A new study found that almost 4 out of 5 patients with moderate pain intensity considered it tolerable, and 30-40% of those with severe pain also described it as tolerable. This suggests an alternative to traditional 0-10 rating scales could help doctors better understand patient needs.
A study published in Pediatrics found racial disparities in pain management among children presenting to emergency departments with long-bone fractures. Minority children were more likely to receive analgesics, but less likely to receive opioids and optimal pain reduction.
Daily marijuana users with severe pain reported worsening health over the past year, despite frequent cannabis use. The study found no association between marijuana use and changes in health status among those with low levels of pain.
A study of 865 sports students found that over half experience pain in two or more regions of the body, with frequent depressions, anxiety, and low self-compassion. The lack of attention to physical limitations can lead to chronic pain, emphasizing the need for early discussion and consideration of athletes' health.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology designed a set of stabilisation exercises aimed at strengthening muscles supporting the spine. The program was tested on 70 volunteers and found to eliminate lower back pain for 12 weeks, 3 times longer than usual muscle strengthening exercise programs.
Researchers have found a new mechanism for long-lasting pain relief through the production of endogenous opioids by immune cells. The discovery uses cytokine interleukin-4 to induce M2 macrophages, which produce opioids and reduce pain, offering potential alternative pain management options.
A new classification system for orofacial pain has been developed by international researchers, providing a common language for medical doctors and dentists to diagnose patients accurately. The system is expected to improve treatment outcomes for individuals suffering from chronic pain in the mouth, jaws, and face.
A new framework for managing chronic pain in older adults emphasizes the importance of combining pharmacologic strategies with nondrug therapies. The 'start low, go slow' approach suggests beginning with low-risk, noninvasive options that involve patients in their own care, while judiciously using higher-risk treatments as needed.
The number of people prescribed opioids for chronic non-cancer pain increased from approximately 20% to 40% between 1991 and 2015. However, there is a crucial evidence gap in global prescription data outside the US, with few studies reporting on opioid prescribing practices in other countries.
A study analyzing over 50,000 VA patients found that increasing opioid prescription doses does not improve chronic pain management. Despite higher doses, patients' pain scores showed minimal changes, indicating that clinicians should exercise caution when escalating opioid doses.
A recent University of Miami study found that African Americans report greater pain in response to controlled pain stimulation and exhibit differences in brain responses to pain, which correlate with their personal histories of discrimination. These findings suggest a link between racial biases about pain and medical consequences.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully developed pain-killing neurons using human stem cells, providing lasting relief in mice without side effects. The next step is to conduct safety tests in rodents and pigs before moving to human trials within five years.
A Houston Methodist study found that using long-acting local anesthetics and scheduled non-narcotic pain medication reduced opioid prescriptions from 87% to 10% after surgery. The program successfully managed pain after surgery using over-the-counter pain medication, decreasing the chance of patients becoming addicted to narcotics.
Media reports on chronic pain focus on opioid-based treatments and cannabis, overlooking evidence-based non-pharmaceutical options. Research analysis reveals limited attention to adverse effects of medicinal cannabis and inadequate resources for pain management.
A new US study demonstrates the effectiveness of genicular artery embolization (GAE) in treating osteoarthritis knee pain. The minimally invasive procedure blocks blood flow to certain parts of the knee, providing rapid relief from pain and disability. Results show significant improvement in pain scores, with nearly all patients experi...
The Texas Advanced Computing Center will develop a meta-portal to provide access to analytics tools and data sets for researchers studying the biological characteristics underlying acute-to-chronic pain transition. Researchers aim to identify biomarkers that can predict chronic pain for medical and public health use.
A 7-year prospective cohort study found that early use of regional anesthesia is associated with sustained pain benefits throughout rehabilitation and recovery. The study suggests that effective, agile pain interventions can play an important role in reducing future pain.
