Assessing the Impact of a Humanistic Care-Based Nursing Model on the Psychological Well-being of Trigeminal Neuralgia Outpatients in Pain Clinics.

Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of a humanistic care-based nursing model on the psychological well-being of individuals diagnosed with primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and attending a pain clinic. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, including 166 patients diagnosed with primary trigeminal neuralgia who sought treatment at our hospital's Pain Clinic between March 2022 and December 2022. Among them, 88 patients receiving care based on a humanistic care-based nursing model constituted the observation group, while 78 patients receiving standard nursing care comprised the control group. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were employed to evaluate patients' psychological states. Additionally, changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with nursing satisfaction levels, were recorded. A three-month follow-up was conducted, during which the recovery quality was assessed using the Questions of Reality-155 (QOR-15). Results: Following the nursing intervention, the observation group displayed lower SAS/SDS scores and reduced diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to the control group (P < .05). Moreover, nursing satisfaction in the observation group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < .05). The follow-up results demonstrated that the recovery quality of the observation group was higher compared to the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: Implementing a humanistic care-based nursing model effectively enhances the psychological well-being and recovery quality of trigeminal neuralgia outpatients attending pain clinics.

Transition to Virtual Care Services during COVID-19 at Canadian Pain Clinics: Survey and Future Recommendations.

Introduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare centers quickly adapted services into virtual formats. Pain clinics in Canada play a vital role in helping people living with pain, and these clinics remained essential services for patients throughout the pandemic. This study aimed to (1) describe and compare the transition from in-person to virtual pain care services at Canadian pain clinics during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) provide postpandemic recommendations for pain care services to optimize the quality of patient care. Materials and Methods: We used a qualitative participatory action study design that included a cross-sectional survey for data collection and descriptive analysis to summarize the findings. Survey responses were collected between January and March of 2021. The survey was administered to the leadership teams of 11 adult pain clinics affiliated with the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans. Responses were analyzed qualitatively to describe the transition to the virtual pain services at pain clinics. Results: We achieved a 100% response rate from participating clinics. The results focus on describing the transition to the virtual care, current treatment and services, the quality of care, program sustainability, barriers to maintaining virtual services, and future considerations. Conclusions: Participating clinics were capable of transitioning pain care services to the virtual formats and have in-person care when needed with proper safety precautions. The pandemic demonstrated that it is feasible and sustainable for pain clinics to have a hybrid of virtual and in-person care to treat those living with pain. It is recommended that moving forward, there should be a hybrid of both virtual and in-person care for pain clinics. Ministries of Health should continue to develop policies and funding mechanisms that support innovations aimed at holistic healthcare, interdisciplinary teams, and the expansion of clinics' geographical reach for patient access.

Evaluation of the Impacts of Reiki Touch Therapy on Patients Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia Who Are Followed in the Pain Clinic.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Reiki application on pain, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. The study was completed with a total of 50 patients: 25 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. Reiki was applied to the experimental group and sham Reiki to the control group once a week for 4 weeks. Data were collected from the participants using the Information Form, Visual Analog Scale, McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Short Form-36. There was a significant difference between the mean Visual Analog Scale pain scores during and before the first week (P = .012), second week (P = .002), and fourth week (P = .020) measurements of the individuals in the experimental and control groups, after application. In addition, at the end of the 4-week period, the State Anxiety Inventory (P = .005) and the Trait Anxiety Inventory (P = .003) were significantly decreased in the Reiki group compared with the control group. Physical function (P = .000), energy (P = .009), mental health (P = .018), and pain (P = .029) subdimension scores of quality of life in the Reiki group increased significantly compared with the control group. Reiki application to patients with fibromyalgia may have positive effects on reducing pain, improving quality of life, and reducing state and trait anxiety levels.

A Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Clinic: Integrated Health Psychology in a Specialty Care Setting.

