A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) can improve daily functioning and reduce perceived pain among patients with chronic low back pain. Statistically significant improvements were observed in domains such as sleep, reaching, and bending forward.
A new study found that less than 4% of people with sickle cell disease have prescriptions for newer FDA-approved pain-relieving drugs, despite their availability. The study also revealed significant gaps in prescription patterns by geographic region and age group, emphasizing the need for education and access to treatment options.
Researchers identified four distinct long-term pain trajectories in nursing home residents, shedding light on risk factors associated with persistent pain. The study highlights the need to improve pain assessment and evaluation, particularly among vulnerable populations like those with Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that chronic pain's biggest threat to mental wellbeing isn't intensity, but how it interferes with daily activities. Researchers discovered that people with chronic pain who maintain flexible goals and adapt to obstacles tend to have better mental wellbeing.
A study of 232 healthy adults found that hypnosis and mindfulness meditation reduced pain intensity and tolerance, while prayer did not. The results suggest that brief sessions of these techniques may be useful for acute pain self-management.
Researchers found a significant link between chronic pain and dementia, with multisite chronic pain increasing the risk of neurocognitive abnormality by up to eight years.
A comprehensive review of antidepressant use in chronic pain found that some classes were effective in treating certain conditions, while others showed unclear or unknown benefits. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine demonstrated efficacy for various pain conditions.
Researchers found that some antidepressant classes were effective in treating specific pain conditions, while others showed no benefits or unknown effects. The review of 26 systematic reviews involving over 25,000 participants suggests a more nuanced approach to prescribing antidepressants for chronic pain management is needed.
A new study found that central pain mechanisms and peripheral pain sources contribute to post-knee replacement pain, suggesting a need for targeted pain management strategies. The research suggests that managing other sites of pain may be important in ameliorating persistent knee pain.
Researchers found that spinal cord stimulation improved insomnia severity index and Epworth sleepiness scale scores by at least 30% in 39.1% and 28.1% of participants, respectively. The study also established minimally clinical important difference values to gauge treatment success.
A new study from Flinders University found that a telehealth program delivering individualized coaching improves self-management and reduces suffering for people with chronic pain. The program, called Rethinking Pain, provides access to care and support for those living in rural areas who face long wait times for specialist care.
A survey study found that 3 in 10 adults with chronic pain in states with medical cannabis laws used cannabis to manage their pain, often substituting it for other pain medications. The study highlights the importance of researching the effectiveness and potential adverse consequences of cannabis for chronic pain management.
A new study found that nearly a third of patients with chronic pain use cannabis to manage their symptoms, leading to decreased use of pain medications. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis for chronic pain management.
Researchers discovered that distinct layer-specific neuronal circuits in the primary motor cortex modulate both sensory and emotional components of chronic pain in mice. Activation of specific pathways suppressed sensory hypersensitivity to pain and reduced negative emotional and behavioral components.
Research from Boston Medical Center reveals Black and Hispanic patients are more prone to developing high-impact chronic lower back pain compared to White patients. The study suggests experiences of discrimination and unmet social needs may contribute to these racial disparities.
The Cleveland Clinic is developing a stem cell treatment for complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating disease that causes chronic pain, using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The research has long-term potential for providing patients an alternative to addictive opioid treatments.
A world-first study found that chronic pain in stroke survivors can alter body perception, increasing accident risk. Researchers discovered that nearly three times as many stroke survivors with chronic pain experience altered body perception compared to those without.
Persistent pain was common among US adults aged 65+, with declines in physical function (64% persistent pain, 59% intermittent) and well-being (48% persistent pain, 45% intermittent). Cognitive decline was not significantly affected. The study highlights the importance of access to effective treatment for persistent pain in older adults.
Research reveals that individuals with autism have normal pain thresholds but increased sensitivity to painful stimuli. This study's findings suggest the need for increased awareness and early treatment to improve quality of life for autistic individuals.
A new study analyzing often-overlooked racial/ethnic groups provides a new understanding of pain disparities in the US. The research, led by Anna Zajacova, reveals that Native Americans and multiracial Americans have significantly higher pain prevalence than other groups.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that chronic pain at age 44 is associated with poor mental health outcomes, joblessness, and general health issues in later decades. The research also suggests a link between chronic pain and COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for attention to chronic pain as a public health concern.
