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The aim of this study was to develop a cervical screening decision aid for countries which could choose between self- or clinician-collected sample for primary Human Papillomavirus (HPV) based cervical screening. A structured development process based on the International Patient Decision Aid Standards was used, including a systematic literature search for existing decision aids, a medical literature review, structured development of the decision aid which includes many iterative revisions, focus group discussions with screen eligible women, internal and external peer review by Gynaecology and non-Gynaecology experts, and finally field tested among 360 women. Most women considered the decision aid clear, helpful in decision making and would recommend it to others. This systematically developed decision aid appears to be suitable for wider use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In the present study, we examined clinical and laser-evoked potentials (LEP) features in two groups of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients treated with two different approaches: intra-oral appliance of prosthesis, aiming to reduce muscular tenderness, and 10 mg daily amitriptyline. Methods Eighteen patients with diagnosed CTTH participated in this open label, controlled study. A baseline evaluation was performed for clinical features, Total Tenderness Score (TTS) and a topographic analysis of LEPs obtained manually and the pericranial points stimulation in all patients vs. healthy subjects. Thereafter, patients were randomly assigned to a two-month treatment by either amitriptyline or intra-oral appliance. Results and discussion Both the intra-oral appliance and amitriptyline significantly reduced headache frequency. The TTS was significantly reduced in the group treated with the appliance. The amplitude of P2 response elicited by stimulation of pericranial zones showed a reduction after amitriptyline treatment. Both therapies were effective in reducing headache severity, the appliance with a prevalent action on the pericranial muscular tenderness, amitriptyline reducing the activity of the central cortical structures subtending pain elaboration Conclusion The results of this study may suggest that in CTTH both the interventions at the peripheral and central levels improve the outcome of headache.