Purpose: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a relatively common health problem, impacting around 25 million women globally. This study details the development of a multidisciplinary women's CPP clinic at a major U.S. academic medical center, and examines associations between mood, pain symptoms, and trauma history. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 96 subjects, including self-report measures (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Brief Trauma Questionnaire), pain intensity ratings, psychiatric diagnoses, and relevant medical history. Results: Most subjects reported at least one traumatic experience. Nearly half of subjects met criteria for an anxiety disorder and/or a depressive disorder. Most subjects were diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction, and more than half were referred to physical therapy. Women with abdominal/pelvic surgery history reported more traumatic experiences than women without surgical history. Women with a history of sexual abuse reported trying more medications and seeking care from a greater number of providers. Many reported pain duration of >2 years. Conclusions: Study findings related to mental health and trauma support a multidisciplinary CPP approach that includes a clinical health psychology component. Future research may investigate the therapeutic processes that apply to this population to identify targeted efficacious interventions.

Pilot Study on Music in the Waiting Room of Outpatient Pain Clinics.

BACKGROUND: This study explores live and recorded music listening in the outpatient pain clinic. There is evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of live and recorded music in a hospital setting but a comparison study of this kind has yet to be conducted. METHODS: A multimethod survey study design was used. A questionnaire utilizing rating scales was self-administered across two outpatient pain clinic waiting rooms. Patients were included through convenience sampling. In one clinic, a playlist of recorded music curated by two of the authors was provided. In the second clinic, a music therapy student played live music using guitar, flute, and voice. The questionnaire gathered data on music's impact on pain and emotional states, as well as attitudes toward music in the waiting room. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data, gathered in the questionnaires open ended question, was analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 200 adult patients. Patients reported lowered levels of anxiety, stress, and pain in both clinics, as well as a shorter waiting time and more caring experience. Patients in the live music clinic reported that music lowered levels of stress, nervousness, agitation, and pain more than in the recorded music clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in this study identified that music is a useful tool in the pain clinic waiting room. This study contributes to evidence that music should be considered as a complimentary treatment for people living with pain and in the wider hospital setting. Additional research is warranted with a control group, pre- and posttesting, and studies of music in hospitals in a range of cultural contexts.

[Use of complementary and alternative medicine in chronic pain : A survey among patients in a pain clinic]. / Anwendung von Komplementärmedizin bei chronischen Schmerzen : Eine Fragebogenerhebung unter Patienten einer Schmerztagesklinik.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain patients represent the population with the highest use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Current data on the usage, prescription and reasons for using CAM in Germany remain unclear and have not yet been published. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate details regarding interest and use as well as reasons for using CAM in chronic pain patients. METHODS: In all, 60 of 64 consecutive patients referred to the multimodal pain therapy program in a specialized day hospital participated in the study. In addition to the German Pain Questionnaire, patients answered a self-developed questionnaire on CAM use. CAM was defined according to the guidelines of the NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). RESULTS: The study showed that 96.7% of patients were interested in CAM and all 60 participants had used CAM to influence pain (3-26 different CAM modalities, median: 12). The most frequently used were massage (95%), acupuncture (73%), nutriceuticals and vitamin preparations (72% each). The success of the therapies was predominantly evaluated as short-lasting. CAM was often prescribed by a specialist (61.7%) or family doctor (60%). For most patients, the greatest motivation for using CAM was the desire to become active themselves (76.7%). Greater impairment due to pain was associated with increased use of biological CAM methods, while higher pain intensity was associated with decreased use of biological and alternative CAM methods. CONCLUSIONS: The high use of CAM in chronic pain patients highlights the need for physicians to have adequate medical knowledge about each CAM modality and to communicate competently with the patients about them.

Chronic Opioid Therapy in Cancer Survivors at a Specialty Oncology Pain Clinic: Opioid Dosing, Efficacy, and Safety During Five Years of Pain Management.

