scholarly journals Philosophical Issues and Psychological Variables that Influence the Determination of Opioid Effectiveness: A Narrative Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (20;7) ◽  
pp. E1095-E1105
Author(s):  
Daniel Michael Doleys
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Physician Patient Relationship ◽  
Selective Review ◽  
Proper Patient Selection ◽  
The Impact

Background: The prescribing of opioids in the chronic pain setting is often based on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenetics of the drug obtained during development and clinical trials. However, the effectiveness of opioids varies widely and often appears to bear no relationship to the aforementioned variables. The impact of philosophical issues and psychological factors on determining how clinically effective opioid therapy is has often been over looked. Objectives: This manuscript provides a selective review and narrative summary of the philosophical issues and psychological factors which can influence opioid effectiveness. Study Design: A selective review and narrative analysis of the literature. Methods: Experimental and clinical-based studies examining the impact of psychological factors on the effectiveness of opioids were extracted from the literature. Studies in which psychological factors were used as an independent variable were given preference. Results: The philosophical issues reviewed include: (a) one’s understanding of the nature of chronic pain, (b) the meaning of the score on the pain numerical rating scale (NRS), and (c) the selection of outcome measures. The psychological factors found to influence the effectiveness of opioids include: (a) role conditioning and learning, especially as they relate to conditioned analgesia, non-associative tolerance, and the nocebo effect, (b) dosing pattern, (c) patient specific factors, e.g., mood, overall psychological and neurocognitive status, (d) social variables, e.g., personal environment and the media, and (e) the dysfunctional endogenous opioid system and its relationship to various psychological disorders. Limitations: This is a selective review of the literature. Some of the hypotheses presented have not been experimentally validated. The review includes animal, human, experimental, and clinical studies. Conclusions: In general, the effectiveness of opioids may be influenced as much by the overall context in which they are used, including the physician-patient relationship as well as their pharmacological properties. Data obtained from short-term and well-controlled trials may not generalize to the clinical setting, which is often more complex and dynamic. Appreciating the impact of psychological factors may assist the clinician in proper patient selection, monitoring, and improved outcomes. Key words: Psychological factors, philosophical issues, chronic pain, opioid therapy, effectiveness, conditioning, placebo, cognitive dysfunction

scholarly journals The Role of Testosterone Supplemental Therapy in Opioid-Induced Hypogonadism: A Retrospective Pilot Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1208-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer A. Raheem ◽  
Sunil H. Patel ◽  
David Sisul ◽  
Tim J. Furnish ◽  
Tung-Chin Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Opioid Therapy ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Chronic Noncancer Pain ◽  
Numerical Rating ◽  
Noncancer Pain ◽  
Supplemental Therapy

Chronic opioid therapy for pain management is known to induce several endocrine changes. The authors examined the effect of testosterone supplemental therapy (TST) in patients with chronic, noncancer pain undergoing opioid therapy. It was hypothesized that treatment of opioid-induced hypogonadism (OIH) can reduce opioid requirements in patients suffering from chronic pain and approve their quality of life. Over 18 months period, patients with OIH were identified in a tertiary referral pain center, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores and daily morphine equivalent dose (MED) were the primary outcomes measured. Data were collected and comparative analysis performed between men undergoing TST versus nontreatment group. Twenty-seven OIH patients (total testosterone <300 ng/dL) were identified during the study period. TST group consists of 11 patients, while non-TST group consists of 16 patients as control cohort. Mean patient age (55 and 54.4, p = .4) and basic metabolic index (28.5 and 31.9, p = .07) in TST and non-TST groups, respectively. Mean follow-up total testosterone (ng/dL) was significantly higher after TST compared with the non-TST group (497.5 vs. 242.4 ng/dL, p = .03). Median follow-up NRS was 0 and 2 in the TST and non-TST groups ( p = .02). Mean MED (mg) decreased by 21 mg in TST group and increased by 2.5 mg in non-TST group ( p < .05). This study reports that treatment of OIH with TST can reduce opioid requirements in men with chronic pain as quantified by MED. It also confirms previous reports on the potential effects of OIH and that TST is effective in correcting opioid-induced endocrine abnormalities.

