
Polyethylene Glycol to Improve Sensation Following Digital Nerve Laceration
Peripheral Nerve InjuryNerve InjuryPEG is a fusogen, a type of chemical that aids in mediating cell fusion. PEG helps nerve cells recover neuronal continuity by removing plasmalemmal-bound water which opens the axonal ends on both sides of the injury. Opening axonal ends permits the nerve ends to reconnect and begin regeneration. PEG has been tested on animal models extensively and in earthworm models has been shown to induce fusion rates in 80-100% of neuronal cells. In crushed or severed mammalian sciatic nerves PEG has enhanced neuronal continuity to baseline functioning levels. Human applications for PEG have been tested by Bamba and colleagues in a case series with encouraging results. No studies, to our knowledge, have prospectively examined the use of PEG in peripheral nerve injuries. We propose a placebo controlled, double-blinded randomized controlled trial to test the hypothesis that local PEG administration can enhance sensory nerve regeneration following digital nerve transection compared to surgery alone.

Effects of Hydrotherapy on Neuropathic Pain and Pain Catastrophization in Spinal Cord Injury
Neuropathic PainSpinal Cord InjuriesSpinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a spinal cord injury of traumatic origin with its main etiology being violence, which constitutes one of the greatest social and health problems worldwide. One of the complications with the greatest impact in people with SCI is Neuropathic Pain (NP). Pain, mainly chronic pain, has an effect on emotional states, cognition regarding pain and anticipation which leads to the catastrophization of the pain. This form of pain is related to chronic diseases that develop with pain of poor prognosis and are detrimental to quality of life therefore having enormous impacts on health systems. The physiological mechanisms of Hydrotherapy on pain are clear and there is evidence of its use in the management of painful syndromes of difficult treatments such as that for fibromyalgia and chronic lumbar pain, as well as its positive effect on pain perception. However, the effects of hydrotherapy on the NP of patients with SCI are unknown. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of parallel groups. A randomized sequence will be carried out in balanced blocks to assign the intervention (Hydrotherapy) or the control (Standard Physical Therapy), to a sample of 28 participants, 14 for each group. Each of the interventions (hydrotherapy and physical therapy) will last 9 weeks, for a total of 18 sessions (2 weekly sessions). Two measurements will be made, baseline (pre-intervention) and a second time one month after the end of the intervention. The validated Spanish scales will be used: NP-4 (NP Screening), Numerical Pain Scale (END), PCS (Pain Catastrophization), SF-36 (Health-related quality of life) and WHODAS 2.0 (Disability). The primary outcome is the level of NP and its catastrophization, and the secondary outcomes are level of disability and quality of life. With 28 participants fully measured, it is possible to have 80% power to find differences between the groups with respect to the primary outcomes. All information will be analyzed using average comparisons with 95% confidence. The analysis will be carried out by Intention to Treat (ITT) taking all the randomized participants. Missing data will be processed through multiple imputation chains. Generalized mixed linear models will be used comparing the standardized baseline and post-intervention averages of each group and between each group, obtaining 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Subgroup analysis will be performed adjusting confounders and interactions. A significant difference will be considered when the value of p is less than 0.05. Cohen´s D will be calculated to identify the size of the intervention effect. Discussion: The results will reflect the effect of the hydrotherapy on NP in patients with SCI. They will also permit the identification of potential changes in functionality levels or quality of life in the intervened population.

A Trial to Evaluate the Combination Efficacy of Artificial Dermis and Growth Factor in Chronic Wounds...
Chronic WoundDouble layer artificial dermis repair material has been widely used in scar plastic, burn, trauma, chronic wounds and other aspects of wound repair and reconstruction. In the course of clinical application, we found that for chronic wounds, the combination of artificial dermis and growth factor can shorten the wound healing cycle, and have a positive impact on the economy and psychology of patients. In order to verify this effect, we plan to carry out this study to evaluate whether double-layer artificial dermis repair material combined with growth factor treatment can improve wound closure rate and shorten closure cycle compared with single artificial dermis for chronic wound.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Intercostal Nerve Block vs Thoracic Epidural for Regional Analgesia in Multiple...
TraumaTrauma Injury2 moreManagement of traumatic rib fractures continues to be a challenge for trauma surgeons. Currently, many analgesic options are available to patients suffering from rib fractures. Formulations currently used for conventional intercostal nerve blocks (CINB) are relatively safe, do not require additional equipment or specialized anesthesia personnel, do not require catheter repositioning, and provide improved analgesia immediately over the aforementioned systemic therapies. A goal of these authors to introduce an additional safe option for extended local analgesia in the setting of multiple rib fractures given the inconclusive evidence supporting or refuting the current standard of care

Vibration for Muscle Spasms After Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesThis study uses closed-loop control of tendon vibration to implement clinically meaningful management of muscle spasms after spinal cord injury (SCI), and to understand the mechanisms responsible for spasm generation change in response to vibration.