There are limited data regarding long-term safety and efficacy in cancer survivors receiving chronic opioid therapy. With conflicting recommendations on opioid-prescribing practices and lack of available outcome data, this study aimed to provide a longitudinal perspective on opioid prescribing in cancer survivors. A retrospective chart review at a comprehensive cancer care center pain clinic used data from pain clinic provider notes from 2013 to 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients in clinical remission not receiving active chemotherapy or immunotherapy and receiving opioids during the study period. Opioid dosing changes and outcomes between zero and five years were evaluated by standard statistical analysis. Thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Solid malignancies were more common than hematologic malignancies (72% vs. 28%). Common pain complaints were related to postsurgical changes (43%), postradiation (32%), and chemotherapy-induced pain syndromes (25%). There were no serious adverse events. One patient exhibited possible aberrant behavior. At the initial visit, the median morphine milligram equivalent per day (MME/day) was 130. Median MME/day at Year 0 (study start) and Year 5 was 135 and 159, respectively (P = 0.475). Functional status was satisfactory in 58% at Year 0 and increased to 91% of patients meeting their functional goals at Year 5. In a carefully monitored group of cancer survivors with persistent pain, chronic opioid therapy was safely managed during extended periods without significant opioid escalation or evidence of serious adverse events including aberrant behaviors. This population benefited when opioid therapy was managed with a focus on function rather than reduction of pain intensity scores.

Projeto ARTICULADOR: protocolo de atendimento psicoeducativo em manejo de dor baseado em hipnose ericksoniana e visualização guiada / ARTICULATOR Project: protocol of psychoeducational care in pain management based on ericksonian hypnosis and visualization guided

Introdução: A dor é uma experiência essencialmente subjetiva e multifatorial cujo manejo e o tratamento devem considerar os aspectos afetivos, sensoriais, autonômicos e comportamentais associados. Nessa perspectiva, a Área de Controle e Tratamento da Dor (ARDOR) do Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Jamil Andrade (INTO) identificou a necessidade de atualizar seu modus operandi mediante ao esgotamento do modelo assistencial vigente frente aos desafios da contemporaneidade. No rastro dessa mudança, os psicólogos atuantes na ARDOR são convidados a reinventar seu próprio modo de intervenção, articulando novas técnicas, processos e ações. Objetivos: O objetivo desta pesquisa é propor um novo protocolo assistencial em Saúde Mental na Clínica da Dor baseado na hipnose ericksoniana e na visualização guiada, associadas a práticas grupais e ações estratégicas de gerenciamento. O novo protocolo de atendimento está centrado em grupos psicoeducativos fechados, focais e breves, orientados para o manejo e enfrentamento da dor. Método: Buscou-se averiguar as evidências de eficácia da hipnose quanto ao manejo de dor através da elaboração de uma revisão sistemática da literatura e análise dos resultados obtidos de um estudo piloto com pacientes da clínica da dor. Ambos os estudos ­ teórico e prático ­ corroboraram para a elaboração do protocolo. Resultados: As evidências obtidas tanto na revisão sistemática quanto análise dos resultados do ensaio piloto apontaram a hipnose como sendo eficaz em pelo menos um aspecto no manejo da dor (redução da interferência, qualidade ou intensidade da dor). A catastrofização mostrou-se uma variável interveniente com um expressivo viés em alguns resultados, por isso foi incluída no protocolo. Conclusão: Enquanto práticas integrativas, a hipnose e a visualização guiada são técnicas eficazes no manejo da dor, sendo de fácil aplicação, podendo ser aprendida e transmitida adiante pelos pacientes. Este protocolo é passível de ser reproduzido em outras instituições. Recomenda-se que seja utilizado por profissional de saúde treinado e com experiência no trabalho com práticas integrativas

