Research has shown that individual members of traditional support groups gain a sense of identity and community and feelings of respect and support. Online support groups provide individuals avenues to find medical information and thus learn more about a given condition or illness. Little has been studied about the learning and instruction that occurs in online social support groups, especially in groups about chronic pain. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of members who participated in one open social support group. Siemen's constructivism theory served as the basis for comprehending the learning and instruction that took place in this group, and the research questions focused on the support group members' perceptions of this learning and instruction. Data were collected from 10 individuals who participated in a Facebook Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy support group. Yin's case study framework provided additional support data analysis. Data were collected through individual, semistructured telephone interviews and observations of online discussions. A combination of open and axial coding was used to support content analysis. Themes identified were learning, knowledge, persuasion, and acceptance of underlying negativity. Online social support group participation involved shared experiences that facilitated learning and instruction; these findings could influence the structures of other support groups. Positive social change occurs when individuals are knowledgeable and well educated about social support groups because it is in these groups that trends, issues, and new information are learned. Informal learning occurs with the increased digital skills, especially within a person's virtual support networks

Introdução e objetivos: Estudos recentes sugerem que a estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva (EMTr) aplicada sobre o córtex motor é eficaz no tratamento analgésico de doentes com dor crônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação da EMTr sobre o córtex motor, utilizada como co-intervenção terapêutica no tratamento de pacientes com síndrome complexa de dor regional (SCDR) refratária aos tratamentos convencionais. Métodos: Vinte e três doentes com SCDR na mão foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de tratamentos para receberem o tratamento padrão (analgésicos, medicações adjuvantes e terapia física) associado a dez sessões diárias e consecutivas de EMTr rápida ou estimulação magnética placebo (EMTp), aplicadas sobre a região correspondente ao córtex motor da mão acometida. Os grupos foram comparados em relação aos aspectos epidemiológicos, apresentação clínica da doença, intensidade da dor, alterações do humor, qualidade de vida e função do membro acometido até noventa dias após a conclusão do tratamento, utilizando-se de entrevistas estruturadas, da escala visual analógicas de dor (EVA), do questionário de dor de McGuill (QM), do questionário PIQ-6 (Pain Inpact Questionnaire), do questionário DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand), do questionário SF-36 e dos questionários Hamilton para ansiedade e depressão. Resultados: Ocorreu redução significativa dos escores da EVA no grupo tratado com EMTr durante o tratamento, que durou até o sétimo dia após o encerramento das aplicações (p<0.05). A redução média da EVA no grupo tratado com EMTr foi de 4.65 cm (redução de 50.9% dos escores de dor), estatisticamente superior ao grupo tratado com placebo, no qual a redução foi de 2.18 cm (redução de 24.7%). A diminuição dos escores de dor na EVA foi independente de outras variáveis em estudo, exceto pela melhora no domínio sete do questionário SF-36 (aspectos emocionais). Conclusões: A aplicação de EMTr rápida sobre a área motora da mão de doentes com SCDR, associada a um programa de tratamento padrão, resulta em diminuição maior da percepção espontânea da dor quando comparada ao efeito do tratamento padrão isolado, independentemente de outros possíveis efeitos da EMTr sobre o humor, função do membro acometido ou qualidade de vida / Background and aims: There are many evidences that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS) of the motor cortex is effective in relief of chronic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of r-TMS in patients with refractory CRPS. Methods: Twenty-three patients presenting with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the hand were randomly selected and treated with conventional treatment (analgesics, adjuvant medications and physical therapy) plus sham-TMS or r-TMS to the motor cortex opposite the affected limb: 100% MT, 10 hz, 10 s trains, 25 trains daily, 10 daily sessions. The Visual Analogical Scale of Pain (VAS), McGill