Effects of electrode size and placement on comfort and efficiency during low-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation of quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles

Background Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may prevent muscle atrophy, accelerate rehabilitation and enhance blood circulation. Yet, one major drawback is that patient compliance is impeded by the discomfort experienced. It is well-known that the size and placement of electrodes affect the comfort and effect during high-intensity NMES. However, during low-intensity NMES the effects of electrode size/placement are mostly unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how electrode size and pragmatic placement affect comfort and effect of low-intensity NMES in the thigh and gluteal muscles. Methods On 15 healthy participants, NMES-intensity (mA) was increased until visible muscle contraction, applied with three electrode sizes (2 × 2 cm, 5 × 5 cm, 5 × 9 cm), in three different configurations on quadriceps and hamstrings (short-transverse (ST), long-transverse (LT), longitudinal (L)) and two configurations on gluteus maximus (short-longitudinal (SL) and long-longitudinal (LL)). Current–density (mA/cm2) required for contraction was calculated for each electrode size. Comfort was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10). Significance was set to p < 0.05 and values were expressed as median (inter-quartile range). Results On quadriceps the LT-placement exhibited significantly better comfort and lower current intensity than the ST- and L-placements. On hamstrings the L-placement resulted in the best comfort together with the lowest intensity. On gluteus maximus the LL-placement demonstrated better comfort and required less intensity than SL-placement. On all muscles, the 5 × 5 cm and 5 × 9 cm electrodes were significantly more comfortable and required less current–density for contraction than the 2 × 2 cm electrode. Conclusion During low-intensity NMES-treatment, an optimized electrode size and practical placement on each individual muscle of quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteals is crucial for comfort and intensity needed for muscle contraction.

Vibration anesthesia during carboxytherapy for cellulite: a study protocol

Background: To date, there has been no investigation addressing the effects of vibration anesthesia during carboxytherapy. Aim: Investigate the analgesic effect of different vibratory devices during carboxytherapy for the treatment of cellulite. Materials & methods: A total of 78 women between 18 and 49 years of age with cellulite in the gluteal region will be randomly allocated to three groups: Group A (carboxytherapy and vibratory device A), Group B (carboxytherapy and vibratory device B) and control group. Pain intensity will be assessed using a numerical rating scale after each puncture. Expected outcome: Vibration anesthesia is expected to be effective at diminishing the pain intensity caused by carboxytherapy comparison with the control group, with no differences between the vibratory devices. Trial registry: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials- ReBEC (RBR-8jcqy7c)

Taste and Smell Functions in Long-term Survivors after Childhood Medulloblastoma/CNS-PNET

Purpose Our aim was to investigate taste and smell functions in survivors, with a minimum of 2 years follow-up time, after treatment of childhood medulloblastoma/CNS-PNET. Methods This cross-sectional study included 40 survivors treated ≤ 20 years of age. Taste strips with four concentrations of sweet, sour, salt, and bitter were used to assess taste function in all participants. Score from 0-16; ≥ 9 normogeusia, < 9 hypogeusia, and complete ageusia which equals no sensation. No sensation of a specific taste quality equals ageusia of that quality. Thirty-two participants conducted smell testing using three subtests of Sniffin’ sticks; threshold, discrimination, and identification. Together they yield a TDI-score from 1-48; functional anosmia ≤ 16.00, hyposmia >16.00 - < 30.75, normosmia ≥ 30.75 - < 41.50, and ≥ 41.50 super smeller. Results were compared with normative data. Survivors subjectively rated their taste and smell functions using a numerical rating scale (NRS) score 0-10. Results Forty survivors with a mean follow-up of 20.5 years, 13 (32.5 %) were diagnosed with hypogeusia, nine (22.5 %) of these being ageusic of one or more taste qualities. Seventeen (53 %) of 32 participants were diagnosed with hyposmia. Comparing survivors with hyposmia to those with normosmia, a significant difference (p<0.05) was found in TDI-score and in all the subtests. The mean NRS score of subjective ratings of functions were high.Conclusion Our study showed impaired taste and smell functions in long-term survivors of childhood MB/CNS-PNET using objective measurements. However, subjective ratings did not reflect objective findings.

