Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as constant or intermittent lower, cyclical or non-cyclical abdominal pain of at least six months’ duration. In the United Kingdom, over 1 million women suffer from CPP, with an estimated annual healthcare cost above £150 million. The aetiology of CPP is unknown in up to 50% of women, and in the remainder, the symptoms of CPP is associated with endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, irritable bowel syndrome or painful bladder syndrome. CPP is often accompanied by painful periods, pain during sexual intercourse and defaecation. Fatigue, sleep disturbances and depression are also common among this group of women. CPP asserts a heavy emotional, social and economic burden. Standard treatments such as hormonal and analgesic regimens are often associated with unacceptable side effects, even if helpful for the pain, underlining an urgent need for a satisfactory treatment. The meridian balanced method (BM) electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment (acupuncture needling + traditional Chinese medicine health consultation [TCM HC]) may be effective in managing CPP symptoms. Thus, I have completed a pilot study comprising of a three-armed randomised controlled trial (RCT), using a mixed methods research (MMR) approach, to assess the feasibility of a future large-scale RCT to determine the effectiveness of the meridian BMEA treatment on CPP in women. My hypothesis is that it is feasible to conduct such a large-scale RCT for CPP in women. The primary objectives were to determine recruitment and retention rates. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the, acceptability of the methods of recruitment, randomisation, interventions and assessment tools and any signals of effectiveness of the interventions. Thirty (30) women with CPP were randomised into three groups: BMEA treatment, TCM HC, or National Health Service standard care (NHS SC) group. The effects of my interventions were assessed by validated pain, physical and emotional functioning questionnaires, completed at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12 of the study. Semi-structured telephone interviews and focus group discussions to explore participants’ experience of the study were conducted. Of the 59 women who were referred to the study, 30 women (51%) were randomised. There was a statistically significant difference in retention rates between the three groups. The retention rates were 80% (95% CI 74-96), in the BMEA treatment group, 53 % (95% CI 36- 70) in the TCM HC group and 87% (95% CI 63-90) in the NHS SC group. (Chi-square test, p=0.08) The attendance rates of the BMEA treatment group were 90% compared to 56% in the TCM HC group. There was a statistically significant difference (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.023) in attendance between the two intervention groups. Telephone interviews regarding the acceptability of the methods of recruitment, randomisation, assessment tools and interventions were positive. No adverse effects that were directly related to BMEA treatments were reported or observed. A higher proportion of the BMEA treatment group achieved clinical significance in the VAS-pain, BPI-pain severity, interference, and sleep scores, when compared to the other two groups. Due to small sample sizes, there was insufficient power to show statistically significant difference. (Fishers Exact Test, p=1.0) Analyses of the questionnaire data per group showed statistically significant differences in the following: the BMEA treatment group experienced less in pain at weeks 4 (p=0.01) and 8 (p=0.005); less helplessness (p=0.03) and their anxiety and depression scores declined at week 4 (p=0.04). The NHS SC group also reported less pain at week 4 (p=0.04). However, this group scored higher in anxiety and depression at weeks 8 and 12 (p=0.04). No statistically significant differences were achieved between the three groups at baseline, weeks 4, 8 and 12 in all scores. The therapeutic benefits gained by the TCM HC group were less compared to those of the BMEA treatment group, but better when compared to the NHS SC group. The BMEA treatment and TCM HC groups showed lower scores in anxiety and depression while the NHS SC group showed higher scores in anxiety and depression. The NHS SC group also tended to ruminate and magnify their problems as well as feeling more helpless than the other two groups. The three key themes that emerged from thematic analysis of focus group discussions were the “whole person effects” where participants reported an improvement in pain, sleep and a general sense of wellbeing in the two intervention groups; the “experience of standard care” and “impact of living with CPP”. In conclusion, the results of my pilot study are supportive of the feasibility of a future large-scale study. There were signals of effectiveness of interventions but the sample size was too small to make a definitive conclusion.

