The Association between Perceived Injustice Following Traumatic Injury and Its Impact on Pain-Related, Mental Health and Functional Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background: There is growing evidence suggesting that those who suffer traumatic injury display high levels of perceived injustice which impedes their recovery, both physically and mentally. Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the association between perceived injustice and pain-related, mental health and functional outcomes in patients who have suffered a traumatic injury. Methods: In May 2023, a systematic review of the literature was performed on the electronic databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews. Papers were collected and analysed as per PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The outcomes of interest were pain intensity, pain interference, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. The initial search identified 59 papers. Of these papers, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently analysed (N = 1172). Each of the papers was published in peer-reviewed journals in the English language. Individuals with pain or pathology prior to the trauma and those who were not hospitalised following the trauma were excluded from the study. Results: Of the papers reviewed, each study indicated significant associations between perceived injustice and pain, disability, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as reduced return to work status. Conclusion: This systematic review investigated the relationship between perceived injustice and pain-related, mental health, and functional outcomes in trauma patients. The results highlight the negative role that perceived injustice has on recovery following traumatic injury. Further, it provokes the need for future research regarding the implementation of therapeutic interventions and the development of predictive models of injustice.

Effectiveness of external Sanjierupi Gao on mastalgia caused by mammary gland hyperplasia: a placebo controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the curative effect of external application of the Chinese drug,Sanjierupi Gao,on mastalgia caused by mammary gland hyperplasia.METHODS:This randomized,double-blinded,and placebo controlled study enrolled 260 patients with mammary gland hyperplasia from five hospitals.Patients were randomly and equally divided in-to a Sanjierupi Gao treatment group and a placebo control group.An adhesive plaster was applied to the most painful area on either breast for 7 h a day.Treatment lasted for two menstrual cycles without application during menstruation.Mastalgia was used as the main index of curative effect.The change before and after treatment in days of mastalgia,the time to alleviate pain,pain extent,and severe pain scores were observed.RESULTS:Compared to the control group,the treatment group had significantly fewer days of mastalgia(P<0.01),a significantly lower severe pain score(P<0.01),and significantly less subjective pain and tenderness(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).Three days before the follow-up visit,the pain score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).A non-parametric test was used to compare the time to alleviate mastalgia between the two groups and found no statistical difference(Z=0.313,P=0.754).CONCLUSION:Application of Sanjierupi Gao can decrease mastalgia duration in patients with mammary gland hyperplasia during menstruation and alleviate the extent of mastalgia.The time to alleviate pain is psychologically influenced.

Curative effect of scraping therapies on lumbar muscle strain

OBJECTIVE:To explore factors influencing the curative effect of scraping therapies (at acupoints or along channels) and to determine the relationship of scraping site and strength to curative effect. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients with lumbar muscle strain were divided into five groups with 42 patients each.The "scraping therapy at acupoint until appearance of skin eruptions" and "scraping therapy along channel until appearance of skin eruptions" groups were treated with a 4-daycourse. The "scraping therapy at acupoint without appearance of skin eruptions", "scraping therapy along channel without appearance of skin eruptions", and acupuncture groups were treated with a 2-day course.The five groups were treated with seven courses. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbago scores were recorded in the five groups before treatment, after each treatment, and in follow-up visits one month and three months after treatment. RESULTS: VAS, ODI, and lumbago scores after treatment improved in the five groups (P<0.01). There was a statistical difference (P<0.01) in the change of VAS scores by appearance of skin eruptions and scraping site. CONCLUSION: Scraping therapy can effectively alleviate lumbago symptoms. The appearance of skin eruptions and scraping therapy along channels can enhance the curative effect of scraping therapy.