Questionnaire, Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales and SF-36 Questionnaire were the instruments used for the evaluation. The groups were comparable with regards to socio-demographics, mood and pain intensity. Evaluations were performed before, during TMS treatment and up to three months the end of the treatment. Results: There was a significant reduction in VAS scores favoring the r-TMS group up to the seventh follow-up day (p <0.05). The mean reduction in the rTMS group was of 4.65 cm (fall of 50.9%) against 2.18 cm (fall of 24.7%) in sham group during treatment. Improvement in VAS scores was independent of other variables, except for improvement in emotional aspects in the SF-36. Conclusions: During r-TMS sessions there was significant and positive improvement in pain experience of CRPS patients regardless of mood, function or quality of life effects

Introdução e objetivos: Estudos recentes sugerem que a estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva (EMTr) aplicada sobre o córtex motor é eficaz no tratamento analgésico de doentes com dor crônica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação da EMTr sobre o córtex motor, utilizada como co-intervenção terapêutica no tratamento de pacientes com síndrome complexa de dor regional (SCDR) refratária aos tratamentos convencionais. Métodos: Vinte e três doentes com SCDR na mão foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de tratamentos para receberem o tratamento padrão (analgésicos, medicações adjuvantes e terapia física) associado a dez sessões diárias e consecutivas de EMTr rápida ou estimulação magnética placebo (EMTp), aplicadas sobre a região correspondente ao córtex motor da mão acometida. Os grupos foram comparados em relação aos aspectos epidemiológicos, apresentação clínica da doença, intensidade da dor, alterações do humor, qualidade de vida e função do membro acometido até noventa dias após a conclusão do tratamento, utilizando-se de entrevistas estruturadas, da escala visual analógicas de dor (EVA), do questionário de dor de McGuill (QM), do questionário PIQ-6 (Pain Inpact Questionnaire), do questionário DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand), do questionário SF-36 e dos questionários Hamilton para ansiedade e depressão. Resultados: Ocorreu redução significativa dos escores da EVA no grupo tratado com EMTr durante o tratamento, que durou até o sétimo dia após o encerramento das aplicações (p<0.05). A redução média da EVA no grupo tratado com EMTr foi de 4.65 cm (redução de 50.9% dos escores de dor), estatisticamente superior ao grupo tratado com placebo, no qual a redução foi de 2.18 cm (redução de 24.7%). A diminuição dos escores de dor na EVA foi independente de outras variáveis em estudo, exceto pela melhora no domínio sete do questionário SF-36 (aspectos emocionais). Conclusões: A aplicação de EMTr rápida sobre a área motora da mão de doentes com SCDR, associada a um programa de tratamento padrão, resulta em diminuição maior da percepção espontânea da dor quando comparada ao efeito do tratamento padrão isolado, independentemente de outros possíveis efeitos da EMTr sobre o humor, função do membro acometido ou qualidade de vida / Background and aims: There are many evidences that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (r-TMS) of the motor cortex is effective in relief of chronic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of r-TMS in patients with refractory CRPS. Methods: Twenty-three patients presenting with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the hand were randomly selected and treated with conventional treatment (analgesics, adjuvant medications and physical therapy) plus sham-TMS or r-TMS to the motor cortex opposite the affected limb: 100% MT, 10 hz, 10 s trains, 25 trains daily, 10 daily sessions. The Visual Analogical Scale of Pain (VAS), McGill Questionnaire, Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales and SF-36 Questionnaire were the instruments used for the evaluation. The groups were comparable with regards to socio-demographics, mood and pain intensity. Evaluations were performed before, during TMS treatment and up to three months the end of the treatment. Results: There was a significant reduction in VAS scores favoring the r-TMS group up to the seventh follow-up day (p <0.05). The mean reduction in the rTMS group was of 4.65 cm (fall of 50.9%) against 2.18 cm (fall of 24.7%) in sham group during treatment. Improvement in VAS scores was independent of other variables, except for improvement in emotional aspects in the SF-36. Conclusions: During r-TMS sessions there was significant and positive improvement in pain experience of CRPS patients regardless of mood, function or quality of life effects