Dr. Vivienne Tawfik has been awarded the American Society of Anesthesiologists' James E. Cottrell Presidential Scholar Award for her groundbreaking work on chronic and post-surgical pain mechanisms. Her research has led to a deeper understanding of peripheral and central immune cells in persistent pain responses.
A study found that wearing green eyeglasses reduces pain-related anxiety and decreases opioid use in fibromyalgia patients. The treatment uses specially formulated lenses to filter specific wavelengths of green light, which stimulates pathways in the brain to manage pain.
A newly identified link between chronic pain and lung cancer in mice suggests that old drugs such as clonidine, capsaicin, and fluphenazine may offer new treatments for chronic pain. The study found that blocking the BH4 pathway reduced pain sensitivity and decreased tumor growth in mouse models of KRAS-driven lung cancer.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that opioid prescriptions declined for US patients with both cancer and non-cancer pain between 2012 and 2019. The proportion of people receiving any opioid prescription dropped from 49.7% to 30.5% for non-cancer pain and from 86.0% to 78.7% for cancer pain.
A new study found that people who were given the impression of control over music experienced greater pain relief. Those who actively engage with music in their daily life showed even greater benefits. Music complexity was not linked to pain relief, but feeling in control was key.
A new study from the University of South Australia identifies five key approaches for parents and caregivers to discuss everyday pain with young children. Teaching children that they can control their pain and empowering them to actively engage in pain management can promote lifelong helpful pain behaviors and encourage recovery. By he...
A new study by the University of Exeter recommends using metaphors, images, and poetry to complement traditional medical scales for patients to describe their chronic pain. This approach can improve doctor-patient communication and aid diagnosis or provide better support.
A multidisciplinary team at UVA Health will use deep brain stimulation to treat refractory neuropathic pain, aiming to modulate pain signals from the insula. The study may shed light on the fundamental nature of pain and identify biological indicators for effective treatment.
Researchers developed a novel approach to modulate astrocyte activity and drive therapeutic circuit reorganization in neuropathic pain. By combining established clinical tools, they successfully alleviated allodynia and dismantled inappropriate neural connections.
A recent study published in PAIN found that mindfulness meditation can reduce pain intensity and unpleasantness by separating pain from the sense of self. Participants who practiced mindfulness reported a significant reduction in pain levels after undergoing painful heat stimuli.
A team of scientists discovered a neural mechanism by which sound reduces pain in mice, potentially informing more effective pain therapies. The study found that low-intensity white noise and pleasant music reduced pain sensitivity in mice, while unpleasant music had no effect.
Research published in JNeurosci found that Gulf War veterans with chronic pain have changes in brain structure involved in pain processing, including larger frontal cortex areas and smaller insular cortices. These structural differences may contribute to the development of effective treatments for Gulf War Illness.
Women with self-injury behaviour show a more effective pain-modulation system, displaying more connections between pain perception and modulation brain areas. This finding suggests that effective pain modulation is a risk factor for self-injury behaviour, providing valuable insights for improving treatment and support.
Researchers at University of Calgary have identified a molecule in the nervous system that enhances sensitivity to pain, potentially treating chronic pain with existing anti-cancer drugs. The discovery could offer an alternative to opioid-based pain medication, which can lead to tolerance and addiction.
Researchers have developed a new national blueprint to support Australians living with chronic pain, costing the economy $139 billion annually. The 'Listen to me, learn from me' framework prioritizes person-centered care and has nine key focus areas, including pain validation and effective communication.
Researchers from McGill University and Italy found that blocking neutrophils can prolong pain, even with anti-inflammatory drugs. The study suggests reconsidering acute pain treatment, and findings are supported by a large UK analysis.
Researchers have discovered three unique brain subtypes indicating high, medium, and low susceptibility to chronic pain and trauma symptoms in veterans. The study provides an objective measurement of pain and trauma susceptibility and could lead to targeted and personalized treatments.
