Research reviews show that back pain in space is often sciatica, a form of back pain radiating down the legs. Astronauts experience changes in spine curvature due to microgravity, leading to acute and chronic pain upon return to Earth.
A new study reveals that pain activates a specific region of the brain, which reduces dopamine activity and leads to decreased motivation. Artificially restoring dopamine neurons reverses this effect, suggesting potential treatments for pain-related emotional changes.
A new study by E. Paige Lloyd found that medical providers are better at discerning real from fake pain expressions for White people than Black people. This disparity in pain detection could contribute to racial disparities in pain care and treatment recommendations.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a promising new pain relief method using ultra-thin microelectrodes, providing effective and personalized pain relief without common side effects. The study showed that this technique can block pain signals in the brain without affecting other sensory systems or motor skills.
A new treatment for inflammatory pain has been developed by UB researchers using lipidated peptides that can penetrate nerve endings and provide long-lasting pain relief. The treatment also shows promise in reducing gender differences in pain perception.
Scientists have identified specific epigenetic signatures for nociceptive and neuropathic pain, allowing for quicker and more reliable classification. This breakthrough enables a simple blood test to determine the type of pain an individual suffers from, paving the way for targeted treatment.
A new study shows that a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can provide potent and durable relief for chronic back pain in two-thirds of patients. The treatment alters brain networks associated with pain processing, reducing symptoms that last for up to one year.
A new 12-week mind-body program has been shown to be highly effective in treating chronic back pain, with 64% of participants reporting being completely pain-free after six months. The program, called Psychophysiologic Symptom Relief Therapy (PSRT), addresses underlying stressors and psychological contributors to persistent pain.
A study published in PAIN found that weather-related factors can affect pain tolerance, particularly for cold-induced pain. Temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity were associated with changes in pain tolerance tests, suggesting a dynamic and non-linear relationship between weather and pain.
Research finds widespread pain associated with a heightened risk of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. People with widespread pain were 43% more likely to have any type of dementia and 47% more likely to have Alzheimer's disease compared to those without widespread pain.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that analyzing pain distribution can predict chronic pain outcomes. Researchers identified 9 distinct groupings of pain distribution, which varied significantly across subgroups in terms of demographic and medical characteristics, pain intensity, impact, and neuropathic pain quality. The study...
A new study found that people with chronic pain have lower levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate emotions, leading to increased negative emotions and impaired emotional regulation. The researchers hope their online emotional recovery program may provide a non-pharmaceutical solution for those affected.
A £14 million investment from UKRI and Versus Arthritis will massively scale up research into chronic pain, with a focus on the psychosocial aspect. The project aims to understand how psychological and social factors influence pain development and maintenance, and will work with people living with pain every step of the way.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for IBS pain, derived from tarantula venom. In mice experiments, the molecule Tsp1a significantly reduced symptoms associated with chronic IBS pain, without interfering with other body functions.
A computerized brain implant effectively relieves short-term and chronic pain in rodents, detecting brain activity linked to pain and triggering therapeutic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. The device reduces pain intensity and is less likely to cause addiction, offering a promising new strategy for pain therapy.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discovered a non-opioid based target to alleviate chronic touch pain and spontaneous pain in mice. The target, TRPC5, is expressed in both mouse and human neurons that send pain signals to the spinal cord.
A comprehensive new study reveals that chronic pain is on the rise across all adult demographics, with pain increasing in every age group and demographic. The research suggests that physical health conditions, distress, and alcohol use are closely associated with chronic pain trends.
Research suggests that fish may experience painful events despite lacking certain brain regions associated with human pain processing. The UTA team drew on contemporary neuroscience to argue that the brain can compensate for such regions, implying a higher likelihood of pain in fish.
Researchers advocate for a comprehensive approach to chronic pain management by considering the person as a whole. This includes addressing socio-cultural practices, subjective experience, and learning behavioral patterns to develop an action-oriented treatment plan.
A new study led by Syracuse University researchers finds that CBD reduces pain intensity while making it less unpleasant. The study reveals a complex interplay between the drug's physical effects and participants' expectations, challenging previous assumptions about pain relief.
