International Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention
Year:2024 | Volume:9 | Issue:2|Papers Count:6

Aims: The MusculoCutaneous Nerve (MCN) is a branch that originates from the lateral cord and descends along the lateral side of the distal part of the axillary artery. Since the MCN is the only nerve for the innervation of the anterior compartment muscles of the arm, any variation in this nerve may be clinically important. Case presentation: During a routine dissection of the upper limb of a 48-year-old male cadaver in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, a unilateral absence of the MCN was observed. Conclusion: In compensation, the anterior compartment muscles of the arm receive a supplementary branch from the Median Nerve (MN). Clinically, if this surrogate nerve's origin is injured, it could lead to palsy in the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles. Consequently, the individual may experience difficulty flexing the arm and may lose skin sensation. Therefore, the absence of the MCN is vital information to consider during arm surgeries.

Aims: The objective of this review is to conduct a thorough analysis of the utilization of acupuncture as a non-pharmacological method for managing pain, with a specific focus on its effectiveness in addressing chronic musculoskeletal pain and headaches. Method and Materials: A comprehensive search was conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published until January 2024. The search employed keywords such as "acupuncture, " "acupuncture mechanism, " "headache, " "musculoskeletal pain, " and "pain management. " Studies were included if they assessed the use of acupuncture in different clinical populations and reported outcomes related to pain intensity, functional status, and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, a total of 6 articles were selected for the final analysis. Findings: The studies included in this review encompassed a diverse range of patient populations, specifically focusing on individuals who received acupuncture treatment. The findings indicated that acupuncture was associated with improved pain control and reduced reliance on medication among patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain and headaches. Additionally, one study demonstrated the long-term cost-effectiveness of utilizing acupuncture in this manner. Conclusion: The results of this review provide support for the implementation of acupuncture as part of non-pharmacological approaches in clinical settings. Future research should concentrate on identifying the most effective combinations of acupuncture and standard care, as well as elucidating the mechanisms that underlie the synergistic effects of this treatment modality.

Aims: Neck pain is a common problem among teachers. This study aimed to design and evaluate an instrument for measuring occupational neck pain preventive behaviors among teachers. Method and Materials: This study was conducted from August to December 2020 among high school teachers in Tehran, Iran. In the qualitative phase, a purposeful sample of teachers (30 participants) was interviewed to generate an item pool. The content and face validity were performed, and an initial questionnaire was sent to 25 teachers of the target community to be examined in terms of simplicity, importance, relevance, and clarity. Then, a cross-sectional study with 146 teachers with a mean age of 36. 7 ± 8. 92 years was conducted, by which exploratory factor analysis was done to obtain the factor structure of the questionnaire. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was calculated to assess reliability, and the Intra Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) to assess stability. Findings: Based on analysis of the exploratory factor, 8 factors with 43 substances, that together accounted for 65, 25% variance, were obtained. The correlation matrix in the case scale to establish the validity of the questionnaire showed satisfactory results. The results of face validity showed that 4 factors were not approved and were removed from the questionnaire. Reliability evaluation with the internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha) showed excellent compatibility (0. 87). The ICC reliability assessment showed that the questionnaire has satisfactory stability (0. 92). Conclusion: This instrument could be applied to evaluate unhealthy behavior due to neck pain and so improve these risky behaviors.

Aims: The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between alexithymia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among patients experiencing varying degrees of Chronic Pain (CP). Method and Materials: This study utilized a descriptive causal-comparative approach. The participants were drawn from patients referred to pain and physiotherapy clinics in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. Out of 300 CP patients, 150 patients with high CP levels and an equal number with low CP levels were purposively chosen. The participants completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, employing multivariate analysis of variance. Findings: The findings revealed a significant difference in the levels of alexithymia and PTSD between the two groups (P<0. 001). Patients with high levels of CP demonstrated increased negative difficulty identifying feelings (F=241. 87), positive difficulty identifying feelings (F=389. 01), negative difficulty describing feelings (F=190. 61), positive-difficulty describing feelings (F=347. 81), general-externally orientated thinking (F=376. 28), reexperiencing (F=246. 75), avoidance (F=100. 74), negative alterations (F=378. 01), hyperarousal (F=388. 46), and emotional numbness (F=388. 47) compared to their counterparts (P<0. 001). Conclusion: These findings underscore the intricate relationship between CP, alexithymia, and PTSD. Therefore, the need for comprehensive assessment and management strategies addressing the interplay of these factors in patient care is highlighted.

Aims: Migraine is a common, painful, and, in severe and chronic cases, debilitating disease characterized by frequent, unilateral, and pulsating attacks with moderate to severe intensity, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation [tDCS] on headache signs and sleep quality in migraine patients. Method and Materials: The current research design was a semi-experimental type of pretest and post-test with a 2-week follow-up. The statistical population of this study was all patients suffering from migraine in Yazd city. A sample of 30 people was selected using the available sampling method, and they were placed in two experimental and control groups by random sampling. The tools used in this research were the Ahvaz Migraine Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire. The tDCS treatment method included 5 sessions of 20 minutes with a current of 2 mA. The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance method. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the scores of headache signs and sleep quality in the post-test and follow-up [p<0/01]. Conclusion: The study showed that tDCS treatment has an effective role in improving headache signs and sleep quality.

Aims: Chronic pain can change the body image in patients with musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of compassion therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on body image in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Method and Materials: This study is a Semi-Experimental research in nature with an unequal control group and pretest/post-test follow-up, which was conducted in 2023. The statistical population of this research included all patients with musculoskeletal pain in Tehran. The sample of this study included 45 patients with musculoskeletal pain whose scores were low on the body image scale, who were selected by a convenience sampling method. These people were divided into two groups: experimental and control, and one group of control (15 participants in each group). For the intervention group, eight 90minute sessions of compassion therapy, and for the control group, nine 90-minute sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy were held weekly Body image questionnaire was completed by all three groups in pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. The data were analyzed with SPSS software version 26. Findings: The analysis of covariance with repeated measurements indicated there is no significant difference between experimental groups of compassion therapy and acceptance/commitment therapy (P<0. 05), but both experimental groups were significantly different from the control group (P = 0. 001). Conclusion: It seems that compassion therapy and acceptance/commitment therapy can improve body image in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.