Researchers found Botox injections significantly improve chronic pain control in patients with CRPS, while breast reduction surgery reduces lower back stress. Increased testing of removed tissue may lead to higher cancer detection rates in older breast reduction patients.
A recent study published in Pain Medicine found that women veterans are less likely to report pain compared to their male counterparts. The study, which analyzed data from over 153,000 veterans, revealed that female veterans were more likely to report moderate-severe pain but less likely to experience persistent pain.
The new centre will investigate mechanisms of pain in arthritis, develop new treatments, and target individual patients. Researchers will use a multi-disciplinary approach to gain a better understanding of how people experience pain.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine developed an integrated treatment program combining cognitive processing therapy for PTSD and cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain management. The pilot study found significant benefits in reducing symptoms of PTSD and chronic pain among veterans.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that infant pain can lead to altered brain processing of pain in adulthood. Infants who spent time in the NICU show increased opioid levels and decreased mu and delta opioid receptors, affecting pain medication efficacy.
A recent study found that healthcare staff and relatives struggle to accurately diagnose pain levels in nursing home residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments. The researchers recommend increasing education on non-drug pain management strategies, such as massage, mobility, and music therapy, to improve care.
Chronic pain affects 80% of those living with it, and up to 10% gain access to effective treatments; a national strategy is long overdue to address the issue's significant economic and personal burden.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found that people with persistent pain develop functional limitations at an earlier age than those without pain. The study revealed that individuals with pain have higher rates of mobility limitations and are more likely to experience disability.
A head-to-head study confirms Instanyl's superiority over oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) in managing breakthrough cancer pain. Instanyl demonstrated significant pain relief at all time points, with patients preferring its ease of administration and faster onset of action.
The first results of the European survey show that breakthrough cancer pain episodes are frequent, short-lived, and intensely painful, with 96% described as moderate to severe. The study suggests that fast-acting pain relief routes like intranasal opioids could be more effective for BTCP, improving patient compliance.
A randomized controlled study found that laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) did not improve chronic pelvic pain, painful menstruation or quality of life compared to laparoscopic surgery without pelvic denervation. The study involved 487 women with chronic pelvic pain and followed them for up to five years.
A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that post-treatment pain in head and neck cancer patients is associated with a lower five-year survival rate and increased risk of recurrence. Pain was also linked to age, general health conditions, and treatment modality.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used brain imaging to study the effects of acupuncture on chronic pain. They found that traditional Chinese acupuncture increases binding availability of mu-opoid receptors in regions processing and dampening pain signals, leading to reduced pain levels.
A new study by The George Institute for International Health found Tai Chi to have positive effects on improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers. Researchers are now conducting a trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen in people with chronic low back pain.
A combined pharmacological and behavioral intervention improved depression and pain in patients with musculoskeletal pain and co-existing depression. The intervention significantly reduced symptoms of both conditions at 12 months.
Chronic ankle pain is a common issue that may not resolve on its own after an initial injury. Tendon injuries to the peroneal tendons are now recognized as a possible cause of chronic pain. Early diagnosis and treatment can alleviate symptoms, and imaging techniques like MRI or ultrasound can help identify the condition.
The HJF has released the Military Advanced Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Handbook, providing education on advanced battlefield regional anesthesia techniques and acute pain medicine. The handbook aims to manage the pain of combat trauma and is intended for use by deployed medical forces.
A new standardized tool for assessing chronic pain has been developed and validated to differentiate between peripheral neuropathic pain and non-neuropathic low back pain. The tool, called STEP, takes just 10-15 minutes to administer and has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy.
A simple bedside test developed by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers accurately distinguishes neuropathic pain from other types of chronic back pain. The Standardized Evaluation of Pain (StEP) assessment is a low-tech approach that outperforms existing screening tests and even MR imaging in identifying underlying pain mechanisms.
A study published in the journal Pain found oxycodone to be an effective treatment for acute shingles pain, with patients experiencing a significant reduction in pain levels. The medication was more than twice as effective as a placebo in reducing pain, making it a promising option for treating this debilitating condition.
