Table 2. Variables Considered in the Investigation and Restrictions Imposed to the Optimization Procedure, i.e., Minimum and Maximum Values and Minimum and Maximum Increases When a New Regimen is Identified by the Optimization Procedure
The figures concern the basal epidural infusion and do not consider the extra epidural boluses given in case of inadequate analgesia. Increases were defined for each variable as the difference between the new calculated value in the optimization procedure and the average of the values of the three best regimens. A minimum increase was defined to avoid an increase in the variable produced by the optimization model that would be so small that a high number of steps would be necessary to reach the optimal analgesic effect. The maximum increase was aimed at preventing an excessive increase in the variable, with possible occurrence of complications. See Methods section and Appendix for a description of the optimization procedure.