Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neuroinflammation 2020 May 23;17(1):162. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, 310053, China.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) is a progressive and devastating pain condition. The mechanisms of CRPS-I still remain poorly understood. We aim to explore expression profiles of genes relevant to pain and neuroinflammation mechanisms involved in CRPS-I. Read More

Bone 2020 May 20:115443. Epub 2020 May 20.

Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

The anti-resorptive properties of bisphosphonates have been explored to manage several conditions that traditionally have required a surgical solution. In osteonecrosis, their use is predicated on the principle that bone collapse occurs during the revascularisation phase of the disease. If the associated resorptive activity were modulated, the resultant preserved joint architecture may improve clinical outcome and reduce the need for joint replacement. Read More

Eur J Pain 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Institute of Pain Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.

Background: Precise cannabis treatment dosing remains a major challenge, leading to physicians' reluctance to prescribe medical cannabis.

Objective: To test the pharmacokinetics, analgesic effect, cognitive performance, and safety effects of an innovative medical device that enables the delivery of inhaled therapeutic doses of Δ -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in patients with chronic pain.

Methods: In a randomized, 3-arms, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, 27 patients received a single inhalation of Δ -THC: 0. Read More

J Pain Res 2020 6;13:971-977. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Occupational Therapy, International Univesrity of Health and Welfare, Okawa,Fukuoka, Japan.

A woman in her thirties developed complex regional pain syndrome in her left shoulder due to a traffic accident. She demonstrated autonomic nervous symptoms (swelling, sweating, and skin color asymmetry) in her left hand, severe allodynia, neglect-like symptoms (NLS), impaired body image associated with impaired body awareness, and functional impairment of the left shoulder and elbow. She also reported physical self-disgust toward her affected limb, describing it as "reptilian," as well as aversion to touching others; this body awareness exacerbated her pain and NLS. Read More

Neuroimage 2020 May 11;217:116902. Epub 2020 May 11.

Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Center for Neuroprosthetics & Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Whereas impaired multisensory processing of bodily stimuli and distorted body representation are well-established in various chronic pain disorders, such research has focused on exteroceptive bodily cues and neglected bodily signals from the inside of the body (or interoceptive signals). Extending existing basic and clinical research, we investigated for the first time interoception and its neurophysiological correlates in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In three different experiments, including a total of 36 patients with CRPS and 42 aged-gender matched healthy controls, we measured interoceptive sensitivity (heart beat counting task, HBC) and neural responses to heartbeats (heartbeat evoked potentials, HEPs). Read More

J Pain Res 2020 30;13:873-875. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Chronic pain affects roughly 50 million Americans, or 20.4% of the national population, and is a huge economic burden on society. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a cost-effective interventional treatment modality for patients with chronic neuropathic and radicular pain. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 14;12(5):e8119. Epub 2020 May 14.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, TWN.

Bone marrow edema secondary to chronic pain syndrome after knee trauma is a disabling condition that presents with localized pain, allodynia, edema, decreased range of motion and osteopenia. The management includes a variety of medications and rehabilitation. The treatment of refractory diseases is challenging for most physicians. Read More

Brain Behav Immun 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasture Drive, Stanford, CA 94304, United States. Electronic address:

Emerging evidence suggests that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is in part a post-traumatic autoimmune disease mediated by an adaptive immune response after limb injuries. We previously observed in a murine tibial fracture model of CRPS that pain-related behaviors were dependent upon adaptive immune mechanisms including the neuropeptide-dependent production of IgM for 5 months after injury. However, the time course of induction of this immune response and the demonstration of germinal center formation in lymphoid organs has not been evaluated. Read More

Brain Cogn 2020 May 11;142:105568. Epub 2020 May 11.

Laboratory EMC (EA 3082), Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 2, 69676 Bron, France. Electronic address:

Distortions of body representation have been reported in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The perception of sensations arising without external triggers (spontaneous sensations or SPS) was assessed here as a means of investigating distortions of body representation and awareness in CRPS. To avoid confounds between CRPS symptoms and SPS, lower-limb CRPS patients were included, whereas SPS were tested on the hands. Read More

Behav Neurol 2020 14;2020:4561831. Epub 2020 Jan 14.

Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Claverton Down Road, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a poorly understood chronic pain condition of multifactorial origin. CRPS involves sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms primarily affecting one extremity. Patients can also present with neuropsychological changes such as reduced attention to the CRPS-affected extremity, reminiscent of hemispatial neglect, yet in the absence of any brain lesions. Read More

Value Health 2020 May 20;23(5):656-665. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Institute of Health and Well Being, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK; College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, England, UK.

Objectives: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a recognized treatment for chronic pain. This systematic review aims to assess economic evaluations of SCS for the management of all chronic pain conditions, summarize key findings, and assess the quality of studies to inform healthcare resource allocation decisions and future research.

Methods: Economic evaluations were identified by searching general medical and economic databases complemented with screening of reference lists of identified studies. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2020 May;16(692):885-889

Service de neurologie, Hôpital du Valais - Sion, Avenue du Grand-Champsec 80, 1950, Sion.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) proposed the current diagnostic description of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for the distinct and complex chronic pain condition in 1994. Since this classification, studies on the syndrome have led to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, epidemiology and therapeutic approaches. F. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2020 May 4;20(1):105. Epub 2020 May 4.

Center for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: We systematically reviewed the evidence on the efficacy and safety of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) targeted pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) versus any comparator for treatment of non-neuropathic pain.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov and WHO clinical trial register until January 8, 2019. Read More

Pain Res Manag 2020 11;2020:7697214. Epub 2020 Apr 11.

MAGI's Lab, Via delle Maioliche. 57/D, 38068 Rovereto, TN, Italy.

The purpose of this review is to summarize the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the underlying molecular mechanisms, and potential treatment options for its management. CRPS is a multifactorial pain condition. CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and changes in skin color and temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area, and is generally caused by stimuli that lead to tissue damage. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Apr 23. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

The thoracic sympathetic chain is implicated in several disease processes including palmar hyperhidrosis and complex regional pain syndrome. These diseases are often medically refractory and require surgical treatments including sympathectomies and ganglion blocks. The use of chemogenetic or optogenetic technologies to modulate sympathetic chain activity may be a potential treatment for these diseases. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Apr;99(17):e19898

Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Lidocaine, as the only local anesthetic approved for intravenous administration in the clinic, can relieve neuropathic pain, hyperalgesia, and complex regional pain syndrome. Intravenous injection of lidocaine during surgery is considered as an effective strategy to control postoperative pain, but the mechanism of its analgesic effect has not been fully elucidated. This paper intends to review recent studies on the mechanism of the analgesic effect of lidocaine. Read More

Mol Genet Metab 2020 Jun 3;130(2):118-132. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. Electronic address:

Leigh Syndrome (LS) is a mitochondrial disorder defined by progressive focal neurodegenerative lesions in specific regions of the brain. Defects in NDUFS4, a subunit of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, cause LS in humans; the Ndufs4 knockout mouse (Ndufs4(KO)) closely resembles the human disease. Here, we probed brain region-specific molecular signatures in pre-symptomatic Ndufs4(KO) to identify factors which underlie focal neurodegeneration. Read More

Brain Behav Immun 2020 Apr 18. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina (Unesc), 88006-000 Criciúma (SC), Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900 Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. Electronic address:

Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) is characterized by intractable chronic pain. Poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms of CRPS-I accounts for the current unsatisfactory treatment. Antioxidants and antagonists of the oxidative stress-sensitive channel, the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), have been found to attenuate acute nociception and delayed allodynia in models of CRPS-I, evoked by ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) of rodent hind limb (chronic post ischemia pain, CPIP). Read More

Pain Pract 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

The Spine & Pain Institute of New York, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Background: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) has emerged as a treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the lower extremities, and recent small studies are demonstrating its potential efficacy in pain syndromes that are traditionally considered nociceptive in nature, such as axial low back pain. While improvements in neuromodulation technology have been substantial over the past decade, with DRG-S systems patients occasionally require additional interventional pain treatments for treatment of pain from other sources. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of medial branch nerves innervating the facet joints is an accepted therapy for pain arising from the facet joints. Read More

Knee 2020 Apr 15. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA; Central DuPage Hospital, Northwestern University, Winfield, IL, USA.