scholarly journals Study of Pain Level Control Targets After Arthroscopic Surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Xin ◽  
Liu Congying ◽  
Zhang Xiaole ◽  
Wang Hong ◽  
Xu Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Pain Score ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Arthroscopic Surgery ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Pain Level ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: To explore the goal of pain control in patients after arthroscopic surgery.Design: Investigation. Postoperative pain, pain control satisfaction and the effect of pain on daily activities were investigated and evaluated.Setting: Department of Sports Medicine,Peking University 3rd Hospital,Beijing, P.R.ChinaSubjects: 514 patients selected by convenience sampling from patients hospitalized in a level A hospital in Beijing from 2020.06-2020.11. The patient inclusion criteria were an age of at least 18 years, no history of diagnosis of mental illness, the ability to clearly express his or her pain and an agreement to voluntarily cooperate with the investigators. The exclusion criteria were patients who were unable to complete follow-up.Methods: Postoperative pain, pain control satisfaction and the effect of pain on daily activities were investigated and evaluated by administering a homemade questionnaire to 514 patients selected by convenience sampling from patients hospitalized in a level A hospital in Beijing from 2020.06-2020.11. Pain was assessed using a digital pain numerical rating scale (NRS) (0-10), and a digital score ranging from 0 to 10 was used for satisfaction with pain control and the impact of pain on aspects of daily living.Results: The pain level was most severe in patients 6-24 hours after arthroscopic surgery, during which pain control satisfaction was at its worst. The pain score was significantly related to the effects of pain on aspects of daily life, and the degree of these effects changed significantly for pain scores greater than 2 points.Conclusion: Pain control 6 to 24 hours after surgery is not satisfactory. It is recommended that a pain score of 2 points is used as the goal for pain control after arthroscopic surgery to guide both doctors and patients to effectively control postoperative pain.

scholarly journals Early Changes in Pain Acceptance Predict Pain Outcomes in Interdisciplinary Treatment for Chronic Pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Probst ◽  
Jank ◽  
Dreyer ◽  
Seel ◽  
Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Interdisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Pain Acceptance ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Studies have shown that pain acceptance is associated with a better pain outcome. The current study explored whether changes in pain acceptance in the very early treatment phase of an interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based treatment program for chronic pain predict pain outcomes. A total of 69 patients with chronic, non-malignant pain (at least 6 months) were treated in a day-clinic for four-weeks. Pain acceptance was measured with the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ), pain outcomes included pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) as well as affective and sensory pain perception (Pain Perception Scale, SES-A and SES-S). Regression analyses controlling for the pre-treatment values of the pain outcomes, age, and gender were performed. Early changes in pain acceptance predicted pain intensity at post-treatment measured with the NRS (B = −0.04 (SE = 0.02); T = −2.28; p = 0.026), affective pain perception at post-treatment assessed with the SES-A (B = −0.26 (SE = 0.10); T = −2.79; p = 0.007), and sensory pain perception at post-treatment measured with the SES-S (B = -0.19 (SE = 0.08); T = -2.44; p = 0.017) . Yet, a binary logistic regression analysis revealed that early changes in pain acceptance did not predict clinically relevant pre-post changes in pain intensity (at least 2 points on the NRS). Early changes in pain acceptance were associated with pain outcomes, however, the impact was beneath the threshold defined as clinically relevant.

scholarly journals The effects of a novel pilates exercise prescription method on people with non-specific unilateral musculoskeletal pain: a randomised pilot trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-206
Author(s):  
Augustine Joshua Devasahayam ◽  
Doreen Ren Yan Ho ◽  
Elsa Yee Sum Leung ◽  
Ming Rong Goh ◽  
Patricia Koh
Keyword(s):  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Numerical Rating

