Comparison between acupuncture therapy and gabapentin for chronic pain: a pilot study.

Background: We examined whether the effect of true electroacupuncture on pain and functionality in chronic pain participants can be differentiated from that of medication (gabapentin) by analyzing quantitative sensory testing (QST).

Methods: We recruited chronic back and neck pain participants who received six sessions (twice weekly) of true electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture or 3 weeks of gabapentin versus placebo treatment. QST profiles, pain scores, and functionality profile were obtained at baseline (visit 1) and after three sessions (visit 4) or six sessions (visit 7) of acupuncture or 3 weeks of gabapentin or placebo.

A randomized trial to assess the immediate impact of acupuncture on quantitative sensory testing, pain, and functional status.

In this randomized clinical trial, we examined whether the effect of true acupuncture can be differentiated from sham acupuncture (pain and functionality) by analyzing quantitative sensory testing (QST) profiles in chronic pain participants. We recruited 254 healthy or chronic back and neck pain participants. Healthy subjects were included to control for a possible effect of acupuncture on baseline QST changes.

Chronic Opioid Therapy Modifies QST Changes After Ketamine Infusion in Chronic Pain Patients.

Unlabelled: The long-term effects of opioids on sensitization processes are believed to be mediated through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) changes observed after a ketamine infusion have been previously described but the effect that chronic opioids will have is not known. The results of this prospective randomized factorial trial compared the thermal QST changes observed after a .

Lack of correlation between opioid dose adjustment and pain score change in a group of chronic pain patients.

Unlabelled: Despite the increasing use of opioid analgesics for chronic pain management, it is unclear whether opioid dose escalation leads to better pain relief during chronic opioid therapy. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data collected from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Pain Medicine over a 7-year period. We examined 1) the impact of opioid dose adjustment (increase or decrease) on clinical pain score; 2) gender and age differences in response to opioid therapy; and 3) the influence of clinical pain conditions on the opioid analgesic efficacy.

Opioid therapy for chronic pain: physicians' attitude and current practice patterns.

Although opioid therapy is widely used for the treatment of chronic pain conditions, there is a lack of consensus on a number of practical issues related to the use of prescription opioids. The authors conducted a comprehensive practice-oriented survey to examine physicians' attitudes, knowledge, experience, and practice patterns regarding opioid therapy for chronic pain management. The survey was conducted during 2007 and 2008 through nationwide direct mails and e-mails to physicians who are currently practicing in the United States.