An observer-blind randomised parallel group study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of tenoxicam and piroxicam in the treatment of post-operative pain after oral surgery.

Tenoxicam and piroxicam were compared for analgesic efficacy in 58 patients undergoing removal of bilateral impacted third molar teeth, under general anaesthesia. Pain intensity was assessed over a 7 day period by the patient using verbal and visual analogue scales. The patients received one hour pre-operatively dormicum 7.5 mg orally and either tenoxicam 40 mg or piroxicam 40 mg rectally. This was followed by tenoxicam 20 mg daily in effervescent form, or piroxicam 20 mg daily in despersible tablet form for 7 days. Surgical and anaesthetic techniques were standardized for all patients. Therapeutic gain was assessed by comparing hourly pain levels 4 hours post-operatively and then twice daily for 7 days. Trismus was evaluated pre-operatively, at one hour, 24 hours and 7 days post-operatively. Analysis of the results showed a statistical significant difference between the treatment groups only 4 hours post-operatively, patients in the tenoxicam group experiencing less pain than those in the piroxicam group (p = < 0.05).

An evaluation of the effect of oral ketamine and standard oral premedication in the sedation of paediatric dental patients.

We compared the effectiveness of ketamine with standard oral premedication (SOP) in 60 children, 2-7 years of age, sedated orally for dental treatment under local anaesthesia. Children were assigned randomly to receive either 12.5 mg/kg ketamine or 0.5 ml/kg of SOP orally 60 min before the dental procedure. Pulse rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, respiratory rates and blood oxygen saturation were recorded prior to drug administration, 60 min thereafter and immediately before the dental procedure. Anxiety levels were measured at the same time intervals. The level of sedation was measured 60 min after drug administration. No significant differences were found in the anxiety levels between the groups 60 min after oral administration. The level of sedation in both groups before surgery was excellent. Operator evaluation for overall effectiveness of treatment showed that sedation was very good in 60 per cent of children in the ketamine group compared with 20 per cent in the SOP group. More children in the ketamine group were better sedated (p < 0.05). Both premedicants produce good sedation and anxiolysis 60 min after premedication and immediately before the surgical procedure.

Effects of subliminal backward-recorded messages on attitudes.

This study was designed to measure the effects of subliminal backward messages on attitudes. It was hypothesized that subliminal backward-recorded messages would influence the attitudes of listeners. Three subliminal backward-recorded messages from a popular song were used. 82 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: a three-message group heard a tape containing the backward messages recorded three times in succession, a six-message group heard a tape with the same backward messages recorded six times in succession, two control groups heard nonbackward recorded music. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups on a posttape attitude questionnaire. The results are discussed in terms of unconscious processing and the tricomponent theory of attitudes and attitude change.