[ES] El síndrome de dolor regional complejo (SDRC) es un trastorno de dolor crónico debilitante que suele afectar a una extremidad, y se caracteriza por su compleja e incomprendida fisiopatología subyacente, lo que supone un reto para su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Para evitar el deterioro de la calidad de vida de los pacientes, la consecución de un diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos marca un punto de inflexión. Entre los diferentes tratamientos, los bloqueos simpáticos lumbares (BSLs) tienen como objetivo aliviar el dolor y reducir algunos signos simpáticos de la afección. Este procedimiento intervencionista se lleva a cabo inyectando anestesia local alrededor de los ganglios simpáticos y, hasta ahora, se realiza frecuentemente bajo el control de diferentes técnicas de imagen, como los ultrasonidos o la fluoroscopia. Dado que la termografía infrarroja (TIR) ha demostrado ser una herramienta eficaz para evaluar la temperatura de la piel, y teniendo en cuenta el efecto vasodilatador que presentan los anestésicos locales inyectados, se ha considerado el uso de la IRT para la evaluación de los BSLs. El objetivo de esta tesis es, estudiar la capacidad de la TIR como una técnica complementaria para la evaluación de la eficacia en la ejecución de los BSLs. Para cumplir este objetivo, se han realizado tres estudios implementando la TIR en pacientes diagnosticados de SDRC de miembros inferiores sometidos a BSLs. El primer estudio se centra en la viabilidad de la TIR como herramienta complementaria para la evaluación de la eficacia ejecución de los BSLs. Cuando se realizan los BSLs, la colocación correcta de la aguja es crítica para llevar realizar el procedimiento técnicamente correcto y, en consecuencia, para lograr los resultados clínicos deseados. Para verificar la posición de la aguja, tradicionalmente se han utilizado técnicas de imagen, sin embargo, los BSLs bajo control fluoroscópico no siempre aseguran su exacta ejecución. Por este motivo, se han aprovechado las alteraciones térmicas inducidas por los anestésicos locales y se han evaluado mediante la TIR. Así, cuando en las imágenes infrarrojas se observaron cambios térmicos en la planta del pie afectado tras la inyección de lidocaína, se consideró que el BSL era exitoso. El segundo estudio trata del análisis cuantitativo de los datos térmicos recogidos en el entorno clínico a partir de diferentes parámetros basados en las temperaturas extraídas de ambos pies. Según los resultados, para predecir adecuadamente los BSLs exitosos, se deberían analizar las temperaturas de las plantas de los pies durante los primeros cuatro minutos tras la inyección del anestésico local. Así, la aplicación de la TIR en el entorno clínico podría ser de gran ayuda para evaluar la eficacia de ejecución de los BSLs mediante la evaluación de las temperaturas de los pies en tiempo real. Por último, el tercer estudio aborda el análisis cuantitativo mediante la implementación de herramientas de machine learning (ML) para evaluar su capacidad de clasificar automáticamente los BSLs. En este estudio se han utilizado una serie de características térmicas extraídas de las imágenes infrarrojas para evaluar cuatro algoritmos de ML para tres momentos diferentes después del instante de referencia (inyección de lidocaína). Los resultados indican que los cuatro modelos evaluados presentan buenos rendimientos para clasificar automáticamente los BSLs entre exitosos y fallidos. Por lo tanto, la combinación de parámetros térmicos junto con de clasificación ML muestra ser eficaz para la clasificación automática de los procedimientos de BSLs. En conclusión, el uso de la TIR como técnica complementaria en la práctica clínica diaria para la evaluación de los BSLs ha demostrado ser totalmente eficaz. Dado que es un método objetivo y relativamente sencillo de implementar, puede permitir que los médicos especialistas en dolor identifiquen los bloqueos realizados fallidos y, en consecuencia, puedan revertir esta situación. / [CA] La síndrome de dolor regional complex (SDRC) és un trastorn de dolor crònic debilitant que sol afectar una extremitat, i es caracteritza per la seua complexa i incompresa fisiopatologia subjacent, la qual cosa suposa un repte per al seu diagnòstic i tractament. Per a evitar la deterioració de la qualitat de vida dels pacients, la consecució d'un diagnòstic i tractament primerencs marca un punt d'inflexió. Entre els diferents tractaments , els bloquejos simpàtics lumbars (BSLs) tenen com a objectiu alleujar el dolor i reduir alguns signes simpàtics de l'afecció. Aquest procediment intervencionista es duu a terme injectant anestèsia local al voltant dels ganglis simpàtics i, fins ara, es realitza freqüentment sota el control de diferents tècniques d'imatge, com els ultrasons o la fluoroscopia. Atés que la termografia infraroja (TIR) ha demostrat ser una eina eficaç per a avaluar la temperatura de la pell, i tenint en compte l'efecte vasodilatador que presenten els anestèsics locals injectats, s'ha considerat l'ús de la TIR per a l'avaluació dels BSLs. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és, estudiar la capacitat de la TIR com una tècnica complementària per a l'avaluació de l'eficàcia en l'execució dels BSLs. Per a complir aquest objectiu, s'han realitzat tres estudis implementant la TIR en pacients diagnosticats de SDRC de membres inferiors sotmesos a BSLs. El primer estudi avalua la viabilitat de la TIR com a eina complementària per a l'analisi de l'eficàcia en l'execució dels BSLs. Quan es realitzen els BSLs, la col·locació correcta de l'agulla és crítica per a dur a terme el procediment tècnicament correcte i, en conseqüència, per a aconseguir els resultats clínics desitjats. Per a verificar la posició de l'agulla, tradicionalment s'han utilitzat tècniques d'imatge, no obstant això, els BSLs baix control fluoroscòpic no sempre asseguren la seua exacta execució. Per aquest motiu, s'han aprofitat les alteracions tèrmiques induïdes pels anestèsics locals i s'han avaluat mitjançant la TIR. Així, quan en les imatges infraroges es van observar canvis tèrmics en la planta del peu afectat després de la injecció de lidocaIna, es va considerar que el BSL era exitós. El segon estudi tracta de l'anàlisi quantitativa de les dades tèrmiques recollides en l'entorn clínic a partir de diferents paràmetres basats en les temperatures extretes d'ambdós peus. Segons els resultats, per a predir adequadament l'execució exitosa d'un BSL, s'haurien d'analitzar les temperatures de les plantes dels peus durant els primers quatre minuts després de la injecció de l'anestèsic local. Així, l'implementació de la TIR en l'entorn clínic podria ser de gran ajuda per a avaluar l'eficàcia d'execució dels BSLs mitjançant l'avaluació de les temperatures dels peus en temps real. El tercer estudi aborda l'anàlisi quantitativa mitjançant la implementació d'eines machine learning (ML) per a avaluar la seua capacitat de classificar automàticament els BSLs. En aquest estudi s'han utilitzat una sèrie de característiques tèrmiques extretes de les imatges infraroges per a avaluar quatre algorismes de ML per a tres moments diferents després de l'instant de referència (injecció de lidocaïna). Els resultats indiquen que els quatre models avaluats presenten bons rendiments per a classificar automàticament els BSLs en exitosos i fallits. Per tant, la combinació de paràmetres tèrmics juntament amb models de classificació ML mostra ser eficaç per a la classificació automàtica dels procediments de BSLs. En conclusió, l'ús de la TIR com a tècnica complementària en la pràctica clínica diària per a l'avaluació dels BSLs ha demostrat ser totalment eficaç. Atés que és un mètode objectiu i relativament senzill d'implementar, pot ajudar els metges especialistes en dolor a identificar els bloquejos realitzats fallits i, en conseqüència, puguen revertir aquesta situació. / [EN] Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating chronic pain condition that usually affects one limb, and it is characterized by its misunderstood underlying pathophysiology, resulting in both challenging diagnosis and treatment. To avoid the patients' impairment quality of life, the achievement of both an early diagnosis and treatment marks a turning point. Among the different treatment approaches, lumbar sympathetic blocks (LSBs) are addressed to alleviate the pain and reduce some sympathetic signs of the condition. This interventional procedure is performed by injecting local anaesthetic around the sympathetic ganglia and, until now, it has been performed under different imaging techniques, including the ultrasound or the fluoroscopy approaches. Since infrared thermography (IRT) has proven to be a powerful tool to evaluate skin temperatures and taking into account the vasodilatory effects of the local anaesthetics injected in the LSB, the use of IRT has been considered for the LSBs assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the capability of IRT as a complementary assessment technique for the LSBs procedures performance. To fulfil this aim, three studies have been conducted implementing the IRT in patients diagnosed with lower limbs CRPS undergoing LSBs. The first study focuses on the feasibility of IRT as a complementary assessment tool for LSBs performance, that is, for the confirmation of the proper needle position. When LSBs are performed, the correct needle placement is critical to carry out the procedure technically correct