Investigation of the effect of the virtual reality application on experimental pain severity in healthy

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality application on experimental ischemic pain created with a blood pressure instrument in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 172 volunteer adult students who conformed to the inclusion criteria. These individuals were assigned into an experimental (n=86) and a control group (n=86) by a simple randomization method. All individuals in the experimental and control groups wereexperimentally subjected to pain for two minutes by applying 260 mmHg of pressure 3-4 cm above the antecubital region of the left arm with an aneroid adult-type blood pressure instrument. During the procedure, the volunteers in the experimental group watched virtual reality images, while those in the control group received no intervention. Immediately after the procedure, the pain levels of the individuals in both groups were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: We found that the mean pain score of the individuals in the experimental group was 2.62±1.82, and that of individuals in the control group was 5.75±1.65. Results of the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the mean pain scores of the individuals in the experimental and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that the use of virtual reality was effective in reducing the level of pain in healthy individuals. This method used a smartphone with widespread availability and ease of transportation, which can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method in the management of pain.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el efecto de la aplicación de realidad virtual en el dolor isquémico experimental creado con un instrumento de presión arterial en voluntarios sanos. MÉTODO: La muestra de investigación consistió en 172 estudiantes adultos voluntarios que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. A estos individuos se les asignó mediante un método de aleatorización simple en un grupo experimental (n = 86) y uno de control (n = 86). Todos los individuos en los grupos experimentales y de control fueron sometidos experimentalmente a dolor durante dos minutos aplicando 260 mmHg de presión 3-4 cm por encima de la región antecubital del brazo izquierdo con un instrumento de presión arterial aneroide tipo adulto. Durante el procedimiento, los voluntarios en el grupo experimental observaron imágenes de realidad virtual, mientras que los del grupo de control no recibieron ninguna intervención. Inmediatamente después del procedimiento, los niveles de dolor de los individuos en ambos grupos se evaluaron con una Escala Analógica Visual (EAV). RESULTADOS: Se encontró que el puntaje promedio de dolor de los individuos en el grupo experimental fue 2.62 ± 1.82, y el de los individuos en el grupo control fue de 5.75 ± 1.65. Los resultados del análisis estadístico mostraron una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las puntuaciones medias de dolor de los individuos en los grupos experimental y control (p<0,000). CONCLUSÃO: Se encontró en este estudio que el uso de la realidad virtual fue efectivo para reducir el nivel de dolor en individuos sanos. Este método, que se lleva a cabo mediante el uso del teléfono inteligente y que ofrece una amplia disponibilidad y facilidad de transporte, puede ser utilizado por profesionales de la salud como un método no farmacológico en el tratamiento del dolor.

Comparative efficacy of Belzer or Euro-Collins solutions for pancreatic preservation during cold ischemic storage in rats

To compare the efficacy of different types of solutions (Belzer or Euro-Collins) for the preservation of rat pancreas during cold ischemia. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups according to the perfusion or storage solution: Group E (perfusion and storage in Euro-Collins solution); Group B (perfusion and storage in Belzer solution) and Group BE (Perfusion in Belzer solution and storage in Euro-Collins solution). After perfusion, the pancreas was excised and stored at 4˚C for 18 hours. Amylase was measured at 6, 12 and 18h, and histological analysis of the pancreas was performed after 18h of cold storage. RESULTS: Amylase was elevated and comparable in Groups E and BE after 12 and 18 hours of ischemia (p<0.05). In the exocrine pancreas, histological differences in the amount of necrosis (p=0.049), lymphocytic infiltrate (p<0.001) and neutrophilic infiltrate (p=0.004) were observed, with more favorable features present in Group B. In the endocrine pancreas, Group B showed less edema (p<0.001), but other parameters were similar among all groups. CONCLUSION: The Euro-Collins solution is inferior to the Belzer solution for the preservation of rat pancreas during cold ischemia.

Percepção da dor isquêmica e a pressão em mulheres jovens durante o ciclo menstrual: associação entre estados de humor e níveis de cortisol / Perception of ischemic and pressing pain in young women during menstrual cycle. Association with humor and cortisol levels

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the modulation of pain perception, estimate by both threshold and tolerance to ischemic and pressure stimuli, by cortisol and humor states across the menstrual cycle. METHODS: Threshold and tolerance pain to ischemic and pressure stimuli were determined in eighteen healthy young women. The menstrual cycle phases were determined using oral temperature, documentation of the first and last day of menstruation and plasma levels of progesterone and estradiol. Statistical analysis using linear regression model (R2) indicate which hormonal variables (estradiol, progesterone and cortisol) and/or variables obtained from the questionnaire Profile of Mood States (POMS) (fatigue, tension, anger, vigor, confusion and depression) explain, isolated or together, each one of the pain parameters during the five phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: In the follicular, periovulatory, early-to-middle luteal and menstrual phases hormones and subjective variables from POMS explained the responses for pain threshold and tolerance to ischemic and pressure stimulus. Estradiol (during follicular, peri-ovulatory and menstrual phases) and cortisol (during follicular, early-to-mid luteal and mestrual phases) explain only the pain perception to pressure. The differential participation of the hormones in the two types of pain suggests that estradiol, and probably cortisol, modulate the pathways related to pressure but not those related to ischemic pain. On the other hand only the mood states variables explained pain perception during late luteal phase. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of hormonal and subjective variables (POMS) together, associated to detailed characterization of the menstrual cycle suggest that participation of estradiol and cortisol modulate pain perception to pressure stimulus but not to ischemic one. Indeed, suggest that in healthy women with regular menstrual cycles, only subjective variables explained pain perception during late luteal phase of menstrual cycle.