management. Previous research has indicated that hydrotherapy can alleviate pain, but comparative studies between therapeutic showers and bathtubs are scarce. : This study aims to compare the effects of therapeutic showers and bathtubs on pain perception, labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, and maternal and neonatal outcomes during labor. : A total of 124 pregnant women were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: those who used a therapeutic shower and those who used a bathtub during labor. Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Labor duration, use of epidural analgesia, types of delivery, maternal outcomes (postpartum hemorrhage, perineal status, maternal hypotension, fever, and breastfeeding), and neonatal outcomes (APGAR scores, fetal heart rate, complications, and neonatal unit admissions) were recorded and analyzed. : Both the therapeutic shower and the bathtub effectively reduced pain perception, with the bathtub showing a greater reduction in VAS scores. The therapeutic shower group experienced a significantly shorter labor duration compared to the bathtub group. The majority of participants in both groups did not require epidural analgesia, with no significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in the types of delivery. Maternal outcomes indicated a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies in the therapeutic shower group. Neonatal outcomes, including APGAR scores and fetal heart rate, were similar between the groups, with no significant differences in complications or neonatal unit admissions. : Both therapeutic showers and bathtubs are effective for pain relief during labor, with the bathtub showing a higher reduction in pain intensity. The therapeutic shower is associated with a shorter labor duration and a lower incidence of perineal tears and episiotomies. Both methods are safe for neonatal well-being, making hydrotherapy a viable non-pharmacological option for pain management in labor. However, the therapeutic shower may offer additional benefits in terms of labor duration and maternal outcomes.
PubMed: 38930046
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123517 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine May 2024Pain perception, far from being a pathological mechanism, is a crucial protective stimulus to prevent additional injuries. Any disturbance in this complex system poses... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Pain perception, far from being a pathological mechanism, is a crucial protective stimulus to prevent additional injuries. Any disturbance in this complex system poses significant risks to individuals, affecting their quality of life and even their survival.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to explore congenital insensitivity to pain, an extremely rare genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern that results in the inability to perceive pain. We will focus on the well-known subtype, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). Our research seeks to update existing knowledge through a comprehensive literature review.
METHODOLOGY
The review employs a systematic literature review, analyzing various sources and scientific documents, primarily emphasizing CIPA. The review follows the PROSPERO protocol, registered under CRD42023394489. The literature search was performed on the Scopus, PubMed, and Cinahl databases.
RESULTS
Our review reveals secondary complications associated with CIPA, such as recurrent bone fractures, temperature insensitivity, self-mutilation, and, occasionally, intellectual disabilities. The limited available information underscores the need for expanding our knowledge.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, CIPA, particularly, presents a significant medical challenge with adverse impacts on quality of life. Early diagnosis, education for families and healthcare professionals, and appropriate nursing care are essential for effective management. This review highlights the necessity of further research and awareness to enhance support for those affected.
PubMed: 38929791
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060570 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: The role of surgical extraction of the third molar in patients' sleep quality remains unclear, although it is one of the most common oral surgical procedures. The aim... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
: The role of surgical extraction of the third molar in patients' sleep quality remains unclear, although it is one of the most common oral surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to assess the changes in patient-reported sleep health outcomes after third molar surgery and to investigate any associations between sleep parameters and post-extraction pain. : Young adults without known comorbidities who were in need of mandibular third molar surgical extraction were included. All participants completed a sleep diary, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) questionnaires, which were used to assess sleep habits, daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and insomnia severity one week before and after extraction. In addition, a visual analog scale was completed postoperatively to assess the perception of pain. : Out of 75 patients who completed the study protocol, 32 (42.7%) were males and 43 (57.3%) were females, with a mean age of 24.01 (±3.43) years. Postoperatively, statistically significant higher scores were observed for PSQI [4.85 (±2.32) before vs. 5.39 (±2.75) after, = 0.041], AIS [5.56 (±3.23) before vs. 6.91 (±4.06) after, < 0.001] and average weekly number of nocturnal awakenings [2.01 (±3.72) before vs. 4.19 (±5.20) after, < 0.001] but not for ESS, average weekly sleep duration and average weekly sleep onset latency. Pain perception was increased in patients who slept worse on almost all seven postoperative days, although this did not reach statistical significance. : Third molar surgery impacts sleep quality and insomnia severity in the first week after extraction, while there is no effect on daytime sleepiness. The worsening of subjective sleep symptoms after extraction may be associated with an increased perception of pain.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Molar, Third; Adult; Tooth Extraction; Young Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sleep Quality; Pain, Postoperative; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 38929475
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060858 -
Biomedicines May 2024The variability of the Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) effect can be attributed to conditioning stimulus (CS) characteristics, such as intensity, duration,...
The variability of the Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) effect can be attributed to conditioning stimulus (CS) characteristics, such as intensity, duration, unpleasantness, or affinity. This study investigates the impact of affinity and unpleasantness variables on the CPM effect using two protocols (cold water and ischemia) in the same healthy individuals (n = 54). Additional variables were also examined for their potential influence on the CPM effect. The main results are as follows: (1) a higher level of affinity and a lower level of unpleasantness for the stimuli used resulted in a stronger CPM effect; (2) significant differences were observed in the extreme categories (high and low) of both variables, whereas the 'indifferent' group did not show a clear trend; (3) within-subject analysis demonstrated that affinity for the CS had a clear impact on the CPM effect; (4) no correlations were found between the CPM effect and the additional variables, except for the extraversion variable with the CPM effect of the ischemia protocol, and CS duration variable with CPM effect in the cold water protocol; and (5) only the affinity variable explained the CPM effect in both protocols in the multiple linear regression analysis. The affinity variable was found to influence the CPM effects significantly, indicating its important role in our perception and response to pain.