and, consequently, to achieve the desired clinical outcomes. To verify the needle placement position, imaging techniques have traditionally been used, however, LSBs under radioscopic guidance do not always ensure an exact performance. For this reason, the thermal alterations induced by the local anaesthetics, have been exploited and assessed by means of IRT. Thus, the LSB procedure was considered successfully performed when thermal changes within the affected plantar foot were observed in the infrared images after the lidocaine injection. The second study deals with the quantitative analysis of the thermal data collected in the clinical setting through the evaluation of different temperature-based parameters extracted from both feet. According to the results, the proper LSB success prediction could be achieved in the first four minutes after the block through the evaluation of the feet skin temperatures. Therefore, the implementation of IRT in the clinical setting might be of great help in assessing the LSBs performance by evaluating the plantar feet temperatures in real time. Finally, the third study addresses the quantitative analysis by implementing machine learning (ML) tools to assess their capability to automatically classify LSBs. In this study, a set of thermal features retrieved from the infrared images have been used to evaluate four ML algorithms for three different moments after the baseline time (lidocaine injection). The results indicate that all four models evaluated present good performance metrics to automatically classify LSBs into successful and failed. Therefore, combining infrared features with ML classification models shows to be effective for the LSBs procedures automatic classification. In conclusion, the use of IRT as a complementary technique in daily clinical practice for LSBs assessment has been evidenced entirely effective. Since IRT is an objective method and it is not very demanding to perform, it is of great help for pain physicians to identify failed procedures, and consequently, it allow them to reverse this situation. / Cañada Soriano, M. (2022). Infrared Thermography for the Assessment of Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181699

At the Ottawa Hospital in Ontario, Canada, clinicians use full body immersion virtual reality to treat a variety of health conditions, including: traumatic brain injuries, post- traumatic stress disorder, acquired brain injuries, complex regional pain syndrome, spinal cord injuries, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and lower limb amputations. The system is shared between military and civilian patient populations. Viewed by clinicians and the system’s designers as a value neutral medical technology, clinical virtual reality’s sights, sounds, movements, and smells reveal cultural assumptions about universal patient experiences. In this dissertation I draw from reflexive feminist research methodologies, visual anthropology and sensory ethnography in a hospital to centre the body in current debates about digital accessibility in the 21st Century. 40 in-depth interviews with practitioners and patients, 210 clinical observations, and film and photography ground research participant experiences in day-to-day understandings of virtual reality at the hospital. In this dissertation I address an ongoing absence of the body as a site of analytical attention in anthropological studies of virtual reality. While much literature in the social sciences situates virtual reality as a ‘post-human’ technology, I argue that virtual reality treatments are always experienced, resisted and interpreted through diverse body schemata. Furthermore, virtual reality cannot be decoupled from the sensitivities, socialities and politics of particular bodies in particular places and times. The Ottawa Hospital’s Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) system features a digitally enhanced walk-in chamber, treadmills on hydraulic pistons, surround sound audio, advanced graphics and user feedback utilizing force plates and a dynamic infrared motion capture system. The CAREN system utilizes hardware and software reliant on specific assumptions about human bodies. For example, these assumptions are echoed in depictions of race, gender, class, and indigeneity. Patients using virtual reality technologies can experience more than one disability or health condition at a time, further disrupting the idea of universal user experiences. As clinicians and patients confront the limitations of body normativity in the CAREN system’s interface design, they improvise, resist, and experience virtual reality in ways that defy design agendas, ultimately shaping patient treatments and unique paths to healing and health. / Graduate