Background: Pain alters the neuromuscular activation and results in altered movement adaptations. A new exercise prescription method proposes that we can restore the neuromuscular control by rehabilitating the deficient neural drive through Pilates exercises. This is done by identifying the postural control deficits using single-leg tests such as hopping, half squats and heel raises. The aim of this study was to find out if this method of prescribing exercises results in clinically relevant outcomes. Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic non-specific low back pain with unilateral musculoskeletal pain were recruited. Following consent, all patients were randomly assigned either to perform gym or Pilates-based individualised exercises once weekly for six weeks. The primary outcome was to measure the pain intensity using a 0–10 numerical rating scale. The secondary outcome measures were: the global perceived effect scale (GPE; 0–10), the patient-specific functional scale (PSFS; the patient-generated measure of disability) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; the condition-specific measure of disability). Results: There were statistically significant differences noted after intervention within the control group in the numerical rating scale ( P=0.041), GPE ( P=0.024), PSFS ( P=0.039) and within the experimental group in the WOMAC ( P=0.008), GPE ( P=0.007) and PSFS ( P=0.007). However, as there were clinically significant baseline differences, the within-group difference could be due to regression to the mean. There were no statistically significant results between the two groups after intervention. Conclusion: This new prescription method for Pilates-based exercises may improve disability and global perception of recovery. However, the outcomes are not different from a regular gym-based exercise programme.

scholarly journals Resting-state brain functional connectivity in patients with chronic pain who responded to subanesthetic-dose ketamine

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Motoyama ◽  
Yoshitetsu Oshiro ◽  
Yumiko Takao ◽  
Hitoaki Sato ◽  
Norihiko Obata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Predictive Marker ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Improvement Rate ◽  
Numerical Rating ◽  
Brain Functional Connectivity

Abstract Ketamine has been used to treat chronic pain; however, it is still unknown as to what types of chronic pain is ketamine effective against. To identify the effect of administration of subanesthetic-dose ketamine in patients with chronic pain and to clarify the mechanism of the effect, we retrospectively investigated brain functional connectivity using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Patients were divided into responders (Group R: ≥50% improvement on Numerical Rating Scale) and non-responders (Group NR). We compared the differences in terms of brain functional connectivity by seed-to-voxel correlation analysis. Two-sample t-test revealed significant lower connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and precuneus in Group R. We also found a significant negative correlation between the improvement rate and functional connectivity strength between the mPFC and precuneus. These findings suggest that subanesthetic-dose ketamine is effective in patients with chronic pain whose brain functional connectivity between the mPFC and precuneus is low. We believe that the current study explored for the first time the correlation between brain functional connectivity and the effect of subanesthetic-dose ketamine for chronic pain and indicated the possibility of use of the predictive marker in pharmacological treatment of chronic pain.

Predictors of chronic neuropathic pain after scoliosis surgery in children

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 339-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Julien-Marsollier ◽  
Raphaelle David ◽  
Julie Hilly ◽  
Christopher Brasher ◽  
Daphné Michelet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Opioid Consumption ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Scoliosis Surgery ◽  
Preoperative Pain

AbstractBackgroundNumerous publications describe chronic pain following surgery in both adults and children. However, data in the paediatric population are still sparse and both prevalence of chronic pain after surgery and risk factors of this complication still undetermined.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated the prevalence of chronic pain and its neuropathic pain component at 1 year following correction of idiopathic scoliosis in children less than 18 years of age. Pain was defined as the presence of pain (numerical rating scale – NRS ≥4), the presence of signs of neurologic damage within the area of surgery and the presence of the neuropathic symptoms as a DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire ≥4. Factors investigated as potentially associated with the presence of a persistent neuropathic pain were: age, weight, the presence of continuous preoperative pain over the 3 months before surgery, surgical characteristics, pain scores during the first five postoperative days, and DN4 at day 3. Statistical analysis employed univariate analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model.ResultsThirty six patients were included in the study. Nineteen (52.8%) had pain at one year after surgery. Among them 17 (48.2%) had neuropathic pain. Logistic regression found continuous pain over the 3 months preceding surgery and day 1 morphine consumption ≥0.5 mg kg-1 as independent predictors of persistent chronic pain with a neuropathic component. The overall model accuracy was 80.6 and the area under the curve of the model was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.78–0.99).ConclusionsThe present study found a high proportion of paediatric patients developing chronic persistent pain after surgical correction of scoliosis diformity. It allows identifying two factors associated with the occurrence of persistent chronic pain with a neuropathic component: the presence of persistent preoperative pain during the 3 months preceeding surgery and postoperative opioid consumption at day 1 –;0.5 mg kg-1ImplicationPatients scheduled for spine surgery and presenting with preoperative pain should be considered at risk of chronic pain after surgery and managed accordingly by the chronic and/or acute pain team. Postoperative opioid consumption should be lowered as possible by using multimodal analgesia and regional analgesia such as postoperative epidural analgesia.