PubMed: 38927379
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061172 -
Journal of Patient-reported Outcomes Jun 2024The Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark (GLA:D™), an evidence-based education and exercise program designed for conservative management of knee and hip...
BACKGROUND
The Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark (GLA:D™), an evidence-based education and exercise program designed for conservative management of knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA), has been shown to benefit participants by reducing pain, improving function, and quality of life. Standardized reporting in the GLA:D databases enabled the measurement of self-reported and performance-based outcomes. There is a paucity of qualitative research on the participants' perceptions of this program, and it is important to understand whether participants' perceptions of the benefits of the program align with reported quantitative findings.
METHODS
We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with individuals who participated in the GLA:D program from January 2017 to December 2018 in Alberta, Canada. Data were analyzed using an interpretive description approach and thematic analysis to identify emergent themes and sub-themes associated with participants perceived benefits of the GLA:D program. We analyzed the data using NVivo Pro software. Member checking and bracketing were used to ensure the rigour of the analysis.
RESULTS
30 participants were interviewed (70% female, 57% rural, 73% knee OA). Most participants felt the program positively benefited them. Two themes emerged from the analysis: wellness and self-efficacy. Participants felt the program benefited their wellness, particularly with regard to pain relief, and improvements in mobility, strength, and overall well-being. Participants felt the program benefited them by promoting a sense of self-efficacy through improving the confidence to perform exercise and routine activities, as well as awareness, and motivation to manage their OA symptoms. Twenty percent of participants felt no benefits from the program due to experiencing increased pain and feeling their OA was too severe to participate.
DISCUSSION
The GLA:D program was viewed as beneficial to most participants, this study also identified factors (e.g., severe OA, extreme pain) as to why some participants did not experience meaningful improvements. Early intervention with the GLA:D program prior to individuals experiencing severe OA could help increase the number of participants who experience benefits from their participation.
CONCLUSION
As the GLA:D program expands across jurisdictions, providers of the program may consider recruitment earlier in disease progression and targeting those with mild and moderate OA.
Topics: Humans; Female; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Male; Qualitative Research; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Middle Aged; Aged; Quality of Life; Exercise Therapy; Alberta; Interviews as Topic; Self Efficacy; Patient Education as Topic
PubMed: 38922491
DOI: 10.1186/s41687-024-00740-w -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis have different levels of effectiveness, so it is necessary to personalize the therapeutic modality that improves the...
Comparison of the Short-Term Effect between Iontophoresis and Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
UNLABELLED
Conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis have different levels of effectiveness, so it is necessary to personalize the therapeutic modality that improves the patients' symptoms.
METHODS
A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of a physical treatment in chronic plantar fasciitis, namely iontophoresis, compared with radial shockwave therapy. Heel pain, health status using the EuroQol-5D questionnaire, and fascia thickness measured with ultrasound were evaluated. In total, 127 patients were randomly selected for group A and treated with iontophoresis therapy (lidocaine 0.4% and dexamethasone 0.5%), or for group B, in which they were treated with radial shockwave therapy (EWST). Measurements were taken at baseline and at follow-up during the 5 weeks of the study.
RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were observed to the shockwave therapy group in respect to the final fascia thickness, and the VAS scale ( = 0.001). The differences between groups A and B showed that the shockwave group follow-up after 3 weeks experienced complete pain remission (1.0 ± 0.9; 95%CI 0.8-1.2) and after the 6-week follow-up, complete pain remission of plantar fasciitis was observed for both therapies. Patients had a better perception of the use of EWST at the end of the treatment, although in both groups it was satisfactory ( = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed a shorter-term effectiveness of shockwave treatment compared with the use of iontophoresis. However, both techniques were effective in satisfactorily reducing pain in this short period.
PubMed: 38921337
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121223 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024(1) Background: Patients who undergo a medical rehabilitation treatment are often facing a physical, emotional and spiritual crisis, mostly due to pain, loss of limb...
(1) Background: Patients who undergo a medical rehabilitation treatment are often facing a physical, emotional and spiritual crisis, mostly due to pain, loss of limb functionality, the memory of the pre-disease days or questions about their role and value in life. Most of the time, the physician does not have the ability to deal with these issues or to provide the expected responses. The aim of this study was to analyze the patient's perception on spirituality and faith while going through a medical rehabilitation program. (2) Methods: The current study included 173 patients treated in the Rehabilitation Department of the Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Of them, 91 comprised the study group and were assessed in 2023, while 82 comprised the control group and were assessed in 2007. All patients answered a 34-item questionnaire designed by the authors regarding the role of religion, spirituality and prayer in their post-disease life. (3) Results: The results show that 99% of the patients assessed believe in God, 80% pray every day, 50% have less pain after praying and 44% trust their priest the same as they trust their doctor. When comparing groups, results from 2023 show that more patients pray every day, while fewer are afraid of dying, think their disease is serious or wish for the medical team to pray with them, compared to 2007. (4) Conclusions: The physician should not neglect the faith of the patient and should use it to achieve a better rehabilitation outcome.
PubMed: 38921316
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121202