A new study from Boston Medical Center reveals a significant association between back pain and elevated mortality risk in women. Mild back pain is unlikely to impact life expectancy, but more severe cases are linked to an increased risk of mortality.
According to a new study published in Pain, nearly one-fifth of American adults (20.5%) suffer from chronic pain, with significant impacts on workdays missed, social activities, and daily living. The total economic burden is estimated at nearly $300 billion annually, including lost wages and productivity.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.
A new study published in the Journal of Pain found that when male and female patients express the same amount of pain, women's pain is perceived as less intense. The researchers analyzed facial expressions and self-reported pain levels to measure bias, concluding that gender stereotypes play a role in these disparities.
Researchers found that virtual reality can reduce types of pain typically seen in patients with nerve injuries, including prickling and touch-related pain. The study also showed that VR can boost the body's natural pain inhibiting process by enhancing conditioned pain modulation.
Researchers used holographic stimulation and calcium imaging to study the effects of acute pain on neuronal network activity. They found that spontaneous activity and synchronization between neurons increased during pain, and that blocking N-type calcium ion channels helped restore pain thresholds.
A new study shows that machine-learning strategies can be applied to routinely collected physiological data to provide clues about pain levels in people with sickle cell disease. The researchers found that these vital signs give clues into the patients' reported pain levels, outperforming baseline models.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to mine physiological data from patients with chronic pain, detecting changes in pain levels and atypical fluctuations. The study aims to provide a more precise treatment method by supplementing subjective pain assessments with objective data-driven approaches.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a gene therapy that temporarily represses a gene involved in sensing pain, increasing pain tolerance and providing months of relief. The therapy could be used for various chronic pain conditions, including lower back pain and rare neuropathic disorders.
Scientists have identified a new cell type, MRC1+ macrophages, involved in chronic pain and inflammation. Stimulating the expression of an anti-inflammatory protein CD163 can reduce neuroinflammation and relieve neuropathic pain.
A digital app called Manage My Pain has been shown to reduce key symptoms of chronic pain, including anxiety and pain catastrophizing. The study found that patients who used the app saw clinically significant reductions in these areas, leading to better management of their pain.
A new study from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry confirms that low-dose naltrexone is a good option for patients with orofacial and chronic pain, reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life. Low-dose naltrexone works by targeting sensitized nervous cells to reduce pain threshold and sensitivity.
A study published in the journal Pain identifies specialised ion channels involved in transmitting pain signals from the female reproductive tract. The research provides novel findings that could lead to improved treatment options for women experiencing chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis and vulvodynia.
A systematic review of antidepressant effectiveness for back and osteoarthritis pain found small, insignificant benefits for some patients. The evidence suggests that antidepressants may not be a worthwhile treatment option for chronic pain, highlighting the need for large-scale, industry-free trials.
Researchers found that antidepressants were either ineffective or provided a small effect on chronic back pain, with effects being even smaller for osteoarthritis. The study suggests antidepressants may not be the best treatment option for these conditions and could even cause adverse events.
Research suggests that physical and social pain share common processing in the brain, increasing the risk of addiction with long-term opioid therapy. The authors advocate for integrating physical and social pain care models to provide more effective treatment.
A uOttawa study finds that mindfulness can significantly impact the brain of women suffering from neuropathic pain related to breast cancer treatment. The research shows major reductions in brain activity and a significant improvement in brain health as well as pain perception.
Chronic pain and emotional pain are intertwined, with opioids making things worse in the long term. Researchers recommend tapering down or switching to buprenorphine for high-dose long-term opioid users without improvement in pain and function.
The new issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on the challenges of classifying, assessing, and treating neurogenic pain disorders. Experts describe the latest advancements in neurogenic classification and pain management, including new treatment options for peripheral neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and craniofacial ne...
A major new report suggests that children's chronic pain is often ignored or undertreated, with up to 10% of young people experiencing disabling conditions. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Commission recommends four key goals: making childhood pain matter, understanding it, making it visible, and managing it effectively.
Ru-Rong Ji, a renowned anesthesiologist, receives the ASA Excellence in Research Award for his extensive work on understanding chronic pain mechanisms. His research has refined key processes underlying pain development and improved treatment options.