What is the clinical relevance of the Numerical rating scale for pain?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicia Cox
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Patient Global Impression ◽  
Numerical Rating ◽  
Group A ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Global Impression Of Change

The landmark paper discussed in this chapter is ‘Clinical importance of changes in chronic pain intensity measured on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale’, published by Farrar et al. in 2001. The numerical rating scale is now the standard instrument used in chronic pain studies to measure pain intensity. Farrar et al. determined the changes in pain intensity that were clinically significant for studies of chronic pain while measuring the patient’s global impression of change. The paper used pooled data from ten recent studies of pregabalin in 2,724 subjects. The authors reported a consistent relationship between pain intensity and patient global impression of change, regardless of study, disease type, age, sex, study result, or treatment group. A reduction of approximately two points on the numerical rating scale, or of 30% in the global impression of change of pain intensity, represented a clinically important difference.

scholarly journals Surgical or Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Cervical Spine Metastases: Results From the Epidemiology, Process, and Outcomes of Spine Oncology (EPOSO) Cohort

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Michael R. Bond ◽  
Anne L. Versteeg ◽  
Arjun Sahgal ◽  
Laurence D. Rhines ◽  
Daniel M. Sciubba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Cervical Metastases ◽  
Spine Metastases ◽  
Radiotherapy Alone ◽  
The Impact

Study Design: Ambispective cohort study design. Objectives: Cervical spine metastases have distinct clinical considerations. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of surgical intervention (± radiotherapy) or radiotherapy alone on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients treated for cervical metastatic spine tumours. Methods: Patients treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy for cervical spine metastases were identified from the Epidemiology, Process, and Outcomes of Spine Oncology (EPOSO) international multicentre prospective observational study. Demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and HRQOL (numerical rating scale [NRS] pain, EQ-5D (3L), SF-36v2, and SOSGOQ) measures were prospectively collected at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postintervention. Results: Fifty-five patients treated for cervical metastases were identified: 38 underwent surgery ± radiation and 17 received radiation alone. Surgically treated patients had higher mean spinal instability neoplastic scores compared with the radiation-alone group (13.0 vs 8.0, P < .001) and higher NRS pain scores and lower HRQOL scores compared to the radiation alone group ( P < .05). From baseline to 6 months posttreatment, surgically treated patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in NRS pain, EQ-5D (5L), and SOSGOQ2.0 scores compared with nonsignificant improvements in the radiotherapy alone group. Conclusions: Surgically treated cervical metastases patients presented with higher levels of instability, worse baseline pain and HRQOL scores compared with patients who underwent radiotherapy alone. Significant improvements in pain and HRQOL were noted for those patients who received surgical intervention. Limited or no improvements were found in those treated with radiotherapy alone.

A Clinical Case Demonstrating the Effectiveness of an Individualized Multimodal Intervention for Chronic Pain and Cognitive Sequelae Secondary to Traumatic Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 344-360
Author(s):  
Rosanna Scott ◽  
Megan Sherod
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Pain Rating ◽  
Patient Reported

Chronic pain and cognitive difficulties are common secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, given the vast heterogeneity in TBI presentation, no empirically supported treatments specific to TBI exist. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of an empirically informed multimodal treatment, in which treatment components were selected based on the patient’s individual symptoms and delivered in a manner cognizant of the patient’s cognitive profile. Treatment incorporated components of cognitive behavioral therapy, physical intervention, mindfulness, sleep hygiene, distress tolerance, and cognitive rehabilitation. Pain, sleep, and therapy-related activities were logged daily. Treatment progress was further measured with the Beck Depression Inventory–II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Insomnia Severity Index. The patient reported a significant reduction in pain (average pain rating reduced from 8.5-9 to 6.90 on the numerical rating scale [NRS]) and reported experiencing his least painful day in “years” (i.e., pain rating of 3). The patient reported improvements in mood and sleep, increased engagement in physical/other pleasant activities, and improved academic performance. The patient is currently not pursuing opioids or surgical intervention for pain. This case demonstrates the importance of utilization of neuropsychological data in the identification of treatment goals, appropriate treatment selection, and implementation of suitable techniques. This approach can provide neurologically atypical individuals with interventions that better address their symptom presentation and maximize prognosis.

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