Introdução: a ausência de extensão completa do joelho é uma condição limitante que algumas vezes precisa ser tratada invasivamente através da realização da capsulotomia posterior do joelho, uma vez que medidas conservadoras tenham sido esgotadas previamente. No entanto, mesmo com a literatura vigente, ainda não está claro se o procedimento para aquisição de extensão do membro inferior está associado á melhora funcional de pacientes com contratura em flexão do joelho e queixas de dor anterior, bem como se este ganho de extensão pode ser mantido ao longo do tempo. Métodos: nós conduzimos um estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 21 pacientes com contratura em flexão mínima do joelho os quais foram submetidos à capsulotomia posterior do joelho por técnica aberta entre 1990 e 2010. Após 9.19 ± 6.68 anos de follow-up, os níveis funcionais do joelho e média de ângulo de contratura em flexão foram comparados com os dados pré-operatórios e a taxa de recorrência pôde ser estimada. Complicações investigadas incluíram instabilidade do joelho secundária ao procedimento e danos neurovasculares. Resultados: pré-operatoriamente, todos os pacientes (100%) apresentavam scores funcionais de Lysholm classificados como regular ou ruim (média absoluta do score 58.66 ± 13.87, 95%CI 52.35–64.98), e 15 pacientes (72%) apresentaram melhora funcional, com scores bom ou excelente (média de score de Lysholm 87.61 ± 8.81, 95%CI 83.60–91.63) após o período de follow-up. A média pré-operatória do ângulo de flexão do joelho foi de 25.04 ± 9.15 graus (95%CI 20.88–29.21) e diminuiu para 4.28 ± 4.18 graus (95CI% 2.38 – 6.19). Nenhum paciente apresentou complicações relacionadas ao procedimento Conclusão: baseado em nossos resultados, nós concluímos que a capsulotomia posterior do joelho parece ser um procedimento seguro e efetivo para tratar adequadamente pacientes com joelhos dolorosos secundários a contraturas em flexão, com uma baixa taxa de recorrência mesmo após 9.19 anos em média de seguimento. / Background: lack of full extension of the knee is a disabling condition that sometimes needs to be treated invasively by a posterior capsulotomy of the knee, since conservative treatments have been exhaustively attempted. However, it is not clear if the procedure is able to improve anterior symptoms on the knee of patients with flexion contracture and if the full extension acquired can be kept throughout long-time follow-up. Methods: we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 21 patients diagnosed with minimal flexion contracture of the knee who underwent open posterior capsulotomy between 1990 and 2010. After 9.19 ± 6.68 years of follow-up, knee function and mean angle of fixed knee flexion were compared to baseline data and the recurrence rate was estimated. Complications investigated included knee instability and neurovascular damages. Results: all patients (100%) presented with a preoperative Lysholm score classified as poor or fair (mean, 58.66 ± 13.87, 95%CI 52.35–64.98), but 15 patients (72%) experienced an improvement to good or excellent scores (mean, 87.61 ± 8.81, 95%CI 83.60–91.63) after long-time follow-up. The mean preoperative angle of fixed flexion was 25.04 ± 9.15 degrees (95%CI 20.88–29.21) and it decreased to 4.28 ± 4.18 degrees (95CI% 2.38 – 6.19, after the follow-up. Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that posterior capsulotomy of the knee proved to be a safe and effective procedure to treat properly patients with painful knees secondary to lack of full extension with a low rate of recurrence even after a long-term follow-up.