Introduction: Pain is an essentially subjective and multifactorial experience whose management and treatment must consider the associated affective, sensory, autonomic and behavioral aspects. In this perspective, the Pain Control and Treatment Area (ARDOR) of National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics Jamil Andrade (INTO) identified the need to update its modus operandi by exhausting the current care model in the face of contemporary challenges. In the wake of this change, the psychologists working at ARDOR are invited to reinvent their own way of intervention, articulating new techniques, processes and actions. Objectives: The objective of this research is to propose a new mental health care protocol at Clínica da Dor based on Ericksonian hypnosis and guided visualization, associated with group practices and strategic management actions. The new care protocol is centered on closed, focal and brief psychoeducational groups, oriented to the management and coping of pain. Method: We sought to investigate the evidence of the effectiveness of hypnosis in pain management through the development of a systematic review of the literature and analysis of the results obtained from a pilot study with patients in the pain clinic. Both studies - theoretical and practical - supported the preparation of the protocol. Results: The evidence obtained both in the systematic review and analysis of the results of the pilot project pointed out hypnosis as being effective in at least one aspect in pain management (reduction of interference, quality or intensity of pain). Catastrophization proved to be an intervening variable with a significant bias in some results, so it was included in the protocol. Conclusion: As an integrative practice, hypnosis and guided visualization are effective techniques for pain management, being easy to apply and can be learned and transmitted by patients. This protocol is capable of being reproduced in other institutions. it is recommended to be used by a trained health professional with experience working with integrative practices

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Nonpharmacologic, Noninvasive Treatments.

Chronic low back pain, neck pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia are the most common types of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Because no individual therapy has consistent benefit, a multimodal treatment approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain is recommended. Many nonpharmacologic, noninvasive treatment approaches yield small to moderate improvement and can be used with pharmacologic or more invasive modalities. Systematic reviews and guidelines support the effectiveness of various forms of exercise in improving pain and function in patients with chronic pain. Cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness techniques appear to be effective for small to moderate short- and long-term improvement of chronic low back pain. Cognitive behavior therapy may also be effective for small short- and intermediate-term improvement of fibromyalgia. Spinal manipulation leads to a small benefit for chronic neck and low back pain. Acupuncture has a small to moderate benefit for low back pain and small benefit for nonpain fibromyalgia symptoms. Massage or myofascial release yields a small improvement in low back pain, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Low reactive level laser therapy may provide short-term relief of chronic neck and low back pain, and ultrasound may provide short-term pain relief for knee osteoarthritis. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation may be effective for short- and at least intermediate-term improvement in pain and function for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia. Patients should be encouraged to engage in a variety of therapies aligned with their preferences and motivation.

Food Habits, Stressors, and Use of Complementary Medicine Therapies Among Pediatric Patients Who Attend an Integrative Medicine Pediatric Pain Clinic.

Purpose: Chronic pain is a growing problem among children and adolescents, and is more prevalent in low-income families. This observational study was conducted to describe the demographics and various descriptors, complementary medicine therapy (CMT) use, and lifestyle factors (i.e., food habits and supplement use) of pediatric patients with chronic pain. Methods: Boston Medical Center's Interdisciplinary Pediatric Pain Clinic provides patient education and unique treatment plans, tailored with medical and nonpharmacologic interventions for managing complex and chronic pain. Patient data were obtained through electronic medical chart review and self-reported surveys, and were completed by participants and parents at enrollment. Results: Of the 83 participants, the average age was 15.4 ± 4.3, and 80% were female. Referrals to the clinic were due to abdominal pain (52%), headache (23%), and musculoskeletal or other pain (25%). Thirty-one percent were on food assistance programs, with only 24% of patients currently using CMTs and 85% using pain medications. More than half of all participants (63%) missed up to 5 days of school in the past year, while 26% missed more than 6 days. School or academics (77%) were the most frequently self-reported stressor, followed by social/peer issues (39%), bullying (18%), and parental stress (18%). A very small proportion of patients had sufficient intake of dairy (12%), water (23%), vegetables (1%), and fruits (22%). Conclusion: Chronic pain can significantly affect lifestyle factors, stress, and child development. Patients evaluated at the clinic had poor diets and report having stressors regarding school, social/peer issues, parental stress, and bullying.