Opioid-free versus opioid-based anesthesia in pancreatic surgery

Background Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) is associated with significantly reduced cumulative postoperative morphine consumption in comparison with opioid-based anesthesia (OBA). Whether OFA is feasible and may improve outcomes in pancreatic surgery remains unclear. Methods Perioperative data from 77 consecutive patients who underwent pancreatic resection were included and retrospectively reviewed. Patients received either an OBA with intraoperative remifentanil (n = 42) or an OFA (n = 35). OFA included a combination of continuous infusions of dexmedetomidine, lidocaine, and esketamine. In OBA, patients also received a single bolus of intrathecal morphine. All patients received intraoperative propofol, sevoflurane, dexamethasone, diclofenac, neuromuscular blockade. Postoperative pain management was achieved by continuous wound infiltration and patient-controlled morphine. The primary outcome was postoperative pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS). Opioid consumption within 48 h after extubation, length of stay, adverse events within 90 days, and 30-day mortality were included as secondary outcomes. Episodes of bradycardia and hypotension requiring rescue medication were considered as safety outcomes. Results Compared to OBA, NRS (3 [2–4] vs 0 [0–2], P < 0.001) and opioid consumption (36 [24–52] vs 10 [2–24], P = 0.005) were both less in the OFA group. Length of stay was shorter by 4 days with OFA (14 [7–46] vs 10 [6–16], P < 0.001). OFA (P = 0.03), with postoperative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.0002) and delayed gastric emptying (P < 0.0001) were identified as only independent factors for length of stay. The comprehensive complication index (CCI) was the lowest with OFA (24.9 ± 25.5 vs 14.1 ± 23.4, P = 0.03). There were no differences in demographics, operative time, blood loss, bradycardia, vasopressors administration or time to extubation among groups. Conclusions In this series, OFA during pancreatic resection is feasible and independently associated with a better outcome, in particular pain outcomes. The lower rate of postoperative complications may justify future randomized trials to test the hypothesis that OFA may improve outcomes and shorten length of stay.

Acute Pain Assessment Inadequacy in the Emergency Department: Patients’ Perspective

For many patients, acute pain is a common cause to seek treatment in an Emergency Department (ED). An inadequate assessment could cause inappropriate pain management. The aim of this study was to describe and explain patients’ perceptions of acute pain assessment in the Emergency Department. The data were collected from ED patients (n = 114). Patients reported that nurses were asking about intensity of pain at rest, but only 52% during movement. According to the patients, the most common tools to assess acute pain were the verbal rating scale (VRS; 54% of patients), numerical rating scale (NRS; 28% of patients), and visual analogue scale (VAS; 9.7% of patients). Over twenty per cent of patients stated that ED nurses did not ask about the intensity of pain after analgesic administration. Twenty-four per cent of the patients were not pleased with nursing pain assessment in the ED. The assessment of acute pain is still inadequate in the ED. Therefore, ED nurses need to be more attentive to systematic acute pain management of patients in the ED.

Postoperative analgesic efficacy of the thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach (TAPA) and modified-TAPA for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures. Even though there is less postoperative pain with laparoscopic cholecystectomy than with open cholecystectomy, severe pain can occur, particularly within the first 24 hours. Evaluation of the efficacy of ultrasound-guided interfascial plane blocks for postoperative analgesia of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has recently come to prominence. The aim of our study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of thoracoabdominal nerves block through perichondrial approach (TAPA) and modified-TAPA (m-TAPA) blocks in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The present study included 56 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and received TAPA or m-TAPA block for perioperative analgesia. Each patient signed a written informed consent form. Block times and numerical rating scale (NRS) scores 1, 2, 3, and 12 hours postoperatively, hourly and total tramadol amount of use via the patient-controlled analgesia device, and additional analgesic drug consumption were all recorded. The TAPA group had significantly longer block application times than the m-TAPA group. At 1 and 12 hours, NRS scores were lower in the TAPA group. However, the mean NRS scores, total tramadol use, and use of additional analgesics were comparable between the groups. TAPA and m-TAPA block methods reduced NRS scores by alleviating pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures, thereby reducing the need for additional analgesics. Block times for TAPA were significantly longer than those for m-TAPA. However, both block applications were completed in a short period, smoothly and safely. The analgesic effect of TAPA block was more distinctive at 1 and 12 hours, and NRS scores were lower. However, we think that both block methods, when used under ultrasound guidance, will provide effective analgesia by supplementing the multimodal analgesia planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and other abdominal operations.

Sphenopalatine ganglion block for ipsilateral shoulder pain following open pancreaticoduodenectomy

A 59-year-old woman underwent an open pancreaticoduodenectomy. Thoracic patient controlled-epidural anaesthesia provided excellent incisional pain relief; however, the patient experienced intractable left shoulder pain (10/10 on the Numerical Rating Scale). To our knowledge, there is no effective established treatment for patients experiencing shoulder pain after an open pancreaticoduodenectomy. The patient’s shoulder pain did not respond to medical management with acetaminophen, ketorolac, lidocaine transdermal patch, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Then, on postoperative day 2, the acute pain service was consulted. Considering that the sphenopalatine ganglion block has been previously reported to be helpful in a number of painful conditions, including shoulder tip pain after thoracic surgery, we offered this treatment to the patient. After just one topical sphenopalatine ganglion block, using a cotton-tipped applicator, the patient’s shoulder pain entirely resolved and did not return. This is the first report of a successful treatment of intractable ipsilateral shoulder pain following an open pancreaticoduodenectomy with transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block.