Introdução: a ausência de extensão completa do joelho é uma condição limitante que algumas vezes precisa ser tratada invasivamente através da realização da capsulotomia posterior do joelho, uma vez que medidas conservadoras tenham sido esgotadas previamente. No entanto, mesmo com a literatura vigente, ainda não está claro se o procedimento para aquisição de extensão do membro inferior está associado á melhora funcional de pacientes com contratura em flexão do joelho e queixas de dor anterior, bem como se este ganho de extensão pode ser mantido ao longo do tempo. Métodos: nós conduzimos um estudo de coorte retrospectivo de 21 pacientes com contratura em flexão mínima do joelho os quais foram submetidos à capsulotomia posterior do joelho por técnica aberta entre 1990 e 2010. Após 9.19 ± 6.68 anos de follow-up, os níveis funcionais do joelho e média de ângulo de contratura em flexão foram comparados com os dados pré-operatórios e a taxa de recorrência pôde ser estimada. Complicações investigadas incluíram instabilidade do joelho secundária ao procedimento e danos neurovasculares. Resultados: pré-operatoriamente, todos os pacientes (100%) apresentavam scores funcionais de Lysholm classificados como regular ou ruim (média absoluta do score 58.66 ± 13.87, 95%CI 52.35–64.98), e 15 pacientes (72%) apresentaram melhora funcional, com scores bom ou excelente (média de score de Lysholm 87.61 ± 8.81, 95%CI 83.60–91.63) após o período de follow-up. A média pré-operatória do ângulo de flexão do joelho foi de 25.04 ± 9.15 graus (95%CI 20.88–29.21) e diminuiu para 4.28 ± 4.18 graus (95CI% 2.38 – 6.19). Nenhum paciente apresentou complicações relacionadas ao procedimento Conclusão: baseado em nossos resultados, nós concluímos que a capsulotomia posterior do joelho parece ser um procedimento seguro e efetivo para tratar adequadamente pacientes com joelhos dolorosos secundários a contraturas em flexão, com uma baixa taxa de recorrência mesmo após 9.19 anos em média de seguimento. / Background: lack of full extension of the knee is a disabling condition that sometimes needs to be treated invasively by a posterior capsulotomy of the knee, since conservative treatments have been exhaustively attempted. However, it is not clear if the procedure is able to improve anterior symptoms on the knee of patients with flexion contracture and if the full extension acquired can be kept throughout long-time follow-up. Methods: we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 21 patients diagnosed with minimal flexion contracture of the knee who underwent open posterior capsulotomy between 1990 and 2010. After 9.19 ± 6.68 years of follow-up, knee function and mean angle of fixed knee flexion were compared to baseline data and the recurrence rate was estimated. Complications investigated included knee instability and neurovascular damages. Results: all patients (100%) presented with a preoperative Lysholm score classified as poor or fair (mean, 58.66 ± 13.87, 95%CI 52.35–64.98), but 15 patients (72%) experienced an improvement to good or excellent scores (mean, 87.61 ± 8.81, 95%CI 83.60–91.63) after long-time follow-up. The mean preoperative angle of fixed flexion was 25.04 ± 9.15 degrees (95%CI 20.88–29.21) and it decreased to 4.28 ± 4.18 degrees (95CI% 2.38 – 6.19, after the follow-up. Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that posterior capsulotomy of the knee proved to be a safe and effective procedure to treat properly patients with painful knees secondary to lack of full extension with a low rate of recurrence even after a long-term follow-up.

In the diploma thesis ``Early prosaic works of Čapek brothers and the context of pre-war modernism{\crqq} we deal in its first part with the joint prosaic works of the author pair of the Čapek brothers, ie. collections The Garden of Krakonos (transl. Krakonošova zahrada), The Luminious Depths and Other Prose (transl. Zářivé hlubiny a jiné prózy) and Juvenilie. We present comparison of these works and illustrate changes in poetics for each of these short stories. In the course of analysis of the collection The Garden of Krakonos we show its style in inclusion of diverse thoughts, aforisms and short stories which are anecdotically or ephigramatically ratched up with a strong self-reflective accent. With the analysis of the collection The Luminious Depths and Other Prose we point out the aim of the authors to achieve perfect form of novels. The stories are significantly longer and carefully plotted with the central role of an enclosed, complex, and thoughtful events in the past; authors work with the neo-classicistic form here. In the case of the collection Juvenilie we show patterns of this first and by authors themselves not too valued work which was even published post mortem. In their early works it is often obvious that they are only a preparation, a non-satisfying expression of a thought, and a literary concept which calls authors back for future reworkings. In the following part of the diploma thesis we focus on individual prosaic works of Čapek Brother - Josef{\crq}s first work Lelio and Karel{\crq}s first works The Wayside Crosses (transl. Boží muka) and Painful stories (transl. Trapné povídky). We aim to show the change from their previous collaboration to an original and individual form of expression of each of the authors. In the course of analysis of Josef{\crq}s short story Lelio, an example of the ``poetics of loathing{\crqq}, we show the expressivity of description of feelings of a lonely individual, the motives of anxiety, restlessness and sadness, all of which have probably an autobiographical roots. In Karel{\crq}s The Wayside Crosses, most of the stories try to capture only a separate event or even a single state of mind or feeling. The reader is approached with events which are by usual means inexplainable, with the moment when the rational, common life reaches an end and where he finds himself on a cross-section symbolized by the wayside Cross. In the case of Painful stories we analyze a collection of more coherent stories which mark the later style of Karel{\crq}s works. In the conlusion, the diploma thesis deals with the early journalistic activity of both brothers, with their critical artistic acumen. We analyze more deeply their part in organizing the significant collection Almanac 1914 (transl. Almanach na rok 1914) and we aim also for the thematic analysis of poems with which they contributed to the collection. Further, we approach their relationships with other avant-garde artists and authors, and analyze their contribution to the pre-war modernist movement.