Chronic pain causes maladaptive emotional states and is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders. Researchers identified the neuronal circuit involved in chronic pain-induced anxiety in mice, finding that restoring its activity attenuates anxiety.
A new technique developed at the University of Birmingham uses electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity in patients before surgery, predicting their likelihood of severe pain after recovery. This allows clinicians to plan additional preventative pain medication and potentially reduce chronic symptoms.
A study found that strength training activates androgen receptors to protect against muscle pain in mice. Resistance training also alleviated pain only in male mice, while females did not show similar benefits. The findings suggest exercise may be a useful treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
A study of 97 randomised controlled trials found that combining physiotherapy with psychological interventions is more effective for improving physical function and reducing pain intensity. Pain education programs and behavioural therapy result in the most sustainable effects of treatment.
A large population-based study found chronic low back pain (CLBP) associated with reduced brain volume in pain-processing areas, including the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and amygdala. This association remained significant after adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors.
People with severe mental illness experience increased likelihood of health problems and poorer physical health due to inadequate pain management. Current treatments are often excluded from clinical trials, and low physical activity is a common issue in both conditions.
A new study published in BRAIN shows that a neuronal growth factor called BDNF plays a major role in amplifying spinal cord pain signalling in male humans and male rats, but not in female humans or female rats. This discovery has significant implications for the development of new treatments for chronic pain.
A team of Heidelberg University researchers identified epigenetic factor HDAC4 and organic anion transporter OAT1 as key players in chronic pain development. Their findings revealed that altering gene expression regulates pain processing and sensitivity.
A recent study found that younger age at the time of menarche is associated with chronic pain in adulthood. Women who experienced their first menstrual period earlier reported higher rates of chronic pain and longer duration of pain. The study suggests that increased estrogen levels may contribute to this association.
Researchers found that viewing nostalgic images from childhood reduced pain perception in adults, with the strongest effect on low-intensity pain. Nostalgic images decreased activity in brain regions involved in pain perception, including the left lingual gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus.
Chronic pain may lead to changed eating behavior and obesity due to altered brain responses to sugar and fat. Brain scans reveal a smaller nucleus accumbens in patients with chronic pain who experience disrupted satiety signals.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Researchers have discovered a molecular signaling pathway associated with osteoarthritis (OA) pain, which plays a crucial role in producing and transmitting pain signals. By blocking this pathway, the study shows promise for developing new, effective pain treatments for human OA sufferers.
A mixed-methods survey found that pain science education helped people recover from chronic pain by understanding it was not tissue damage and that stress and emotion could heighten perceptions. The study also identified seven learning objectives to help teenagers better understand pain, including reframing perceptions of pain as an 'o...
A recent study found that over half (53.8%) of people with two or three long-term conditions and around 75% of those with four or more report at least one site of chronic pain. Chronic pain is a significant concern for individuals with multiple long-term conditions, highlighting the need for improved management and treatments.
A survey of 579 adults with chronic pain in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland found that COVID-19 lockdowns worsened pain severity in women, particularly due to increased caregiving responsibilities and emotional response. The study highlights the need for targeted pain management interventions specifically designed for women.
New guidelines recommend using nerve blocks to select patients with chronic neck pain who may benefit from radiofrequency ablation. Only one nerve block is required, rather than two, and patients must experience meaningful pain relief from diagnostic blocks. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a compound that regulates a biological channel linked to pain, reducing the sensation of pain in rodents. The compound, dubbed 194, successfully targets sodium ion channels and promotes pain relief by activating the body's endogenous opioid system.
A randomized controlled trial found that CBT with yoga and education components significantly reduced pain impact and disability in patients on long-term opioid therapy. Patients receiving CBT also reported greater reductions in pain compared to those receiving usual care.
Researchers at Duke University and UC Irvine identify Kenpaullone, a cancer drug, as an effective analgesic for chronic and challenging-to-treat pain. The compound enhances Kcc2 gene expression, which resets maladaptive genetic switches in neurons, leading to pain signal silencing.
Researchers have identified a specific molecular mechanism that controls the transition from acute to chronic pain. Disabling an intracellular enzyme called N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) can halt chronic pain development in mice, suggesting a new class of drugs to treat various forms of chronic pain.