Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found a new target for treating chronic pain by targeting the enzyme PIP5K1C. By reducing the level of this enzyme, they showed that the levels of a crucial lipid called PIP2 in pain-sensing neurons is also lessened, thus decreasing pain.
A new online training module improved medical student clinical skills in evaluating chronic pain, with 93% of exposed students passing an exam compared to 60% of non-exposed students. The module is the first curriculum resource created through the NIH Pain Consortium's Centers of Excellence in Pain Education program.
A study published in Pain journal found a genetic link between four common chronic pain syndromes, including IBS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, and dry eye disease. The research team analyzed over 8,000 twin pairs and concluded that each of the conditions is heritable, with a common genetic pathway estimated to be 66% heritable.
A study found that certain genes, such as DRD1 and COMT, are associated with low, moderate, or high pain perception. The discovery may lead to new therapies and better understanding of chronic pain.
Researchers at King's College London have identified new pain relief targets that could help chemotherapy patients who suffer from persistent pain. The discovery was made by investigating how pain occurs in nerves and found that the immune system plays a key role in causing pain.
A study by the University of Warwick found that sleep quality is a key driver of daytime physical activity in chronic pain patients. Engaging in physical activity can be a crucial treatment process for managing chronic pain. By improving sleep quality, sufferers may overcome their motivation to stay inactive due to pain.
Chronic pain researchers found that individuals with chronic tension-type headache exhibited impaired neuroplasticity, affecting their brain's ability to change and adapt. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for patients.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new treatment method for phantom limb pain, using muscle signals from the amputated arm stump to drive an augmented reality system. The patient experienced drastically reduced pain and was no longer awakened by intense periods of pain at night.
Researchers have developed a new method to treat phantom limb pain, using muscle signals from the arm stump to drive an augmented reality system. The patient's pain was drastically reduced, and he now experiences periods of complete relief.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, with low back pain and degenerative joint processes being common causes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not effective in many chronic pain scenarios, but antidepressants and anticonvulsants can provide remarkable relief.
A comprehensive review by the American Psychological Association highlights psychologists' expertise in addressing chronic pain. Successful treatment approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and hypnosis, which offer more relief than prescription drugs or surgery.
Researchers found that non-restorative sleep is a strong predictor of widespread pain onset among adults over 50. Anxiety and poor physical health also increase the risk of developing widespread pain. The study suggests combined interventions for both site-specific and widespread pain are needed for older adults.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that seven out of ten teenagers reported chronic pain, with depressed girls experiencing the highest rate. The researchers emphasize the importance of treating physical pain alongside mental health issues.
Researchers at University of Utah developed Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, reducing opioid misuse and pain-related impairment in chronic pain patients. The new treatment combines mindfulness training, reappraisal, and savoring to address underlying processes involved in chronic pain and opioid misuse.
A new drug treatment has been found to be effective against chronic pain caused by nerve damage, including post-herpetic neuralgia. Fifty-eight per cent of participants taking the drug found it effective, reducing pain by at least 30 per cent.
A study found remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia to be less effective in managing pain relief during labor compared to epidural analgesia. The study, which involved 709 women, showed that patients who received remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia had lower pain appreciation scores and overall satisfaction with pain relief.
Scientists have identified a 'brake' ion channel TREK2 in sensory neurons that limits spontaneous pain by stabilizing membrane potential. This discovery may lead to new pain relief treatments for conditions like neuropathic pain.
A new study reveals that persistent musculoskeletal pain is common among car crash victims, affecting nearly 70% six weeks post-accident. Most victims who develop persistent pain do not sue, with only a minority engaged in litigation.
A study published in Nature Chemical Biology found that a molecular switch in the nerves responsible for detecting pain can 'short-circuit', intensifying pain. This alternative pathway activates the pain nerves, increasing the sensation of pain.
A study published in the journal Pain found that individual differences in grey matter in certain brain regions are related to pain sensitivity. People with higher default mode activity and better attention control tend to have reduced sensitivity to pain.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, have identified a new natural compound in a traditional Chinese medicine plant that relieves chronic pain. The compound, dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), acts on dopamine receptors and shows promise for treating low-level chronic pain without losing effectiveness over time.