Les canaux ASIC3 (« Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3) sont des canaux ioniques excitateurs qui appartiennent à la famille des ASIC (ASIC1-4). Ils sont activés par une acidose extracellulaire et le proton reste jusqu’à présent leur seul activateur endogène. Les ASIC3 sont notamment exprimés dans les neurones sensoriels périphériques innervant la peau, les muscles, les viscères et les articulations. Ils ont été impliqués dans la détection de différents types de douleur, tels que les douleurs inflammatoires, postopératoires et articulaires. Durant ma thèse, j’ai étudié la régulation des canaux ASIC3 et leur implication dans les perceptions sensorielles et douloureuses. La première partie de mon travail de thèse a permis de mettre en évidence pour la première fois de nouveaux activateurs endogènes des canaux ASIC3, différents des protons. En effet, j’ai pu démontrer que des lipides (i.e., la lysophosphatidylcholine et l’acide arachidonique) présents dans les liquides synoviaux issus de patients souffrants de différentes pathologies articulaires douloureuses, étaient capables d’activer les canaux ASIC3 sans acidification extracellulaire. Ces lipides sont capables de générer un comportement douloureux chez les rongeurs, qui implique au moins en partie les canaux ASIC3. Lors de la seconde partie de ma thèse je me suis intéressé à la régulation des canaux ASIC3 par la température. J’ai pu montrer que ces canaux sont activés par une température froide (i.e., 15°C) à pH physiologique. Ces résultats sont renforcés par des expériences de comportement, in vivo, qui montrent une implication d’ASIC3 dans la perception du froid nocif et non nocif. / Acid-Sensing Ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is a member of the ASIC family (ASIC1-4), which are excitatory ion channels activated by extracellular acidosis. Proton remains so far the unique endogenous activator of ASIC. ASIC3 channels are expressed in peripheral sensory neurons which innervate skin, muscles, viscera and joints. In rodents, they have been reported to be involved in the detection of different types of pain, including inflammatory pain, postoperative pain and arthritis. During my thesis, I studied the regulation of ASIC3 channels and their involvement in sensory and painful perceptions. The first part of my thesis project allowed the discovery for the first time of new endogenous activators of ASIC3 channels, which differ from protons. I demonstrated that lipids (i.e., lysophosphatidylcholine and arachidonic acid) present in human painful synovial fluids from patient with different joint pathologies, are able to activate ASIC3 channels without any extracellular acidification. These lipids are able to generate an acute painful behavior in rodents mediated, in a large part, by ASIC3. During the second part of my thesis I was interested by the regulation of ASIC3 channels by temperature. I demonstrated that these channels are activated by cold temperature (i.e., 15°C) at physiological pH. These results are reinforced by behavior experiments, showing an implication of ASIC3 in the perception of noxious and innocuous cold.

