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This article discusses a study that compared the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency ablation (PRF) of the suprascapular nerve to local anesthetics with steroids for chronic shoulder pain. The study found that both treatments provided significant pain relief and improved scores for shoulder pain and disability. However, the group that received the local anesthetic and steroid injection had lower pain levels during the 2-week follow-up period. The study suggests that both treatments can be effective options for managing chronic shoulder pain. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: The Lancet Low Back Pain (LBP) Series highlighted the lack of LBP data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study aimed to describe (1) what LBP care is currently delivered in LMICs and (2) how that care is delivered. DESIGN: An online mixed-methods study. METHODS: A Consortium for LBP in LMICs (n = 65) was developed with an expert panel of leading LBP researchers (>2 publications on LBP) and multidisciplinary clinicians and patient partners with 5 years of clinical/lived LBP experience in LMICs. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Two researchers independently analyzed qualitative data using inductive and deductive coding and developed a thematic framework. RESULTS: Forty-seven (85%) of 55 invited panel members representing 32 LMICs completed the survey (38% women, 62% men). The panel included clinicians (34%), researchers (28%), educators (6%), and people with lived experience (4%). Pharmacotherapies and electrophysiological agents were the most used LBP treatments. The thematic framework comprised 8 themes: (1) self-management is ubiquitous, (2) medicines are the cornerstone, (3) traditional therapies have a place, (4) society plays an important role, (5) imaging use is very common, (6) reliance on passive approaches, (7) social determinants influence LBP care pathway, and (8) health systems are ill-prepared to address LBP burden. CONCLUSION: LBP care in LMICs did not consistently align with the best available evidence. Findings will help research prioritization in LMICs and guide global LBP clinical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Charu. Sharma, Babita. Ghai, Nitika. Goel, Karthik. Mahesh Sir Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disease that is characterized by progressive weakness in legs and arms, areflexia, or [...]

Background: Chronic low back pain is associated with both psychological and functional limitation. Yoga therapy has been shown to improve both the aspects. The present study was planned to evaluate integrated approach of yoga therapy with usaul care. Aims: This controlled randomized trial was done to evaluate the clinical and molecular changes resulting from integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) as an adjunct regimen and compared it with usual care for the management of chronic low back pain patients. Material and methods: We enrolled 29 adult patients with non‐specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received the usual care of treatment as per institutional protocol. The yoga group received IAYT as an adjunct to usual care. Primary outcomes were pain intensity assessed by verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) and functional ability assessed by Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI). Secondary outcomes were pain catastrophizing, quality of life, fear of movement related to CLBP, type of pain, levels of β‐endorphin and TNF‐α, and salivary CGRP. All parameters were measured at baseline, 1 and 3 months. Results: A Significant decrease in VNRS score at 1 and 3 months was observed in both the groups with the yoga group showing a more significant reduction in pain over time than the control group (p = 0.036). MODI improved significantly only in the yoga group at 1 and 3 months. Intergroup comparison revealed significantly better MODI over time in the yoga group (p < 0.001). DN4, PDQ, PCS, HADS (anxiety), and Euro QOL had a statistically significant improvement at 1 and 3 months in the yoga group compared with the control group. The HADS (depression) had a statistically significant reduction scores in the yoga group at 3 months compared with the control group (p = 0.012). There was a significant reduction in TNF‐α values in the yoga group compared with baseline (p = 0.004). Conclusion: IAYT therapy helped in addressing the psychological components of pain and improved quality of life patients with chronic low back pain compared with usual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Parth. Jani, Manjul. Tripathi, Babita. Ghai, Ninad. Patil, Aman. Batish, Sandeep. Mohindra Sir, Retro sigmoid suboccipital (RMSO) craniotomy is a preferred surgical corridor for a wide range of pathologies [...]

Background. Studying loneliness among children is important because it causes much social pain and is considered to be a risk factor for many mental and physical problems. Methods. We did an online survey between July and September 2020 among students and their parents from a cluster of government and private schools chosen from north, south, east and west of Chandigarh. The survey consisted of child and parent versions of the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire, Parent--Child Relationship (PCR) Questionnaire and Conflict Behaviour Questionnaire SF. Parental distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. Results. The majority of children and parent participants reported high loneliness and dissatisfaction among children. A significant positive association was found between children and parent reported loneliness and dissatisfaction, and between child reported PCR and parent perception of PCR. A child's appraisal of her loneliness had a significant negative association with depression among parents. Parent's perception of child loneliness and dissatisfaction was negatively associated with PCR and parental anxiety. High loner boys reported poor quality of relationship and more conflicts with their parents than girls. Children who share cordial relations with their parents had fewer conflicts and also scored low on loneliness. Conclusion. These results suggest that the issue of loneliness and dissatisfaction among children has attained epidemic proportions in the Covid-19 era, and active interventions are needed to safeguard the mental health of children. Our study emphasizes the need to plan guidance strategies with a joint effort of schools and families to strengthen within family relations of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Babita. Ghai, Naveen. Malhotra, Sukhminder. Bajwa Treatment of chronic pain is an essential service. Due to lockdown, travel restrictions, social and physical distancing requirements or fear that health care [...]

Byline: Babita. Ghai, Kapil. Gudala, Mir. Asrar, Neha. Chanana, Raju. Kanukula, Dipika. Bansal Background: Low back pain (LBP) is ranked highest in terms of disability-adjusted life-years lived. Patient education and [...]