Healing Nipple Wounds: Comparison Between 2 Treatment Modalities
Nipple WoundsIt is widely accepted that breast milk is the optimal source of infant nutrition. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of infant life, many women discontinue breastfeeding as a result of perceived difficulties. In Israel, 88.4% of mothers declare about their intentions to breastfeed. Only 70.9% are still breastfeeding 2 months postpartum. Nipple pain is a highly prevalent, significant reason for breastfeeding cessation. In the past, we encouraged wound healing nipples by drying (air drying; sun; other heat source). It turned out that this drying only delays the healing due to lack of moisture, causing cracks in the outer layer of the nipple. Today, nipple wound care needs treatment approaches consistent with wounds treatment in other body parts (moist wound healing), and which also addresses reduction of pain. Studies have shown that the preservation of moisture accelerates healing and allows epithelization. In the past couple of years, the Nursicare therapeutic breastfeeding pads have become a commonly used option for sore nipples. Nursicare pads enhance moist wound healing and soothe traumatized tissues, localize the inflammation, reducing wound pain and providing comfort at the wound site. This solution seems to be more efficient, and pads can be removed with virtually no pain and no remnants on the nipple that might cause concerns for allergic reaction for the infant. In this clinical trial we attempt to compare between the 2 treatments: Lanolin ointment and Nursicare therapeutic breast pads among postpartum mothers dealing with sore nipples and to examine the effectiveness of each treatment for short term (period till primary pain relief) and long term (total period for wound closure). Study hypothesis is that Nursicare provides better pain relief and faster healing that Lanolin. Method The trial will include postpartum mothers in Laniado Hospital in Natanya and mother from "Halav M" breastfeeding clinic in Olesh, Israel who had complained of nipple pain with any sign of nipple trauma to one or both nipples. The participants will be randomly selected to each group: Treatment with the Nursicare therapeutic breastfeeding pads. Treatment with application of Lanolin. A total number of participants: At least 50 mothers randomly chosen to each group will be recruited for this trial (p). Randomization will be based on natural arrival sequence - where every other mother will be placed on 'Nursicare group' and the alternate every other mother will be placed in 'control/Lanoline group). The only exception for this is when a certain treatment is already started - in those cases the patient will continue that treatment and compensation will be done to the sequence of allocation process.

tDCS in Patients With Disorder of Consciousness Due to Severe Acquired Brain Injury
Consciousness DisordersBrain Injuries3 moreThe present observational study is aimed at reporting the short-, mid- and long-term outcomes of patients with Disorder of Consciousness (DOC), in Vegetative State (VS) or Minimally Conscious State (MCS), due to a severe Acquired Brain Injury (sABI), after repeated treatments with anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (L-DLPFC), to stimulate recovery of consciousness. The results obtained will also be compared with those of a historical control cohort, before the introduction of tDCS, matched for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Efficacy and Safety of Nerve Growth Factor or Edaravone on Alcohol-induced Brain Injury
Alcohol-induced Brain InjuryAlcohol is one of most common harmful substance, and alcohol intake brings great burden on health worldwide. Excess alcohol intake may lead to alcohol-related brain injuries and cognitive impairment. Although both nerve growth factor and antioxidative treatment were effective to relieve alcohol-related injuries in central nervous system in the preclinical studies, there is no relevant clinical trial about their efficacy and safety on patients. Since nerve growth factor and one of the antioxidative medication, edaravone, have been used in some neural diseases in clinical trials, we tend to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nerve growth factor, or edaravone on alcohol-induced brain injuries. The study is a randomized-controlled study and the patients will be assigned into one of the following three groups randomly: (1) regular treatment (combination of vitamin B1, B6, C, E and mecobalamine) with nerve growth factor for 2 weeks and subsequently regular treatment for 6 months; (2) regular treatment (RT) with edaravone for 2 weeks and subsequently RT for 6 months; (3) RT alone for 6 months. The patients will be followed up for 6 months. Cognitive functions, recurrence of alcohol dependence, duration of abstention, alcohol intake, craving for alcohol and other psychological assessments will be recorded and compared among the 3 treatment groups and the efficacy of nerve growth factor or edaravone will be evaluated in our study.

Impact of Topical Antiadhesion Therapy on Wound Healing and Postoperative Pain After Anal Surgery...
Anal Wound2QR-complex is a patented molecule extracted from Aloe vera barbadensis leaves that blocks the adhesion of pathogenic microbes to human epithelial cells and tissues [9]. Anti-adhesion therapy such as 2QR-complex has been suggested as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. 2QR-complex based products have already shown comparable efficacy to antibiotics in treating mucosal infections such as bacterial vaginosis. In the present study we aim to assess the efficacy of 2QR-complex in pain relief and promotion of anal wound healing after anal surgery. We presumed that anal discomfort and prolonged healing after surgery for anal fissure, fistula, and hemorrhoids may in part be due to contamination of the wound with fecal bacteria that colonize at the surgical site. Therefore, we assumed that the use of topical anti-adhesive 2QR-complex-based product may serve to minimize this negative impact on wound healing.

Online Memory Intervention for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain InjuriesTraumatic4 moreThis study will examine the behavioural and neurophysiological efficacy and feasibility of an online spatial navigation intervention for improving memory and brain health in individuals who have sustained moderate-severe traumatic brain injury.