Incorporating integrative medicine and patient preferences into a pilot interdisciplinary sickle cell wellness clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that includes acute pain episodes and chronic pain that can dramatically impact quality of life and goal-achievement. Our staff had limited success in connecting families with the Pain, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine Clinic (PPCIM) to receive specialized skills for pain management. We created a partnership between Hematology and PPCIM to provide SCD patients/families with needed resources. DESIGN/SETTING: In 2016, key stakeholders collaborated to create a Sickle Cell Wellness Clinic (SCWC) clinic to provide families access to integrative medicine and wellness strategies. Design/structure, based on family focus group data and staff expertise, included a half-day, 7-discipline clinic housed in the PPCIM space. Patients with SCD, ages 8-20, learned strategies in an effort to improve health care utilization and increase overall quality of life. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/RESULTS: Feedback from two successful pilot clinics in 2017 was incorporated into the formal roll-out of SCWC in 2018. SCWCs continued monthly for one year, serving a total of 20 families post-pilot. SCD patients increased follow-up appointment engagement in the PPCIM clinic following SCWC and reported high levels of satisfaction with their healthcare experience. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to run a multidisciplinary clinic focused on pain management, coping skills, and healthy living with SCD. Providers benefited from the opportunity to collaborate with other disciplines. Patient and family feedback was positive, highlighted benefits of being introduced to new modalities, and reported advantages of meeting other patients/families in a new setting.

The Long-Term Outcome of 3-Dimensional CT-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Tumor-Related Trigeminal Neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRFT) has been widely used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. By querying MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, no study has reported the long-term outcome of PRFT for tumor-related trigeminal neuralgia (TRTN). OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of PRFT as an alternative treatment for TRTN. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: The interventional pain management center in Beijing Tiantan hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of all patients who underwent PRFT applied to the Gasserian ganglion under computed tomography guidance for TRTN through a combination of available institutional electronic medical records, patient notes, and radiologic images. RESULTS: Among 38 patients with PRFT treated between March 2007 and February 2018, 13 patients were men and 25 were women. All patients were evaluated as modified Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) IV-V before the operation and had a total symptom duration of 45.55 ± 23.31 months. The mean operation duration was 59.63 ± 16.89 minutes. All patients experienced satisfactory pain relief defined as a classification of BNI I-IIIb within 3 days after PRFT. The median remission length with satisfactory pain relief was 33 (range, 4-132) months. No serious intraoperative complications, except bradycardia in 6 patients, were recorded. Postprocedure complications, including masticatory muscle weakness, were reported in 5 patients. Although all 38 patients experienced facial dysesthesia, the patients' Likert scale rating represented that quality of life significantly increased after the procedure. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size may have unavoidably caused selection bias in our study. Larger prospective, randomized, multicenter trials are necessary to validate our outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PRFT is an effective and safe treatment that should be considered as an alternative for pain control in the treatment of TRTN. KEY WORDS: Pain, secondary trigeminal neuralgia, radiofrequency thermocoagulation, trigeminal neuralgia.