Background: Painful knee after arthroplasty concerns up to 21% of patients at six months. We aimed to evaluate: the application of a decision tree to explain painful knee after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the rate of unexplained pain after complete algorithmic screening. The aim of the study was to evaluate the causes of painful TKA. Read More

JBJS Rev 2020 Apr;8(4):e0174

Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.

Neuromodulation 2020 Apr 13. Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster, Lancaster, PA, USA.

Introduction: The location of the sacral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is variable and can range from a location in the canal to the foramen. It is therefore imperative to not only ensure a dorsal placement but also map the location of the DRG.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective analysis of the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) being utilized in asleep patients to map the location of the S1 DRG with somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and electromyogram (EMG) thresholds, as well as comparing this with postoperative programming. Read More

PeerJ 2020 2;8:e8819. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) report cognitive difficulties, affecting the ability to represent, perceive and use their affected limb. Moseley, Gallace & Spence (2009) observed that CRPS patients tend to bias the perception of tactile stimulation away from the pathological limb. Interestingly, this bias was reversed when CRPS patients were asked to cross their arms, implying that this bias is embedded in a complex representation of the body that takes into account the position of body-parts. Read More

J Wrist Surg 2020 Apr 8;9(2):177-184. Epub 2019 Aug 8.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University and the Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 External fixation and dorsal bridge plating are wrist spanning fixation options for distal radius fractures; however, their comparative effectiveness is not well understood. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes between these two techniques.  A PubMed database query of all distal radius fracture cases managed with spanning external fixation or dorsal bridge plating was performed. Read More

Pain Pract 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Pain Center, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.

Background: Evaluating the effectiveness of stellate ganglion blockades (SGBs) proves challenging, since the criteria defining a successful blockade are controversial. This may be one reason for the scarcity of studies on this topic, thus forcing clinical guidelines to remain conservative in recommending SGBs. Moreover, factors to predict which patients will benefit from blockade series are not yet available. Read More

Cortex 2020 Jun 13;127:248-268. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, UK; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.

There is some evidence that people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) show reduced attention to the affected relative to unaffected limb and its surrounding space, resembling hemispatial neglect after brain injury. These neuropsychological symptoms could be related to central mechanisms of pathological pain and contribute to its clinical manifestation. However, the existing evidence of changes in spatial cognition is limited and often inconsistent. Read More

Clin J Pain 2020 Apr 1. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a method that objectively measures the clinical benefits of ketamine infusions to treat complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), thus making it possible, for the first time, to determine the optimal dosing of ketamine and duration of treatment to treat CRPS.

Methods: All patients were diagnosed with hyperalgesia associated with CRPS. Patients underwent an outpatient, 4-day, escalating dose ketamine infusion. Read More

Rev Prat 2019 Nov;69(9):952-954

Unité mobile de soins palliatifs, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Curr Osteoporos Rep 2020 Mar 31. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Hughston Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose is to review current literature on pain management strategies from initial presentation to postoperative care on common fracture types.

Recent Findings: - Hip fractures benefit from use of multimodal pain control for early mobility and decreased narcotic requirement. - Distal radius fracture pain during reduction can be managed with hematoma block. Read More

Korean J Pain 2020 Apr;33(2):131-137

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Among various diseases that accompany pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is one of the most frustrating for patients and physicians. Recently, many studies have shown functional and anatomical abnormalities in the brains of patients with CRPS. The calcium-related signaling pathway is important in various physiologic processes calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-calmodulin kinase 2 (CaMK2). Read More

Korean J Pain 2020 Apr;33(2):99-107

Pain Management Clinic, Moscow City Clinical Hospital #52, Moscow, Russia.