De nombreuses études ont analysé l'impact de la douleur chronique sur la qualité de vie. Cependant, aucune n'a vérifié si la qualité de vie d'un individu précédant un épisode de douleur aiguë permettrait d'identifier les personnes qui sont plus à risque de développer une douleur chronique. Le présent mémoire contient un article empirique qui a pour but de répondre à l’hypothèse selon laquelle les patients ayant une moins bonne qualité de vie précédent leur douleur aiguë seront plus susceptibles de développer une chronicisation de leur douleur initiale. Il s'agit d'une étude de cohorte longitudinale prospective avec un suivi post douleur aiguë à trois mois. L'association entre la qualité de vie (sous-échelles du SF-12) et la douleur chronique (indice d'incapacité reliée à la douleur) a été estimée par des rapports de cotes (odds ratio) et leurs intervalles de confiance à 95% calculés via une régression logistique multivariable. Au total, 462 patients ont été recrutés (55 % de femmes, 45 % d’hommes) dans cette étude. Nos résultats démontrent une relation négative entre la qualité de vie et la chronicisation de la douleur. Après ajustement statistique, les dimensions physique (AOR 0,53 IC 95% 0,34-0,83, P 0,006) et mentale (AOR 0,60 IC 95% 0,42-0,84, P 0,003) de la qualité de vie sont associées à la chronicisation de la douleur initiale. Cette étude suggère que les patients ayant une mauvaise qualité de vie avant leur douleur aiguë sont plus susceptibles de développer une chronicisation de leur douleur initiale. La mise en place d'interventions préventives pour les patients ayant une mauvaise qualité de vie, avant un évènement douloureux, pourrait améliorer le pronostic de la douleur aiguë et éviter sa chronicisation. / Many studies have analyzed the impact that chronic pain has on the quality of life. However, no one has verified whether the quality of life of an individual, preceding an episode of acute pain, would allow us to identify people who are at a greater risk of developing chronic pain. This dissertation contains an empirical article that aims to address the hypothesis that patients with a poor quality of life preceding their acute pain will be more likely to develop chronicization of their initial pain. This is a prospective longitudinal cohort study with a three-month longitudinal follow-up. The association between quality of life (SF-12 subscales) and chronic pain (pain disability index) was estimated by odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated by multivariable logistic regression. A total of 462 patients were enrolled (55% female, 45% male) in this study. Our results demonstrate a negative relationship between quality of life and chronicization of pain. After multivariable adjustment, physical (AOR 0.53 95% CI 0.34-0.83, P 0.006) and mental dimension (AOR 0.60 95% CI 0.42-0.84, P 0.003) of quality of life are associated with the chronicization of the initial pain. This study suggests that patients with a poor quality of life preceding their acute pain are more likely to develop chronicization of their initial pain. Implementing preventive interventions for patients with poor quality of life, prior to a painful event, could improve the prognosis of acute pain and avoid its chronicization.

