A Case of Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia.

We report the case of a 76 year old lady with metastatic breast cancer, who presented to a hospice in severe distress from uncontrolled pain despite an increase in her opioid dose, alongside generalised hypersensitivity and delirium. The clinical presentation suggested opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). After reduction of the opioid dose, our patient significantly improved to the extent she was discharged home a few weeks later.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy: a randomized phase II study.

Background: A reduced exercise capacity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therapeutic exercise can be beneficial and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the quadriceps muscles may represent a practical approach. The primary aim of this study was to determine the acceptability of NMES of the quadriceps to patients with NSCLC used alongside palliative chemotherapy.

Exploring autonomic nervous system dysfunction in patients with cancer cachexia: a pilot study.

Introduction: Abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) have been associated with cachexia.

Methods: In nine cancer patients who had lost weight and nine age-matched healthy volunteers heart rate variability (HRV) components were determined, together with serum cortisol and urinary catecholamines/metanephrines.

Results: Compared to volunteers, patients exhibited a global reduction in HRV parameters, significantly so for high frequency, low frequency and total power (median values ms(2) 103 vs.

Randomized controlled pilot study of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients with lung cancer experience muscle wasting and weakness. Therapeutic exercise may be beneficial but is not always practical. An alternative approach may be neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the quadriceps muscles, but this has not been formally examined in patients with cancer.