Chronic severe pain results in a detrimental effect on the patient's quality of life. Such patients have to take a large number of medications, including opioids, often without satisfactory effect, sometimes leading to medication abuse and the pain worsening. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the most effective technologies that, unlike other interventional pain treatment methods, achieves long-term results in patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. Read More

Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020 Mar 28. Epub 2020 Mar 28.

Laboratory of Autoimmunity and Immunopharmacology, Department of Health Sciences, Campus Araranguá, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá, SC, 88906-072, Brazil.

Complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) is a chronic painful condition resulting from trauma. Bradykinin (BK) is an important inflammatory mediator required in acute and chronic pain response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between BK receptors (B and B) and chronic post-ischaemia pain (CPIP) development in mice, a widely accepted CRPS-I model. Read More

Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2020 Mar 24. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Shupik' National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastric pathologies. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the healing effects of mineral waters (MW).

Methods: 90 patients with GERD were under observation. Read More

Pain Physician 2020 03;23(2):229-233

Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Background: Existing therapies for myofascial and neuralgic forms of cervicobrachial pain may have unsatisfactory outcomes. Alternative therapies may be considered, particularly for individuals who have failed to respond. Contemporary conceptualizations of chronic pain mechanisms include the contribution of inflammatory factors; therefore, locally targeted antiinflammatory administrations may play a role in treatment of cervicobrachial pain. Read More

Lasers Surg Med 2020 Mar 22. Epub 2020 Mar 22.

Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina (LARAL/UFSC), Rua Pedro João Pereira, 150, Araranguá, Santa Catarina, CEP 88905-120, Brazil.

Background And Objectives: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is defined as an extreme and chronic pain condition, and photobiomodulation has relevance as a complementary treatment for CRPS. The objective of this study was to verify the effects of photobiomodulation (PBMT) therapy protocols at two wavelengths 660 and 830 nm, associated or not to nicotine in complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I).

Study Design/materials And Methods: Sixty-four Swiss mice were divided into the following groups: (i) Naive, (ii) Sham, (iii) Control, (iv) 660 nm, (v) 830 nm, (vii) Nicotine, (vii) Nicotine/660 nm, and (viii) Nicotine/830 nm. Read More

Pain Pract 2020 Mar 19. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

Background: In the pediatric population, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating chronic pain syndrome that is classically treated with escalating polypharmacy and physical therapy. Failure of therapy is often encountered in both adult and pediatric patients with CRPS, after which invasive neuromodulatory therapy might be considered. Intrathecal drug delivery systems and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have been reported in the literature as forms of neuromodulation effective in adult CRPS; however, SCS remains inadequately researched and underreported in the pediatric CRPS population. Read More

Eur J Pain 2020 Mar 18. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Centre for Decision Analysis and Support, Ismar Healthcare, Lier, Belgium.

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for chronic neuropathic, neuropathic-like and ischaemic pain. However, the heterogeneity of patients in daily clinical practice makes it often challenging to determine which patients are eligible for this treatment, resulting in undesirable practice variations. This study aimed to establish patient-specific recommendations for referral and selection of SCS in chronic pain. Read More

Pain 2020 Mar 13. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Department of Anatomy, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.

Physical disuse could lead to a state of chronic pain typified by complex regional pain syndrome type I due to fear of pain through movement (kinesiophobia) or inappropriate resting procedures. However, the mechanisms by which physical disuse is associated with acute/chronic pain and other pathological signs remain unresolved. We have previously reported that inflammatory signs, contractures, disuse muscle atrophy, spontaneous pain-like behaviors, and chronic widespread mechanical hyperalgesia based on central plasticity occurred after 2-weeks of cast immobilization in chronic post-cast pain (CPCP) rat model. Read More

Mediterr J Rheumatol 2019 Mar 28;30(1):16-25. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a perplexing painful syndrome of the extremities usually following a harmful event. It is distinguished in two types, mainly depending on the presence of nerve injury. Although its prevalence may vary depending on social and ethnic factors, middle-aged women seem to suffer most often and the upper limb is the most commonly affected extremity. Read More

Pain Res Manag 2020 25;2020:8182569. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

University of British Columbia, Island Medical Program, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate prednisone effectiveness on complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) features in a community-based outpatient rehabilitation setting.