IINTRODUÇÃO: A Cistite Intersticial (CI) ou Síndrome da Bexiga Dolorosa (SBD) é uma síndrome crônica caracterizada pela presença de dor ou desconforto vesical ou pélvico e sintomas miccionais como urgência e aumento da frequência miccional diurna e noturna, na ausência de outra afecção identificável que justifique esses sintomas. Não existe até o momento nenhum teste diagnóstico ou marcador que defina a CI. Desta forma seu diagnóstico é predominantemente clínico, baseado nos sinais e sintomas e dependente da exclusão de outras doenças urológicas. A dificuldade no diagnóstico e no tratamento dessas pacientes reflete o pouco que se sabe sobre sua fisiopatologia e sobre as alterações genéticas presentes na doença. A identificação de marcadores pode proporcionar um melhor entendimento e manejo desses aspectos da síndrome. Na tentativa de identificar marcadores genéticos que possam estar associados a CI, avaliamos a presença de alguns polimorfismos genéticos, os polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNP), no DNA de pacientes com os critérios diagnósticos de CI e comparamos sua prevalência entre as pacientes e também com um grupo controle representativo da população geral. A correlação desses polimorfismos considerando a CI e a intensidade de dor nessas pacientes ainda não foi estudada na literatura. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a presença de polimorfismos (SNP) em amostras de sangue de pacientes com CI e correlacionar a presença dos polimorfismos com o quadro de dor crônica. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 34 pacientes do sexo feminino com diagnóstico de CI de acordo com os critérios do NIDDK e 23 pacientes do grupo controle (mulheres saudáveis apenas com incontinência urinária de esforço). As pacientes com o diagnóstico de CI foram estratificadas em dois grupos de acordo com o grau dos sintomas de dor crônica. Foram selecionados 20 polimorfismos para análise: rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800896, rs1800471, rs1800629, rs361525, rs1800497, rs6311, rs6277, rs6276, rs6313, rs2835859, rs11127292, rs2243248, rs6887695, rs3212227, rs1799971, rs12579350, rs3813034, rs6746030. A genotipagem foi realizada através da técnica de PCR em tempo real (q-PCR) e correlacionada com o diagnóstico de CI e com a intensidade dos sintomas álgicos. RESULTADOS: O alelo polimórfico (T) do SNP rs11127292 foi mais frequente nas pacientes com CI em relação ao grupo controle (p:0,01). O alelo polimórfico (T) do SNP rs6311 foi significativamente mais frequente nas pacientes com dor mais intensa (p:0,03). A frequência do alelo selvagem (A) do SNP rs1799971 foi maior em pacientes com dor leve a moderada (p:0,04). CONCLUSÕES: Foram identificadas algumas diferenças na frequência dos polimorfismos nas pacientes estudadas, o que sugere a existência de um papel relevante dos SNP associados tanto à CI quando na intensidade dos sintomas de dor crônica nestas pacientes / INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis (IC) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by the presence of bladder/pelvic pain or discomfort and voiding symptoms such as urgency and increased urinary waking and night-time frequency in the absence of another identifiable cause to justify these symptoms. So far, there is no diagnostic test or marker to establish the presence of IC. Thus, the diagnosis is predominantly clinical, based on signs and symptoms and dependent on the exclusion of other urological diseases. The difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients reflects the little that is known about IC physiopathology and about the genetic background of the disease. The identification of new markers may provide a better understanding and management of the syndrome. As an attempt to identify genetic markers that may be associated with IC, we evaluated the presence of some genetic polymorphisms, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in the DNA of patients with the diagnostic criteria of IC, and we compared their prevalence among IC patients and with a control group representative of the general population. The correlation of these polymorphisms considering IC and pain intensity in these patients has not been studied in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of polymorphisms (SNPs) in blood samples from IC patients and to correlate the presence of polymorphisms with chronic pain. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients with a diagnosis of IC according to the NIDDK criteria and 23 control subjects (healthy women with stress urinary incontinence) were selected. Patients with the diagnosis of IC were stratified into two groups according to the degree of symptoms of chronic pain. We selected 20 polymorphisms for analysis: rs1800871, rs1800876, rs1800471, rs1800629, rs361525, rs1800497, rs6311, rs6277, rs6276, rs6313, rs2835859, rs11127292, rs2243248, rs6887695, rs3212227, rs1799971, rs12579350, rs3813034, rs6746030. Genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR technique (q-PCR) and correlated with the diagnosis of IC and intensity of pain symptoms. RESULTS: The polymorphic allele (T) of the SNP rs11127292 occurred with more frequency in patients with IC compared to the control group (p= 0.01). The polymorphic allele (T) of SNP rs6311 occurred with more frequency in patients with severe pain (p= 0.03). The frequency of wild-type (A) SNP rs1799971 was higher in patients with mild to moderate pain (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The results indicated differences in polymorphism frequency in the patients studied, suggesting the existence of a relevant role of SNPs associated with both IC and intensity of chronic pain symptoms in these patients