A study found that participants in an eight-week MBSR course reported significant improvements in pain, depression, and disability. The program helped patients cope with their pain and improve their mental and physical health.
A new study found that gabapentin, a commonly used drug for chronic pelvic pain, is no more effective than a placebo in treating the condition. Researchers recommend exploring alternative therapies such as physiotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy instead.
A US study found that middle-aged individuals without a bachelor's degree reported more pain than elderly individuals, unlike in other wealthy countries where pain rises with age. The finding suggests that pain prevalence will continue to increase for less-educated adults in the US, with significant implications for healthcare.
Researchers from the University of Queensland have discovered two pain-blocking peptides in the Venezuelan Pinkfoot Goliath tarantula's venom, showing great potential as treatments for chronic intestinal pain. The peptides inhibit the most important ion channels underlying pain and nearly stopped chronic visceral pain in a model of IBS.
A UBCO study examined pain tolerance among frequent cannabis users and found no association with increased sensitivity to pain. The research suggests that cannabis may be a safer alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain, offering hope for patients seeking relief.
Researchers identified a potential underlying mechanism in the nervous system responsible for varying pain patterns with knee osteoarthritis. People with more pain sensitization were more likely to suffer from constant and unpredictable pain.
A study found that people who catastrophize about their pain are less likely to be physically active later in the day, leading to a cycle of sedentary behavior and worsened pain. This psychological factor may explain why patients with chronic pain avoid physical activities despite its importance for pain management.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science identify key molecule regulating biomolecular messaging in nerve cells, which plays a role in chronic pain. Targeting this molecule, importin alpha-3, could provide new options for treating chronic pain with fewer side effects.
A new neurofeedback approach, Decoded Neurofeedback (DecNef), has been explored in a preclinical study to treat chronic pain. The study found that DecNef enhances the brain's natural ability to control pain by boosting the 'endogenous pain control system', which is often dysfunctional in chronic pain patients.
A new study finds that providers participating in an intervention with education and resources are more likely to adhere to national chronic opioid therapy guidelines compared to those who do not take part. The intervention includes access to a nurse care manager, addiction specialists, and monitoring of prescription usage.
A study found that women with a rare genetic variant in the KCNG4 gene have a higher pain threshold, allowing them to experience less pain during childbirth. The researchers believe this variant acts like a natural epidural, requiring stronger contractions to switch on pain signals.
A new clinical trial suggests that vaporized cannabis is safe and potentially effective in mitigating chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease. The study found that patients experienced reduced pain levels and improved mood over time, paving the way for further research on medical cannabis as a treatment option.
A new molecular imaging approach using PET/MRI has been developed to precisely identify the location of pain generators in chronic pain patients. This approach resulted in a significant modification of management plans for nearly half of the patients, with some receiving invasive procedures.
A new study has found that tanezumab provides relief in patients with chronic low back pain, one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The therapy, which inhibits nerve activity, shows promise as a non-opioid treatment option for chronic pain.
Researchers at the University of Bath suggest that the shift to online consultations is helping patients with chronic pain access vital support during the pandemic. The study highlights the potential benefits of telemedicine in delivering services for patients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and persistent he...
A review paper from McGill University found that pain research remains overwhelmingly biased towards male rodents, leading to ineffective treatments for female chronic pain sufferers. The study suggests that most current analgesics will largely work in men rather than women, highlighting a critical blind spot in pain research.
Researchers at UNM demonstrated that legal cannabis hemp oil reduced mechanical pain sensitivity by 10-fold in mice with chronic post-operative neuropathic pain. The study's findings suggest that hemp oil can be an effective treatment for chronic pain, offering a natural and relatively safe alternative to conventional drugs.
Researchers at Duke University found a single brain area, the CeAga neurons, which can profoundly control pain by turning off dozens of other pain-promotion centers. By activating this center, they can alleviate pain behaviors in mice, suggesting potential future treatments for chronic pain.
A new treatment for chronic pain has been developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, tested in mice and published in EMBO Molecular Medicine. The targeted peptide Tat-P4-(C5)2 achieves complete pain relief without side effects.