Evaluation of clinical outcomes in an interdisciplinary abdominal pain clinic: A retrospective, exploratory review.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common and well-accepted to be etiologically complex in terms of the contribution of biological, psychological, and social factors to symptom presentations. Nonetheless, despite its documented benefits, interdisciplinary treatment, designed to address all of these factors, for pediatric FGIDs remains rare. The current study hypothesized that the majority of pediatric patients seen in an interdisciplinary abdominal pain clinic (APC) would demonstrate clinical resolution of symptoms during the study period and that specific psychosocial variables would be significantly predictive of GI symptom improvement. AIM: To evaluate outcomes with interdisciplinary treatment in pediatric patients with pain-related FGIDs and identify patient characteristics that predicted clinical outcomes. METHODS: Participants were 392 children, ages 8-18 [M = 13.8; standard deviation (SD) = 2.7], seen between August 1, 2013 and June 15, 2016 in an interdisciplinary APC housed within the Division of Gastroenterology in a medium-sized Midwestern children's hospital. To be eligible, patients had to be 8 years of age or older and have had abdominal pain for ≥ 8 wk at the time of initial evaluation. Medical and psychosocial data collected as part of standard of care were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed in the context of the observational study. Logistic regression was used to model odds of reporting vs never reporting improvement, as well as to differentiate rapid from slower improvers. RESULTS: Nearly 70% of patients followed during the study period achieved resolution on at least one of the employed outcome indices. Among those who achieved resolution during follow up, 43% to 49% did so by the first follow up (i.e., within roughly 2 mo after initial evaluation and initiation of interdisciplinary treatment). Patient age, sleep, ease of relaxation, and depression all significantly predicted the likelihood of resolution. More specifically, the odds of clinical resolution were 14% to 16% lower per additional year of patient age (P < 0.001 to P = 0.016). The odds of resolution were 28% to 42% lower per 1-standard deviation (SD) increase on a pediatric sleep measure (P = 0.006 to P < 0.040). Additionally, odds of clinical resolution were 58% lower per 1-SD increase on parent-reported measure of depression (P = 0.006), and doubled in cases where parents agreed that their children found it easy to relax (P = 0.045). Furthermore, sleep predicted the rapidity of clinical resolution; that is, the odds of achieving resolution by the first follow up visit were 47% to 60% lower per 1-SD increase on the pediatric sleep measure (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Outcomes for youth with FGIDs may be significantly improved by paying specific attention to sleep, ensuring adequate skills for relaxation, and screening of and referral for treatment of comorbid depression.

Oh Schmerz lass nach - ein kurzer Report der ersten Ergebnisse unserer interdisziplinären, integrativen, gynäkologischen Schmerzsprechstunde.

Einleitung: Trotz immer besserer medizinischer und operativer Therapiemaßnahmen bleibt eine adäquate Schmerztherapie für viele gynäkologische Krankheitsbilder eine He-rausforderung. Neue patientenfokussierte Testsysteme können dabei zur Verlaufsbeurteilung und Therapieoptimierung beitragen. Ziel war es, die Pilot-Ergebnisse unserer, in Deutschland einmaligen, interdisziplinären, universitär geführten, integrativen Schmerzsprechstunde anhand neu-ester patientenfokussierter Testsysteme auszuwerten und zur weitergehenden interkollegialen Diskussion vorzustellen. Materialien und Methoden: Retrospektive, monozentrische Analyse der Behandlungsverläufe von Patientinnen einer neuen integrativen und interdisziplinären, gynäkologischen Schmerzsprechstunde mittels patientenfokussiertem Testsystem (PROMIS-29). Ergebnisse: Insgesamt konn-ten die Ergebnisse von 18 Patientinnen analysiert werden. Zur Nachuntersuchung zeigten sich signifikante Verbesserungen in allen Domänen des PROMIS-29. Schlussfolgerung: Die vorgestellte interdisziplinäre, integrative Schmerz-sprechstunde unter Zuhilfenahme patientenfokussierter Testsysteme kann relevante Schmerzdomänen erfassen und erfolgreich therapieren. Weitere Untersuchungen müssen diese neue Art der Verlaufsbeobachtung und gynäkologisch fokussierter Schmerzbehandlung nun mit längeren Nach-sorgeintervallen bestätigen.