Unresolved painful emotional experiences such as bereavement, trauma and disturbances in core relationships, are common presenting problems for clients of psychodrama or psychotherapy more generally. Emotional pain is experienced as a shattering of the sense of self and disconnection from others and, when unresolved, produces avoidant responses which inhibit the healing process. There is agreement across therapeutic modalities that exposure to emotional experience can increase the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Moreno proposes that the activation of spontaneity is the primary curative factor in psychodrama and that healing occurs when the protagonist (client) engages with his or her wider social system and develops greater flexibility in response to that system. An extensive case-report literature describes the application of the psychodrama method in healing unresolved painful emotional experiences, but there is limited empirical research to verify the efficacy of the method or to identify the processes that are linked to therapeutic change. The purpose of this current research was to construct a model of protagonist change processes that could extend psychodrama theory, inform practitioners’ therapeutic decisions and contribute to understanding the common factors in therapeutic change. Four studies investigated protagonist processes linked to in-session resolution of painful emotional experiences. Significant therapeutic events were analysed using recordings and transcripts of psychodrama enactments, protagonist and director recall interviews and a range of process and outcome measures. A preliminary study (3 cases) identified four themes that were associated with helpful therapeutic events: enactment, the working alliance with the director and with group members, emotional release or relief and social atom repair. The second study (7 cases) used Comprehensive Process Analysis (CPA) to construct a model of protagonists’ processes linked to in-session resolution. This model was then validated across four more cases in Study 3. Five meta-processes were identified: (i) a readiness to engage in the psychodrama process; (ii) re-experiencing and insight; (iii) activating resourcefulness; (iv) social atom repair with emotional release and (v) integration. Social atom repair with emotional release involved deeply experiencing a wished-for interpersonal experience accompanied by a free flowing release of previously restricted emotion and was most clearly linked to protagonists’ reports of reaching resolution and to post session improvements in interpersonal relationships and sense of self. Acceptance of self in the moment increased protagonists’ capacity to generate new responses within each meta-process and, in resolved cases, there was evidence of spontaneity developing over time. The fourth study tested Greenberg’s allowing and accepting painful emotional experience model as an alternative explanation of protagonist change. The findings of this study suggested that while the process of allowing emotional pain was present in resolved cases, Greenberg’s model was not sufficient to explain the processes that lead to in-session resolution. The protagonist’s readiness to engage and activation of resourcefulness appear to facilitate the transition from problem identification to emotional release. Furthermore, experiencing a reparative relationship was found to be central to the healing process. This research verifies that there can be in-session resolution of painful emotional experience during psychodrama and protagonists’ reports suggest that in-session resolution can heal the damage to the sense of self and the interpersonal disconnection that are associated with unresolved emotional pain. A model of protagonist change processes has been constructed that challenges the view of psychodrama as a primarily cathartic therapy, by locating the therapeutic experience of emotional release within the development of new role relationships. The five meta-processes which are described within the model suggest broad change principles which can assist practitioners to make sense of events as they unfold and guide their clinical decision making in the moment. Each meta-process was linked to specific post-session changes, so that the model can inform the development of therapeutic plans for individual clients and can aid communication for practitioners when a psychodrama intervention is used for a specific therapeutic purpose within a comprehensive program of therapy.