A collaborative care intervention improved pain-related disability and intensity in patients with chronic noncancer pain compared to usual care. The program, which included patient and clinician education and symptom monitoring, showed significant improvements in depression and functional status.
A Mayo Clinic study found a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients with chronic pain. Patients with low vitamin D levels were taking nearly twice as much pain medication, experiencing worse physical functioning and overall health perception.
A new device, CPSM, measures continuous real-time pain scores, providing detailed information on patients' pain perception and improving pain management. The study used thirty-two healthy volunteers to test the CPSM's reliability.
A recent study in mice found that high levels of EAAT2 protein decreased abdominal pain by 50-70%. The protein acts on glutamate, preventing it from interacting with receptors that send pain signals. Researchers hope EAAT2 may treat visceral pain associated with gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.
The American Pain Society and American Academy of Pain Medicine have published comprehensive clinical practice guidelines to assist clinicians in prescribing potent opioid pain medications for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The guidelines emphasize the importance of monitoring patients on chronic opioid therapy to weigh benefit...
The new guideline provides recommendations for clinicians on how to safely prescribe potent opioid pain medications for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Key findings include the importance of careful patient selection, monitoring, and ongoing assessment to minimize risks of abuse and addiction.
COX2 in brain and spinal cord nerve cells plays a crucial role in pain caused by inflammation, particularly mechanical inflammatory pain. Mice lacking COX2 in nerve cells have impaired hypersensitivity to pain caused by physical insult, suggesting COX2 is central to this type of pain.
A new study reveals a sharp decline in NIH pain research funding, now accounting for only 0.6% of all grants awarded, despite the high prevalence of chronic pain in the US population. The American Pain Society calls for increased funding to address this pressing public health issue.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered a link between chronic pain and brain rewiring in complex region pain syndrome (CRPS). The study found changes in the brain's white matter, which dispatch messages between neurons, contributing to the condition.
Scientists have determined that pain and itch are regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Researchers at WashU Medicine separated itch and pain sensations in mice, a finding that could have important implications for treating both pain and chronic itching. GRPR gene plays key role in transmitting itching sensations.
Researchers found black patients with chronic pain were less likely to have their weight or BMI recorded, despite being at higher risk for obesity. Obesity contributes to greater disability and poorer functioning over and above the impact of pain level.
Researchers discovered a new therapeutic target for pain control, identifying a protein that acts in pain-sensing neurons to convert chemical messengers into ones that suppress pain. The protein, PAP, is eight times more effective at suppressing pain than morphine and has longer-lasting effects.
A new study led by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers finds that sinusitis can cause severe bodily pain, often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Endoscopic sinus surgery has been shown to provide significant pain relief for these patients.
A study of 402 Parkinson's disease patients found that 69.9% experienced pain, compared to 62.8% in healthy controls. Pain types included cramping and central neuropathic pain, suggesting a link between brain structures and pain processing.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine conducted a double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked medical cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV patients. The study showed that reported pain relief was greater with cannabis than with a placebo.
A study of newborn intensive care found that many painful procedures are performed without pain medication or therapy. Neonates experience high rates of repeated and prolonged pain exposure, which can alter their subsequent pain processing and behavior.
Currently used pain assessment tools may not accurately reflect the pain experience in infants. A study published in PLOS Medicine found that changes in brain activity correlated with clinical pain scores, but were more strongly linked to behavioral components such as facial expression than physiological components like heart rate. The...
A recent study found that nearly one in five patients experiences chest pain one year after having a heart attack. Patients who experienced chest pain were more likely to be younger, non-white males with prior chest pain, and had poorer health outcomes.
Recent studies on pain medicine highlight the need for personalized treatment approaches. Researchers found that opioid therapy often lacks sufficient trial duration to determine its effectiveness for chronic pain sufferers.
Research presented at the American Pain Society annual meeting found that less than 3% of patients with no history of drug abuse who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain will show signs of possible drug abuse or dependence. Most chronic pain patients do not rely on drugs as a sole solution, and multi-faceted treatment involving phys...
