Different mechanisms for the short-term effects of real versus sham transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with chronic pain: a pilot study.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has existed since the early 1970s. However, randomized placebo controlled studies show inconclusive results in the treatment of chronic pain. These results could be explained by assuming that TENS elicits a placebo response.

The long-term outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment for patients with chronic pain: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an easy to use analgesic intervention. However, long-term randomized placebo-controlled studies with treatment periods of more than 3 months have not been executed to date. The aim of our study is to explore the long-term (1 year) time course of the treatment effects of TENS compared to placebo (sham TENS).

No impaired hemoglobin oxygenation in forearm muscles of patients with chronic CRPS-1.

Objectives: Physiotherapy is considered an important treatment option in patients with upper limb complex regional pain syndrome type-1 (CRPS-1). In case of chronic CRPS-1, exercise therapy of the affected limb forms an important part of the physiotherapeutic program. We investigated whether muscle loading in chronic CRPS-1 patients is associated with impairments in muscle circulation of the forearm of the affected limb.

Changed patterns in Dutch palliative sedation practices after the introduction of a national guideline.

Background: Continuous sedation, contrary to euthanasia, has been increasingly accepted among medical professionals worldwide. In the Netherlands, a national guideline for continuous palliative sedation has been developed to contribute to the quality of palliative sedation practice. The present follow-up study investigated whether the practice of continuous sedation has changed after the introduction of this guideline.

Multidisciplinary allocation of chronic pain treatment: effects and cognitive-behavioural predictors of outcome.

Objectives: Multidisciplinary treatment approaches have been found to be effective for chronic pain patients although there are large individual differences in outcomes. To increase overall treatment effects, tools are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from tailored, comprehensive modular treatment schemes.

Design: The present study evaluates the effects of a multidisciplinary pain treatment allocation protocol in chronic pain patients and seeks to identify cognitive-behavioural predictors of outcome.