Human subjects could discriminate two separate components of pain during the submaximal effort tourniquet test. Since the effect of several test parameters was different on these two pain components it is suggested that attention would be paid to the discrimination of these pain components in the future studies with this methodology.
Words related to pain were collected by asking 59 students and 18 patients to create a list by free association. Each subject was then given a dictionary-derived Finnish version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) with the words arranged in alphabetical order and was asked to place his own words among the dictionary-derive words which appeared most appropriate. Simultaneously, each word was allocated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) in order of increasing intensity. A vocabulary using the MPQ groups was then collated using the words for which at least one-half of the subjects agreed as to classification. The words in each group were presented in alphabetical order. The list was then given to 76 university students whose job was to decide if in fact each word did belong to the class assigned. Following this, the words were arranged on a VAS scale in intensity order. The words mm-mean differences were then compared using a t-test. Those words were chosen for the pain vocabulary which reflected a statistically significant intensity change and were most often to be found in the word-list. The same method is applicable irrespective of language. Words are replaceable by numerical values so that follow-up and renewed investigations become statistically comparable.
21 female patients suffering from chronic tension headache received 10 sessions of upper body massage consisting of deep tissue techniques in addition to softer techniques in the beginning. When found, trigger points were carefully and forcefully massaged. The range of cervical movements, surface ENMG on mm. frontalis and trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Finnish Pain Questionnaire (FPQ), and the incidence of neck pain during a two week period before and after the treatment, and at 3 and 6 months during the follow-up period together with Beck depression inventory were taken for evaluation and follow-up. The range of movement in all directions increased, and FPQ, VAS and the number of days with neck pain decreased significantly. There was a significant change in ENMG on the frontalis muscle whereas changes in trapezius remained insignificant. Beck inventory showed an improvement after the treatment. This study confirmed clinical and physiological effects of massage.
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