The Benefits of Reflexology for the Chronic Pain Patient in a Military Pain Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a major cause of disability across the military, especially for the combat Soldier. More than twothirds of Americans with chronic pain are now using complementary medicine. METHODS: Patients with chronic pain opting for reflexology as part of their treatment plan received bilateral therapy. Alternating pressure was applied to the individual patient's reflex points corresponding to their pain sites. Following a single treatment session, patients were asked to complete a short survey. DISCUSSION: There is evidence that reflexology is therapeutic for many conditions, to include sleep and anxiety, both of which can be comorbidity in the patient with chronic pain. There is a lack of evidence on the use of reflexology with chronic pain patients receiving multidisciplinary pain care. RESULTS: A total of 311 participants completed the survey. Posttreatment pain scored decreased by a median of 2 points (interquartile range [IQR] 1-3) on a 10-point pain scale. This represents a median 43% (IQR 25%-60%) reduction in pain for males and a 41% (IQR 30%-60%) reduction in pain for females. CONCLUSION: Currently research is limited on effects of reflexology in treating chronic pain, yet, like acupuncture, this is an inexpensive, reliable, teachable, and simple noninvasive treatment. Further studies are warranted.

Efectividad de la acupuntura con microsistema de cara como tratamiento de pacientes con cefalea migrañosa / Effectiveness of Acupuncture with a Facial Microsystem as a Treatment for Patients with Migraine Headache

RESUMEN Introducción: La cefalea es uno de los trastornos más comunes del sistema nervioso en todo el mundo, frecuentemente es signo de otras enfermedades. Mientras la medicina occidental trata los síntomas con medicamentos, los médicos alternativos tratan la causa con acupuntura para proporcionar alivio duradero. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la acupuntura con microsistema de cara como tratamiento de pacientes con cefalea migrañosa. Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo casos-controles con 100 pacientes que asistieron a la Clínica del Dolor del Hospital "Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo", en Santiago de Cuba, con diagnóstico de cefalea migrañosa, desde enero de 2014 a noviembre de 2015. Al grupo estudio se aplicó acupuntura con microsistema de cara; al grupo control, medicamentos. La información se obtuvo de las historias clínicas, el dolor se valoró con la escala analógica visual del dolor. Se aplicó Ji cuadrado de homogeneidad para la identificar diferencias significativas entre las proporciones de efectividad de uno y otro tratamiento, con un nivel de significación (α;= 0,05). Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (70,00 por ciento), el grupo etareo 18-39 años, de ellos 40 en el grupo estudio (80,00 por ciento), 43 en el control (86,00 por ciento). En el grupo estudio el 82,00 por ciento de los pacientes quedó sin dolor desde la primera sesión del tratamiento, el 18,00 por ciento con dolor disminuido. Al final del tratamiento el 98,00 por ciento del grupo estudio quedó sin dolor contra el 96,00 por ciento del grupo control. Conclusión: La acupuntura con microsistema de cara es un método alternativo efectivo en el tratamiento de la cefalea migrañosa(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Headache is one of the most common nervous system disorders worldwide. It is frequently a sign of other diseases. While Western medicine treats symptoms with medications, alternative practitioners treat the cause with acupuncture to provide long-lasting relief. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture with a facial microsystem as a treatment for patients with migraine headache. Methods: Quasiexperimental case-control study with 100 patients who attended the Pain Clinic at Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Portuondo Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, with a diagnosis of migraine headache, from January 2014 to November 2015. The study group was applied acupuncture with a facial microsystem. The control group was treated with medicines. The information was obtained from the medical records. The pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Chi-square test of homogeneity was applied in order to identify significant differences between the proportions of effectiveness of one treatment and another, with a level of significance α =0.05. Results: There was predominance of the female sex (70.00 percent), age group 18-39 years, among them 40 in the study group (80.00 percent) and 43 in the control group (86.00 percent). In the study group, 82.00 percent of patients remained without pain from the first session of treatment and 18.00 percent with pain decreased. At the end of the treatment, 98.00 percent of the study group remained without pain in opposition to 96.00 percent of the control group. Conclusion: Acupuncture with a facial microsystem is an effective alternative method in the treatment of migraine headache(AU)