Mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between exercise-induced muscle pain and symptom severity in women with fibromyalgia.

Background: Individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) exhibit generalized hyperalgesia to pain stimuli, and physical activity (PA) is critical to manage FM symptoms.

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between exercise-induced muscle pain, symptom severity, and PA in 28 women with FM.

Methods: Muscle pain rating (MPR) was assessed during 3 minutes of submaximal isometric handgrip exercise, whereas PA and symptom severity were evaluated via self-report questionnaires.

Patients' perspectives of a pharmacist-provided clinical pharmacogenomics service.

To assess the perspectives and experiences of patients who participated in a pharmacist-provided clinical pharmacogenomics (PGx) service. We conducted individual semistructured interviews with 16 patients who received a pharmacist-provided PGx service. Qualitative data were analyzed to identify pertinent themes.

Implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics service in an executive health program.

Purpose: We describe the implementation of a pharmacist-provided pharmacogenomics (PGx) service in an executive health program (EHP) at an academic medical center.

Summary: As interest in genomic testing grows, pharmacists have the opportunity to advance the use of PGx in EHPs, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. In November 2018, a pharmacist-provided PGx service was established in the EHP at the University of Colorado Hospital.

Family Medicine Resident Perspectives on Curricula in Herbal Medicine.

Background And Objectives: Despite widespread patient use, herbal and dietary supplement education is not required in US-accredited medical schools. Thus, physicians are unprepared to address supplement use with patients. Our objectives were to assess perceived adequacy of medical education on supplements, determine resident perspectives on appropriate placement of curricula in their longitudinal medical education, and evaluate the effects of an innovative workshop on family medicine resident knowledge about supplements and intentions to address this topic with patients.

Acupuncture for Symptomatic Treatment of Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease: Trial Design and Implementation.

Acupuncture use is increasing worldwide for many conditions, including movement disorders. Clinical research in acupuncture has also increased to test anecdotal reports of clinical benefits empirically and investigate potential mechanisms. This article describes considerations for designing a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of acupuncture for fatigue in Parkinson's disease (PD) and describes the current authors' experience in the implementation and early conduct of this trial.

The Effect of Curanderismo on Chronic Non-malignant Pain: A Case Report.

This case study describes the effects of the use of curanderismo, an indigenous healing modality combining techniques in massage, sound, and aromatherapy, on a patient with chronic pain. Despite being a commonly used health practice in certain populations, little is reported in the medical literature about the use of curanderismo. Case report as part of a larger randomized trial of curanderismo for chronic pain.

Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Fatigue is a common and debilitating nonmotor symptom of PD. Because preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture improves fatigue in other conditions, we sought to test its efficacy in PD.

Methods: Ninety-four PD patients with moderate-to-high fatigue were randomized to receive 6 weeks of biweekly real or sham acupuncture.

Examination of contraction-induced muscle pain as a behavioral correlate of physical activity in women with and without fibromyalgia.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare muscle pain intensity during a sustained isometric contraction in women with and without fibromyalgia (FM), and examine the association between muscle pain and self-reported levels of physical activity.

Methods: Fourteen women with FM and 14 healthy women completed the study, where muscle pain ratings (MPRs) were obtained every 30 s during a 3 min isometric handgrip task at 25% maximal strength, and self-reported physical activity was quantified using the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: Women with FM were less physically active than healthy controls.

Pain mediates the association between physical activity and the impact of fibromyalgia on daily function.

This study quantified the association between recreational physical activity and daily function in women with fibromyalgia, and determined if this association is mediated by symptoms of pain, depression, or body mass. Twenty-three women diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated in an observational survey study. Recreational physical activity and the impact of fibromyalgia on daily function were assessed using the sport and leisure time physical activity subscales of the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), respectively.

Preliminary investigation of absent nociceptive flexion reflex responses among more symptomatic women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain condition with unclear physiologic mechanisms. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the responsiveness of nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) pathways between women with and without FMS. A secondary purpose was to examine the influence of depression, fibromyalgia symptom severity, and cardiovascular health on NFR responses among women with FMS.

Methodological challenges in conducting a multi-site randomized clinical trial of massage therapy in hospice.

Researchers conducting multi-site studies of interventions for end-of-life symptom management face significant challenges with respect to obtaining an adequate sample and training and retaining on-site study teams. The purpose of this paper is to describe the strategies and responses to these challenges in a multi-site randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the efficacy of massage therapy for decreasing pain among patients with advanced cancer in palliative care/hospice settings. Over a period of 36 months, we enrolled 380 participants across 15 sites; 27% of whom withdrew prior to study completion (less than the anticipated 30% rate).

Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized trial.

Background: Small studies of variable quality suggest that massage therapy may relieve pain and other symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of massage for decreasing pain and symptom distress and improving quality of life among persons with advanced cancer.

Design: Multisite, randomized clinical trial.

Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer.

Background: As the popularity of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) grows, patients are incorporating more CAM therapies into their conventional cancer care. Massage therapy, a CAM therapy known primarily for its use in relaxation, may also benefit patients with cancer in other ways. Massage can also be associated with risks in the oncology population.