3D MRI Modeling of Thin and Spatially Complex Soft Tissue Structures without Shrinkage: Lamprey Myosepta as an Example.

3D imaging techniques enable the nondestructive analysis and modeling of complex structures. Among these, MRI exhibits good soft tissue contrast, but is currently less commonly used for nonclinical research than X-ray CT, even though the latter requires contrast-staining that shrinks and distorts soft tissues. When the objective is the creation of a realistic and complete 3D model of soft tissue structures, MRI data are more demanding to acquire and visualize and require extensive post-processing because they comprise noncubic voxels with dimensions that represent a trade-off between tissue contrast and image resolution.

The Relationship Between Pacing and Avoidance in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Unlabelled: Activity pacing is ubiquitous in chronic pain management and aims to reduce pain-contingent avoidance of activity to improve functioning. A meta-analysis, however, has linked pacing with higher levels of pain and disability. One potential explanation is an overlap between existing measures of pacing and avoidance, leading to links with poorer outcomes that are typically associated with avoidance.

Long-term outcomes from training in self-management of chronic pain in an elderly population: a randomized controlled trial.

This study compares the outcomes, from pretreatment to 1-year follow-up, of an outpatient, CBT-based pain self-management program (PSM) that included exercises, pain education, and pain coping strategies, with a control condition (exercise-attention control, EAC) that included exercises and a control for the attention of the treatment team. We previously reported short-term results (to 1-month follow-up) from the same study. This new paper considers the important issue of maintenance of treatment-related gains.

The mediating role of catastrophizing in the relationship between pain intensity and depressed mood in older adults with persistent pain: A longitudinal analysis.

Background And Aims: Depression is common in older adults with persistent pain. Cognitive-behavioural models of pain propose that the relationship between pain and depression is influenced or mediated by interpretations of events (cognitions), rather than by the event itself. Almost exclusively, the evidence for this position has come from studies of people aged less than 65 years.

The effectiveness of psychological treatments for chronic pain in older adults: cautious optimism and an agenda for research.

Purpose Of Review: To explores the potential role of psychological treatments for older people who are affected by chronic pain.

Recent Findings: It is now widely recognized that chronic pain is a highly prevalent health problem among older people, and guidelines have evolved to assist with the assessment and management of chronic pain. However, despite the fact that psychological treatments have been shown to be effective for a range of other conditions such as depression and anxiety, there is a relative paucity of studies focused on pain management.

Self-management intervention for chronic pain in older adults: a randomised controlled trial.

This study compared an outpatient pain self-management (PSM) program, using cognitive-behavioural therapy and exercises, with 2 control conditions in 141 chronic pain patients aged > 65 years. Results immediately posttreatment indicated that relative to the Exercise-Attention Control (EAC) group, the PSM group was significantly improved on measures of pain distress, disability, mood, unhelpful pain beliefs, and functional reach. The mean effect size for these gains was 0.

Catastrophizing mediates the relationship between pain intensity and depressed mood in older adults with persistent pain.

Unlabelled: This study examined the role of catastrophizing in mediating the relationship between pain intensity and depressed mood in older adults with persistent pain using reliable and valid measures for this population. A convenience sample of 669 patients 61 years and over attending a tertiary-level referral pain center completed questionnaires measuring pain intensity, depressed mood, and catastrophizing as part of a clinical assessment process. The catastrophizing subscale of the Pain-Related Self-Statements scale (PRSS-Catastrophizing) was examined for internal consistency and factor structure.

The utility of the short version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in elderly patients with persistent pain: does age make a difference?

Objective: This study examined the assessment of the negative emotional constructs of depression, anxiety and stress with the short version (21 items) of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in elderly patients (age > 60 years) with persistent pain.

Design: A convenience sample of 2,045 patients attending a tertiary referral pain centre were categorized by age and included a group aged 60 years and under (n=1,245) for assessment of age differences. Elderly patients (n=800) were divided into 3 groups: 61-70 years (n=366), 71-80 years (n=308) and 81 years and over (n=126).

Assessing pain in older people with persistent pain: the NRS is valid but only provides part of the picture.

Unlabelled: This study examined the assessment of pain intensity and pain distress with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) in elderly patients (age > 60 years) with persistent pain. A consecutive sample of 800 elderly patients were categorized by age into 3 groups: 61 to 70 years (n = 366), 71 to 80 years (n = 308), and 81 years and over (n = 126). Participants completed 3 Numerical Rating Scales assessing current pain intensity, and both the usual level of pain and average pain distress in the preceding week.