The American Pain Society has expanded its low back guideline to include recommendations on surgery and interventional treatments for chronic pain. The new guidelines suggest that epidural stenosis injections may be an option for short-term pain relief, while other procedures have limited evidence supporting their benefits.
A Princeton University survey found that 28% of Americans experience pain at any given moment, with those with less education and lower income spending more time in pain. The study also showed that pain can be a barrier to socializing, working, and overall well-being.
A study published in The Lancet found that nearly 30% of men and women reported feeling some level of pain at sampled times. People with lower incomes or less education spent more time in pain and had higher average pain ratings. Pain also imposes significant costs on the healthcare system, economy, and lost productivity.
A hybrid technique combining dorsal column stimulator and peripheral nerve field stimulation effectively blocks body's pain signals, providing significant relief from chronic back and leg pain. The implantable procedure has shown promising results with patients experiencing 60-100% reduction in pain.
A University of Iowa study reveals a biological link between pain and fatigue, with a protein called ASIC3 playing a crucial role in protecting against muscle fatigue in women. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome due to hormonal differences.
According to a study of 3,047 trauma patients, most experience moderately severe pain one year after injury. Pain severity is highest in joints and extremities, and varies by age and sex, with younger adults more likely to experience pain than older adults.
A review of published literature on women's expectations and experience of pain and pain relief in labour reveals a gap between expectations and reality. Most women underestimate the intensity of pain they will experience and may not be prepared for the possibility that they might need pain relief.
The American Academy of Pain Medicine acknowledges chronic pain as a major disease entity, requiring targeted therapies. Studies estimate over 76 million Americans experience chronic pain, resulting in $1.85 billion annual cost.
The study found that alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and exercises are effective in managing most common neck pain. The Task Force also recommends a grading system to classify neck pain, with Grade 1 being mild and Grade 4 indicating serious pathology.
Researchers present studies on the relationship between smoking and neuropathic pain, the benefits of physical conditioning in chronic pain patients, and the effectiveness of pain rehabilitation programs in reducing medication costs. These findings highlight the importance of addressing underlying causes of chronic pain and exploring n...
A study by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that chronic pain disrupts the equilibrium of the brain's regions, leading to permanent damage. This constant firing of neurons can alter connections and even cause death.
Patients who receive perioperative epidural analgesia have improved lung function, reduced risk of pneumonia, and primed for earlier discharge. African Americans are less likely to accept epidurals due to race and socio-economic factors, despite the risks of chronic pain.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a novel targeted gene therapy that simulates the pain-killing effect of opiate drugs, providing relief for more than three months after a single injection. The technique targets selectively the pain gate, avoiding unwanted side effects associated with opioid painkillers.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified two subtypes of GABA receptors that mediate spinal pain control, opening up new possibilities for targeted pain therapy. This discovery could lead to the development of specific drugs with fewer side effects, making chronic pain treatment more effective.
A new study found that daily pain is far more prevalent and severe than previously thought in adults with sickle cell disease. Over half of the patients reported having pain on most days, with nearly one-third experiencing pain nearly every day.
Researchers found that women with IBS cannot turn off a pain modulation mechanism in the brain, making them more sensitive to mild discomfort. The study suggests that abnormal brain responses may be the root cause of the disorder and could lead to new treatment approaches.
A new study found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive strong pain drugs in emergency rooms, despite increased opioid use. Non-opioid pain relievers were prescribed more often to non-whites than whites.
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, have identified a protein called LRP1 that may help ease neuropathic pain by blocking the response of glial cells. The study found that administering LRP1 into injured peripheral nerves decreased the level and activity of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to reduced pain.
A Mayo Clinic study shows cryoablation can provide durable pain relief for patients with bone metastases. Eighty percent of patients experienced significant pain reduction after the treatment, which also improved their quality of life.
A study published in CANCER found that non-white women with metastatic breast cancer experience poorer pain control, with a higher risk of severe pain. The researchers also found that inactive performance status and previous radiation treatment were associated with greater pain.