IINTRODUÇÃO: A Cistite Intersticial (CI) ou Síndrome da Bexiga Dolorosa (SBD) é uma síndrome crônica caracterizada pela presença de dor ou desconforto vesical ou pélvico e sintomas miccionais como urgência e aumento da frequência miccional diurna e noturna, na ausência de outra afecção identificável que justifique esses sintomas. Não existe até o momento nenhum teste diagnóstico ou marcador que defina a CI. Desta forma seu diagnóstico é predominantemente clínico, baseado nos sinais e sintomas e dependente da exclusão de outras doenças urológicas. A dificuldade no diagnóstico e no tratamento dessas pacientes reflete o pouco que se sabe sobre sua fisiopatologia e sobre as alterações genéticas presentes na doença. A identificação de marcadores pode proporcionar um melhor entendimento e manejo desses aspectos da síndrome. Na tentativa de identificar marcadores genéticos que possam estar associados a CI, avaliamos a presença de alguns polimorfismos genéticos, os polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNP), no DNA de pacientes com os critérios diagnósticos de CI e comparamos sua prevalência entre as pacientes e também com um grupo controle representativo da população geral. A correlação desses polimorfismos considerando a CI e a intensidade de dor nessas pacientes ainda não foi estudada na literatura. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a presença de polimorfismos (SNP) em amostras de sangue de pacientes com CI e correlacionar a presença dos polimorfismos com o quadro de dor crônica. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 34 pacientes do sexo feminino com diagnóstico de CI de acordo com os critérios do NIDDK e 23 pacientes do grupo controle (mulheres saudáveis apenas com incontinência urinária de esforço). As pacientes com o diagnóstico de CI foram estratificadas em dois grupos de acordo com o grau dos sintomas de dor crônica. Foram selecionados 20 polimorfismos para análise: rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800896, rs1800471, rs1800629, rs361525, rs1800497, rs6311, rs6277, rs6276, rs6313, rs2835859, rs11127292, rs2243248, rs6887695, rs3212227, rs1799971, rs12579350, rs3813034, rs6746030. A genotipagem foi realizada através da técnica de PCR em tempo real (q-PCR) e correlacionada com o diagnóstico de CI e com a intensidade dos sintomas álgicos. RESULTADOS: O alelo polimórfico (T) do SNP rs11127292 foi mais frequente nas pacientes com CI em relação ao grupo controle (p:0,01). O alelo polimórfico (T) do SNP rs6311 foi significativamente mais frequente nas pacientes com dor mais intensa (p:0,03). A frequência do alelo selvagem (A) do SNP rs1799971 foi maior em pacientes com dor leve a moderada (p:0,04). CONCLUSÕES: Foram identificadas algumas diferenças na frequência dos polimorfismos nas pacientes estudadas, o que sugere a existência de um papel relevante dos SNP associados tanto à CI quando na intensidade dos sintomas de dor crônica nestas pacientes / INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis (IC) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by the presence of bladder/pelvic pain or discomfort and voiding symptoms such as urgency and increased urinary waking and night-time frequency in the absence of another identifiable cause to justify these symptoms. So far, there is no diagnostic test or marker to establish the presence of IC. Thus, the diagnosis is predominantly clinical, based on signs and symptoms and dependent on the exclusion of other urological diseases. The difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients reflects the little that is known about IC physiopathology and about the genetic background of the disease. The identification of new markers may provide a better understanding and management of the syndrome. As an attempt to identify genetic markers that may be associated with IC, we evaluated the presence of some genetic polymorphisms, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in the DNA of patients with the diagnostic criteria of IC, and we compared their prevalence among IC patients and with a control group representative of the general population. The correlation of these polymorphisms considering IC and pain intensity in these patients has not been studied in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of polymorphisms (SNPs) in blood samples from IC patients and to correlate the presence of polymorphisms with chronic pain. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients with a diagnosis of IC according to the NIDDK criteria and 23 control subjects (healthy women with stress urinary incontinence) were selected. Patients with the diagnosis of IC were stratified into two groups according to the degree of symptoms of chronic pain. We selected 20 polymorphisms for analysis: rs1800871, rs1800876, rs1800471, rs1800629, rs361525, rs1800497, rs6311, rs6277, rs6276, rs6313, rs2835859, rs11127292, rs2243248, rs6887695, rs3212227, rs1799971, rs12579350, rs3813034, rs6746030. Genotyping was performed using the real-time PCR technique (q-PCR) and correlated with the diagnosis of IC and intensity of pain symptoms. RESULTS: The polymorphic allele (T) of the SNP rs11127292 occurred with more frequency in patients with IC compared to the control group (p= 0.01). The polymorphic allele (T) of SNP rs6311 occurred with more frequency in patients with severe pain (p= 0.03). The frequency of wild-type (A) SNP rs1799971 was higher in patients with mild to moderate pain (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The results indicated differences in polymorphism frequency in the patients studied, suggesting the existence of a relevant role of SNPs associated with both IC and intensity of chronic pain symptoms in these patients