Design: A single-centre, retrospective inception cohort design was used. Inclusion criteria were CRPS diagnosis according to the Budapest criteria, involvement of multiple joints, treatment with prednisone, and duration of symptoms less than one year. Read More

J Pain Res 2020 2;13:467-473. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

Research Center on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.

Purpose: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare neuropathic pain condition characterized by sensory, motor and autonomic alterations. Previous investigations have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can alleviate pain in various populations, and that a combination of these treatments could provide greater hypoalgesic effects. In the present case report, we describe the effect of tDCS and TENS treatment on pain intensity and unpleasantness in a patient suffering from chronic CRPS. Read More

Ann Afr Med 2020 Jan-Mar;19(1):68-70

Department of Orthopedics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare neuropathic pain disorder associated with severe pain, muscle weakness, limb edema and hyperhidrosis. Predisposing factors include fracture, surgery, stroke and spinal cord injury. CRPS may recur in the same limb or spread to other limbs to complicate management. Read More

Clin Immunol 2020 May 17;214:108384. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and silicone implant incompatibility syndrome are a subject of debate among clinicians and researchers. Both the pathogenesis and treatment of these disorders require further study. In this paper we summarize the evidence regarding the role of autoimmunity in these four syndromes with respect to immunogenetics, autoimmune co-morbidities, alteration in immune cell subsets, production of autoantibodies and presentation in animal models. Read More

J Prim Health Care 2019 Sep;11(3):283-287

Otago Medical School, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; and Corresponding author. Email:

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a relatively common condition that is often not well recognised or treated adequately. Patients are usually referred to multidisciplinary pain services, but outcomes remain variable. This case report describes a recent patient with CRPS who was treated quickly and effectively through a simple explanation of the relationship between mind and body, and who then was able to modify her own thought processes and behaviours. Read More

Neuromodulation 2020 Mar 11. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be effectively treated with spinal cord stimulation (t-SCS). There is also evidence that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation may be superior to t-SCS in CRPS. However, there has been no published data, to our knowledge, that looked at the concurrent use of t-SCS and DRG stimulation for treatment of CRPS. Read More

Neuromodulation 2020 Mar 9. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Anesthesia Pain Care Consultants, Tamarac, FL, USA.

Objectives: ACCURATE, a randomized controlled trial, compared safety and effectiveness of stimulation of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) vs. conventional spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS-I and II) of the lower extremities. This analysis compares cost-effectiveness of three modalities of treatment for CRPS, namely DRG stimulation, SCS, and comprehensive medical management (CMM). Read More

Physiother Theory Pract 2020 Mar 9:1-10. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Inpatient Therapy Department, Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, NY, USA.

: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) presents with acute peripheral neuropathy leading to ascending motor and sensory deficits. Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), a GBS variant, is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. In unusual cases, MFS and GBS overlap. Read More

Heliyon 2020 Feb 19;6(2):e03329. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Department of Medicine and Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition of neuropathic pain, which is characterized by significant autonomic and inflammatory features. CRPS occurs in patients who have limb surgery, limb fractures, or trauma. Many patients may have pain resolve within twelve months of the inciting incident; however, a small subset progresses to the chronic form. Read More

J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020 Mar 7. Epub 2020 Mar 7.

Movement Disorders Section, Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Apart from the known efficacy of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT/A) in hyperactive striated and smooth muscles, different pain states have become potential targets of toxin effects. This present study determined the comparative toxin effectiveness in pain reduction among those patients injected with BoNT/A in muscle-based and in non-muscle-based conditions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of BoNT/A on selected pain conditions were included. Read More

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2020 Feb;45(2):152-6

Institute of Chinese Medicine History and Literature, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700.

Objective: To observe the effect contralateral needling of in improving pain, edema and limb dysfunction in stroke patients with shoulder-hand syndrome.

Methods: A total of 62 patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were divided into a control group and an observation group, 31 cases in each one. The routine treatment with internal medicine and rehabilitation manipulation was adopted in the two groups. Read More