A clinical test to assess isometric cervical strength in chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD): a reliability study.

Background: Cervical spine muscle weakness is well demonstrated in individuals with chronic neck pain. There is a lack of literature evaluating clinically applicable means of assessing isometric cervical strength in chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD). This study assessed the reliability of self-resisted isometric cervical strength testing using a handheld dynamometer.

Minimizing the source of nociception and its concurrent effect on sensory hypersensitivity: an exploratory study in chronic whiplash patients.

Background: The cervical zygapophyseal joints may be a primary source of pain in up to 60% of individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) and may be a contributing factor for peripheral and centrally mediated pain (sensory hypersensitivity). Sensory hypersensitivity has been associated with a poor prognosis. The purpose of the study was to determine if there is a change in measures indicative of sensory hypersensitivity in patients with chronic WAD grade II following a medial branch block (MBB) procedure in the cervical spine.

Reliability of a clinical test for deep cervical flexor endurance.

Objective: Endurance deficiencies of the deep cervical flexors are associated with pain, increased lordosis, and headache. A need exists for reliable clinical tests of flexor endurance. This study determined intrarater and interrater reliability of such a test in persons without neck pain.

The effect of spinal introducer needle use on postoperative back pain.

Postdural puncture back pain has a reported incidence ranging from 2% to 29% following the administration of a spinal anesthetic. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the back pain and patient satisfaction scores after the administration of a spinal anesthetic with or without the use of an 18-gauge introducer needle. Eighty-four men and women were randomly assigned to either control or experimental groups; 67 were included in data analysis.

A comparison of rocuronium and lidocaine for the prevention of postoperative myalgia after succinylcholine administration.

The incidence of postoperative myalgia (POM) after succinylcholine administration has been reported to range from 5% to 83%. The administration of small doses of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants or lidocaine before the administration of succinylcholine has been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of POM experienced by patients. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the severity of POM in subjects receiving pretreatment with rocuronium or lidocaine.

Use of a simple forearm tourniquet as an adjunct to an intravenous regional block.

Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is a well-recognized technique for producing anesthesia during surgical procedures of the extremities. It has been suggested that the application of a tourniquet to the forearm may improve the quality of the block. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the application of a forearm tourniquet would accelerate onset time and improve the density and quality of an intravenous regional block.

Assessment of postanesthesia short-term quality of life: a pilot study.

Quality of life is a major focus for researchers conducting studies on patient satisfaction and anesthetic outcomes. Efficacy and safety drive anesthesia providers' determination of the type of anesthesia administered, yet little consideration is given to postanesthesia quality of life from the patient's perspective. We hypothesized that patient-defined, postanesthesia short-term quality-of-life issues are significant factors to consider when selecting anesthesia.