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Special Issue "The 10th Anniversary of Healthcare—Pain Management"

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A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Pain Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2024 | Viewed by 1558

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gianluigi Pasta

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Guest Editor

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Interests: hemophilic arthropathy; orthopedic surgery; joint replacement; motion analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal pain is a challenging condition for both patients and physicians. Many adults have experienced one or more episodes of musculoskeletal pain at some time in their lives, regardless of age, gender, or economic status. It affects approximately 47% of the general population. Of these, about 39–45% have long-lasting problems that require medical consultation. Inadequately managed musculoskeletal pain can adversely affect quality of life and impose significant socioeconomic problems. This Special Issue will cover the pathophysiology, classifications, patient assessments, and different diagnostic and management tools of musculoskeletal pain. Special focus will be given to multimodal analgesia and multidisciplinary approaches that are fundamental elements of the effective management of musculoskeletal pain.

Dr. Gianluigi Pasta
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Behavioral Adaptations and Barriers of Patients Employing Non-Pharmacological Strategies for Cancer Pain Management—A Qualitative Study

and

Healthcare 2023, 11(22), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11222911 - 07 Nov 2023

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Abstract

The use of non-pharmacological strategies to complement pharmacological approaches can enhance cancer pain management by promoting patient autonomy and increasing management effectiveness. This study aimed to explore the required behavioral adaptations and situational barriers that cancer patients encounter when utilizing non-pharmacological strategies to manage pain. We adopted an exploratory–descriptive qualitative research approach, purposive sampling, and semi-structured interview guidelines to conduct face-to-face interviews with 18 cancer patients experiencing moderate or severe levels of worst pain. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to explore patients’ experiences. Five themes described the behavioral adaptations of patients using non-pharmacological strategies to deal with cancer pain: finding complementary therapies, utilizing assistive skills, adapting to assistive skills, diverting attention, and seeking help. Situational barriers faced by patients include being in the workplace or in a climate-affected environment. Behavioral adaptation is necessary for non-pharmacological strategies to coping with cancer pain. The behavioral skills can help the patients to overcome situational barriers to engagement with these strategies. Thus, health professionals are expected to help the patients acquire adequate behavioral adaptation and skills for self-pain management, and assess the effectiveness of the strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 10th Anniversary of Healthcare—Pain Management)

Review

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17 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessReview

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Narrative Review

Hortensia De la Corte-Rodríguez

Juan M. Román-Belmonte

Beatriz A. Rodríguez-Damiani

Aránzazu Vázquez-Sasot

and

Emérito Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán

Healthcare 2023, 11(21), 2830; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11212830 - 26 Oct 2023

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Abstract

Extracorporeal shock waves are high-intensity mechanical waves (500–1000 bar) of a microsecond duration with a morphology characterized by a rapid positive phase followed by a negative phase. Background: Extracorporeal shock waves have been used for pain treatment for various sub-acute and chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) problems since 2000. The aim of this article is to update information on the role of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of various pathologies that cause MSK pain. Methods: Given that in the last two years, articles of interest (including systematic reviews and meta-analyses) have been published on less known indications, such as low back pain, nerve entrapments, osteoarthritis and bone vascular diseases, a literature search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Database, EMBASE, CINAHL and PEDro, with the aim of developing a narrative review of the current literature on this topic. The purposes of the review were to review possible new mechanisms of action, update the level of evidence for known indications and assess possible new indications that have emerged in recent years. Results: Although extracorporeal shock waves have mechanical effects, their main mechanism of action is biological, through a phenomenon called mechanotransduction. There is solid evidence that supports their use to improve pain in many MSK pathologies, such as different tendinopathies (epicondylar, trochanteric, patellar, Achilles or calcific shoulder), plantar fasciitis, axial pain (myofascial, lumbar or coccygodynia), osteoarthritis and bone lesions (delayed union, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, Kienbock’s disease, bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip, pubis osteitis or carpal tunnel syndrome). Of the clinical indications mentioned in this review, five have a level of evidence of 1+, eight have a level of evidence of 1−, one indication has a level of evidence of 2− and two indications have a level of evidence of 3. Conclusions: The current literature shows that ESWT is a safe treatment, with hardly any adverse effects reported. Furthermore, it can be used alone or in conjunction with other physical therapies such as eccentric strengthening exercises or static stretching, which can enhance its therapeutic effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The 10th Anniversary of Healthcare—Pain Management)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: The role of physical exercise on musculoskeletal pain: best medicine
Authors: Hortensia De la Corte-Rodríguez (1) (2), Juan M. Román-Belmonte (3) (4), Cristina Resino-Luís (3), Jorge Madrid-González (1); E. Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán (5) (6),
Affiliation: (1) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. (2) IdiPAZ Institute for Health Research, Madrid, Spain. (3) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cruz Roja San José y Santa Adela University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. (4) Alfonso X el Sabio University. (5) Department of Orthopedic Surgery, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. (6) Osteoarticular Surgery Research, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research – IdiPAZ (La Paz University Hospital – Autonomous University of Madrid), Madrid, Spain.
Abstract: Abstract: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain and can aggravate it. For the management of musculoskeletal pain, physical exercise is an effective, cheap and safe therapeutic option, as it does not produce the adverse effects of pharmacological treatments and invasive techniques. In addition to its analgesic capacity, physical exercise has an effect on other pain-related areas such as sleep quality, activities of daily living, quality of life, physical function or emotional impact. In general, even during acute periods, maintaining a minimum level of physical activity is often beneficial. There are different forms of physical exercise: aerobic, strengthening, flexibility and balance. Programs that combine several of these modalities (multicomponent exercise) are often more effective and can be better adapted to clinical conditions. In chronic pain, it appears that the greatest benefits occur with programs performed at light to moderate intensities and at a frequency of 2-3 times per week for at least 4 weeks. Exercise programs should be tailored to the specific needs of each patient based on the recommendations of clinical guidelines and World Health Organization. Adherence to physical exercise is a major problem, so it is important to empower patients and facilitate lifestyle change. There is strong evidence of the analgesic effect of physical exercise in multiple pathologies such as osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia. The aim of this work is to review the literature on the effect of physical exercise on musculoskeletal pain.