A voxel-based morphometry study reveals regional gray matter volume abnormalities in chronic back pain patients compared to upper back pain patients. Gray matter atrophy affects perception and modulation of chronic pain, with subcortical increases found only in low back pain patients.
Researchers found that chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, and depression were linked to persistent pain in breast cancer patients 12 months post-surgery. The study included over 800 women with nonmetastasized breast cancer treated between 2006-2010.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) have identified a new technique that reduces postoperative pain in children following high-risk urology surgeries, resulting in less need for pain medicine. The study evaluates continuous infusion of local anesthesia using the ON-Q pain relief system and shows promising results.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital validated the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) as an accurate measure of pain level in non-verbal cardiac surgery patients. The study found that CPOT provides a reliable tool for pain assessment, improving patient outcomes such as reduced ventilator use and better pain management.
A study found that 52.9% of older adults in the US have experienced bothersome pain, with multiple sites common among those with pain. Pain is strongly associated with decreased physical capacity, including weaker muscle strength and slower walking speed.
Research published in PLOS Computational Biology found that people prefer to hasten painful stimuli over waiting for it, as anticipation can be more disabling than the pain. The study suggests that focusing on immediate pain reduces dread, while considering future pain increases it.
Researchers used brain imaging to track pregabalin's effects on fibromyalgia patients, finding reduced glutamate levels and decreased insula connectivity. This study suggests a future of targeted brain imaging approaches for chronic widespread pain treatment.
A study by CU-Boulder researchers found that using morphine to treat post-operative pain after abdominal surgery can actually prolong recovery time and increase suffering. The scientists discovered that both morphine and the surgery itself activate glial cells, leading to additional pain signals.
Research suggests that fibromyalgia is associated with disrupted brain signals for reward and punishment, contributing to hyperalgesia. Fibromyalgia patients exhibit altered brain responses to pain anticipation and relief, which may explain the heightened sensitivity to pain and lack of effectiveness of pain medications.
Research by Tel Aviv University researchers shows that torture survivors experience diminished pain inhibition and heightened pain excitation, leading to dysfunctional pain regulation. Non-physical forms of torture, such as psychological oppression and humiliation, may also contribute to chronic pain and poor pain regulation.
A study found that congenitally blind subjects have lower heat pain thresholds and increased sensitivity to cold pain stimuli compared to sighted individuals. This suggests a permanent state of pain hypersensitivity due to the absence of visual cues, which allows for immediate detection and avoidance of potentially hazardous situations.
Researchers develop a new molecule combining elements of Botox and tetanus toxin to alleviate inflammatory pain, offering potential relief for chronic pain conditions and epilepsy. The engineered molecule could improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain with a single injection providing prolonged pain relief.
Researchers investigated the characteristics of hemiplegic shoulder pain post-stroke and found that early onset and specific diagnosis types can reduce pain management efficacy. Comprehensive rehabilitation and electroacupuncture are more effective in alleviating shoulder subluxation pain. The study provides valuable insights for diagn...
Researchers analyzed conversations between chronic pain patients and their physicians about opioid treatment, revealing three patterns of physician responses: reassurance, avoidance, and gathering information. The study emphasizes the crucial role of a strong therapeutic alliance in discussing risks and benefits of opioid treatment.
A new Pain and Interoception Imaging Network (PAIN) will feature hundreds of brain scans and clinical information to tease out similarities and differences between chronic-pain conditions. The database aims to improve research and treatment development for conditions like migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study found that bariatric surgery led to greater chronic opioid use in patients with chronic pain, regardless of pre-surgery depression or chronic pain diagnoses. Weight loss after surgery did not reduce opioid use for these patients.
Researchers used brain scans to find an anatomical marker for chronic pain in the brain, which may lead to changes in treatment. The study found a consistent difference in white matter between subjects who recovered and those with persistent pain.
New research from Northwestern University predicts chronic back pain after lower back injuries based on abnormalities in brain structure connections. The study found that specific irregularities in the axons of the brain's white matter can trigger chronic pain with high accuracy, offering new hope for early treatment and prevention.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women with acute coronary syndromes are more likely to present without chest pain, despite it being the most common symptom for both sexes. The study also showed that women without chest pain had fewer symptoms overall compared to those with chest pain.
