Objective:To verify the association between the level of comfort of the caregiver and socio-demographic variables related to caregiving, and the patient’s functional status and symptoms. Method:Cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic intentional sample. The instruments Palliative Performance Scale (score 0 to 100%), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (symptom scores from zero to ten) and Holistic Comfort Questionnaire (total score ranging from 49 to 294 and mean score from 1 to 6) were used. The relationship between comfort scores and independent variables was calculated by multiple linear regression. Results:Fifty informal caregivers participated in the study - 80% were female, 32% were 60 years old or older, 36% were children of the patient, 58% had paid work and 60% did not have help in the care. The mean overall comfort was 4.52 points. A better functional status of the patients was associated with higher levels of comfort of the caregivers. Older caregivers who received helped in the care activities presented higher comfort scores. Conclusion:The level of comfort of caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative care was associated with socio-demographic variables and patients’ functional status and symptoms.

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Methadone administration for outpatient was noninferior to morphine as analgesic on chronic pain. In addition, it was associated with lesser side effects.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of a portable, disposable, and home self‐applied transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device during migraine attacks. Background TENS has been used as a noninvasive treatment for migraine, but there are no reports on the outcomes following use of this treatment option for use at home during migraine attacks. Design and Methods A double‐blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted over 3 months, with monthly assessments. Active placebos (sham group) were in place and were allocated at a 1:1 ratio. Adult patients who had been diagnosed with migraine by a specialist were included. Pain intensity levels and functional disability were measured before and after the 20‐min self‐applied TENS intervention during the migraine attacks. Results Seventy‐four participants were randomly allocated to the sham and intervention groups. Although both groups of subjects reported lower pain scores, the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in pain scores compared to the sham group. Conclusion In our controlled trial, the use of a self‐applied, TENS device is safe and effective in relieving pain associated with migraine attacks. Participants in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in pain and functional disability scores. TENS has been used as a noninvasive treatment for migraine, but there are no reports on the outcomes following use of this treatment option for use at home during migraine attacks. This double‐blind, randomized controlled trial had 2 groups: active‐placebo and intervention. Seventy‐four participants were randomly allocated. Participants in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in pain and functional disability scores.

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