Efektivitas Aromaterapi Lavender dan Peppermint Terhadap Skala Nyeri Haid Pada Remaja Putri

Adolescent girls will experience changes in the reproductive system marked by menstruation. Menstruation experienced in adolescents is often accompanied by complaints of menstrual pain. Menstrual pain can interfere with daily activities, so it requires treatment to reduce menstrual pain. One way of handling that can be done is with aromatherapy. Lavender and peppermint aromatherapy is a treatment that uses lavender and peppermint essential oils which contain linalool and linalyl acetate which are useful for reducing menstrual pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy with peppermint on the menstrual pain scale in adolescent girls. The research design used was quantitative, quasi-experimental method with a two-group pre-test and post-test design with a sample of 14 respondents, 7 respondents in the lavender aromatherapy group and 7 respondents in the peppermint aromatherapy group. The sampling technique used consecutive sampling. The instrument used is a numerical rating scale (NRS). Data were processed by Wilcoxon test and Mann Whitney test. The results of this study indicate that lavender aromatherapy and lemon aromatherapy are effective in reducing menstrual pain scale with p value 0.001 (p < 0.05). Levender aromatherapy and peppermint aromatherapy were effective in reducing menstrual pain scale, but there was no significant difference in reducing pain scale in both lavender and peppermint therapy groups.

Fremanezumab in the Prevention of High-Frequency Episodic and Chronic Migraine: A 12-Week, Multicenter, Real-Life, Cohort Study (The FRIEND Study).

Background Fremanezumab has demonstrated to be effective, safe, and tolerated in the prevention of episodic or chronic migraine (CM) in randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). Real-life studies are needed to explore drug effects in unselected patients in routine circumstances and to provide higher generalizability results. This study explores the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of fremanezumab in a real-life population of individuals affected by high-frequency episodic (HFEM: 8-14 days/month) or CM. Methods This is a 12-week multicenter, prospective, cohort, real-life study. We considered all consecutive patients affected by HFEM or CM visited at 9 Italian headache centers from 28/07/2020 to 11/11/2020. Eligible patients were given subcutaneous fremanezumab at the doses of 225 mg monthly or 675 mg quarterly, according to their preference. Primary study endpoints were the change in monthly migraine days (MMDs) in HFEM and monthly headache days (MHDs) in CM patients at weeks 9-12 compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints encompassed variation in monthly analgesic intake (MAI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), HIT-6 and MIDAS scores, and ≥50%, ≥75% and 100% responder rates at the same time intervals. Results 67 migraine patients had received ≥1 subcutaneous fremanezumab dose and were considered for safety analysis, while 53 patients completed 12 weeks of treatment and were included also in the effectiveness analysis. Fremanezumab was effective in both HFEM and CM, inducing at week 12 a significant reduction in MMDs (-4.6, p<0.05), MHDs (-9.4, p<0.001), MAI (-5.7, p<0.05; -11.1, p<0.001), NRS (-3.1, p<0.001; -2.5, p<0.001), and MIDAS scores (-58.3, p<0.05; -43.7; p<0.001). HIT-6 was significantly reduced only in HFEM patients (-18.1, p<0.001). Remission from CM to episodic migraine and from MO to no-MO occurred in 75% and 67.7% of the patients. The ≥50%, ≥75% and 100% responder rates at week 12 were 76.5%, 29.4% and 9.9% in HFEM and 58.3%, 25% and 0% in CM. Younger age emerged as a positive response predictor (OR=0.91; 95% CI 0.85-0.98, p=0.013). Treatment-emergent adverse events were uncommon (5.7%) and mild. No patient discontinued fremanezumab for any reason. Conclusions Fremanezumab seems more effective in real-life than in RCTs. Younger age emerges as a potential response predictor.

Musculoskeletal complications of diabetes post COVID-19

Background: COVID-19 is an emerging disease caused by the severe respiratory syndrome. This affects the respiratory system but directly or indirectly affects the multiple organ system, including the musculoskeletal system. The patients with diabetes who get COVID are at risk of a severe disease course and mortality.Methods: The study design is Observational study. The study will be conducted on 30patients who have recovered from covid-19 with diabetes mellitus. The samples of the study are selected randomly. The data will be collected in a non-homogenous way, especially regarding lifestyle habits, and severity of the illness. Myalgia was calculated by numerical rating scale, Arthralgia was calculated by visual analog scale, and fatigue was calculated by Chalder fatigue scale to assess the severity of fatigue.Results: The severity of the complication was decreased in patients with second month COVID-19 recovery than in the first month.Conclusions: Background: COVID-19 is an emerging disease caused by the severe respiratory syndrome. This affects the respiratory system but directly or indirectly affects the multiple organ system, including the musculoskeletal system. The patients with diabetes who get COVID are at risk of a severe disease course and mortality.Methods: The study design is Observational study. The study will be conducted on 30patients who have recovered from covid-19 with diabetes mellitus. The samples of the study are selected randomly. The data will be collected in a non-homogenous way, especially regarding lifestyle habits, and severity of the illness. Myalgia was calculated by numerical rating scale, Arthralgia was calculated by visual analog scale, and fatigue was calculated by Chalder fatigue scale to assess the severity of fatigue.Results: The severity of the complication was decreased in patients with second month COVID-19 recovery than in the first month.Conclusions: This study concluded that there is decrease in the severity of musculoskeletal complications in diabetic patients from 1st month to 2nd month COVID-19 recoveries.