A study published in Medical Care reports a sharp increase in opioid prescribing for non-cancer pain, while safer alternatives like ibuprofen and acetaminophen have either stayed flat or declined. The study highlights the need for re-evaluation of pain treatment approaches that prioritize non-opioid and non-pharmacologic treatments.
A new study finds no improvement in pain treatment with rising opioid prescriptions, despite efforts to increase awareness and alternative treatments. Non-opioid analgesics have plateaued or declined in many cases.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide found that codeine provides less pain relief than morphine but increases sensitivity to pain equally. This could be a problem for individuals with chronic pain who need ongoing medication, highlighting the need for further research and potential alternatives.
Research suggests that patients' chronic pain affects their spouses' emotional well-being and marital satisfaction, leading to compromised sleep quality. In close relationships, the greater a patient's pain, the less refreshing the sleep for the spouse.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million US residents, costing $635 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. To address this issue, physicians must consider the psychological, social, and cultural contexts of their patients, as well as medication risks and benefits.
Neuropathic pain is a daily reality for millions of Americans, but researchers have found a way to protect GABA neurons from oxidative stress, which may help alleviate the condition. By using an antioxidant compound, scientists were able to lower pain behavior and preserve GABA neuron populations.
A randomized controlled trial found that over 50% of children who received a topical analgesic experienced no pain during wound repair with tissue adhesive. The study suggested early application of the analgesic to all minor cuts may decrease children's pain during these procedures.
Researchers found significant reductions in pain severity (20%) and pain interference (30%) in patients after 24 weeks of integrative care. Integrative medicine interventions also showed improvements in mood, stress, quality of life, fatigue, sleep, and well-being.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that over 25% of children with cerebral palsy suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain, limiting their activity. Pediatricians should focus on identifying and treating the underlying causes of pain to improve health and quality of life for these children.
A new study suggests that testosterone therapy can reduce pain perception and tolerance in men with low testosterone levels caused by opioid pain relievers. The study found significant improvements in pain sensitivity during laboratory pain testing after testosterone administration compared to placebo.
A study found that patients with COPD experience chronic pain comparable to those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with higher use of opioids. The researchers also noted a significant impact on quality of life and healthcare costs.
Researchers at UTMB are using gene therapy to target the serotonin 2C receptor in the amygdala to prevent abnormal pain generation and treatment resistance. They aim to develop a permanent solution to neuropathic pain, which affects millions of Americans.
A new study has identified a genetic risk factor for persistent pain after traumatic events, such as motor vehicle collisions and sexual assaults. The research found that variation in the gene encoding for the protein FKBP5 is associated with a higher risk of moderate to severe neck pain six weeks after a motor vehicle collision.
The University of Washington School of Medicine's Division of Pain Medicine is developing leading-edge technologies to improve care for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and chronic pain. The grant will support provider education, clinical care guidelines, and outcomes-based research.
Cryoneurolysis, a new interventional radiology treatment, safely short circuits chronic pain caused by nerve damage. After treatment, patients experienced significant lasting pain relief and were able to reduce or eliminate pain medication use.
Scientists have developed a way to predict pain levels by analyzing brain scan patterns, with accuracy of 90-100%. This breakthrough may lead to the development of reliable methods for doctors to objectively quantify patient pain. The study also explores potential applications in measuring anxiety, depression, and other emotional states.
Researchers found chronic pain to be a common complication of ischemic strokes, associated with greater decline in physical and cognitive function. Significant risk factors for post-stroke pain include increased severity of stroke, female gender, and vascular disease.
A new Hong Kong-based study suggests that targeting feelings of mental defeat can prevent severe depression, anxiety, and daily activity interference among chronic pain patients. Mental defeat occurs when pain is viewed as an 'enemy' taking over life and autonomy.
A pilot study assesses the Primary Practice Physician Program for Chronic Pain (4PCP) and its impact on patients with chronic pain. The program improves symptoms, including reduced pain, fatigue, and depression, as well as boosts physician confidence and efficiency.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study finds that childhood socioeconomic disadvantages and maternal depression increase the risk of major depression and chronic pain in working-aged adults. Hunger experienced in childhood can lead to chronic pain and depression later in life.