A small study published in Pain Reports found that immersive VR scenes of Arctic exploration can reduce perceived ongoing pain and sensitivity to painful stimuli. The researchers believe that VR may trigger the body's own pain-fighting systems, leading to a decrease in chronic pain symptoms.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health are developing a web-based pain management program using the PainTRAINER platform to help cancer survivors manage persistent pain without opioids. The study aims to test the effectiveness of this approach in improving coping strategies and reducing pain medication use.
Researchers detected a significant correlation between kinesiophobia and chronic musculoskeletal pain, with increased fear of movement linked to longer pain durations. In contrast, whiplash patients showed less influence from kinesiophobia, suggesting other factors at play.
Researchers have identified RGS4 as a multifunctional protein that contributes to the transition from acute and sub-acute pain to pathological pain states. Inhibiting RGS4 action disrupts the maintenance of chronic pain, promoting recovery in preclinical models.
A team of UC Davis researchers led by Vladimir Yarov-Yarovoy is developing a new class of peptides to treat chronic pain with minimal side effects. The goal is to identify the most effective peptide design that can selectively block pain-associated sodium channels without affecting other channels.
Chronic pain leads to depression by suppressing brain reward system, say Hokkaido University researchers. Their study found that blocking excessive CRF signals can increase dopamine neuron activity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain and depression.
A new study from the University of Warwick reveals that people with persistent back pain or headaches are twice as likely to suffer from both disorders. The researchers suggest an association between the two types of pain, pointing to a potential shared treatment for both conditions.
Researchers at UCalgary and Stanford University have discovered a long-range circuit in the brain that carries pain signals and is altered during chronic pain states. This understanding may lead to new drug therapies and targeted brain stimulation treatments to address chronic nerve pain.
A new study published in Neurology found that facial pain is a common symptom of headaches, affecting up to 10% of people with primary headaches. The study suggests that facial pain may be a distinct syndrome rather than just a headache variant.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology has made significant progress in understanding chronic pain by integrating psychosocial factors and neurobiology. The researchers found two key traits - Pain-trait and Emote-trait - that are associated with back pain characteristics, as well as a link between socioeconomic status and chronic pain.
SLU researchers will investigate GPR160, a small molecule that could turn off pain without side effects or addiction. The discovery of new leads for non-addictive pain medications has the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes for chronic pain patients in the US.
A study found that 9% of patients with acute pain conditions continued opioid use 3 months after discharge from the emergency department. Most patients used opioids to manage initial or new pain, not misuse. The study highlights the need for non-narcotic methods to treat acute pain and further research on chronic pain mechanisms.
New research provides a more accurate way to measure pain in mice using slow-motion video and artificial intelligence. The 'mouse pain scale' assesses the degree of pain, increasing confidence in therapeutic effectiveness in humans.
A $21 million national study will test three evidence-based treatments for chronic low back pain in a 20-site trial. The Sequential and Comparative Evaluation of Pain Treatment Effectiveness Response (SCEPTER) trial aims to find the best approach to manage chronic low back pain, with implications for the general population.
The Kessler Foundation will conduct a pilot study using functional MRI to develop new strategies for managing neuropathic pain in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The study aims to train participants to use neurofeedback to modulate their brain activity and reduce pain sensations.
Researchers have discovered genetic evidence of chronic pain in Drosophila fruit flies, which may lead to new treatments targeting the underlying cause. The study found that an injury can lead to long-lasting hypersensitivity to normally non-painful stimuli, similar to human patients' experiences with neuropathic pain.
A small study suggests that treating pelvic floor muscle spasm with botulinum toxin may relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with endometriosis. The treatment showed long-lasting benefits, with many patients reporting pain relief lasting at least six months.
A computational model simulates how pain is transmitted from a nerve to the spinal cord's dorsal horn, reproducing experimental results on pain sensitivity. The model suggests a potential mechanism for neuropathic pain's flipped sensitivity rhythm: a change from inhibition to excitation in synaptic connections between nerve cells.
A new study has found a stark contrast between the evidence available for adult chronic pain and that conducted in children, with only six trials involving 393 participants. The lack of high-quality evidence hampers treatment options for children with chronic pain, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and isolation.
A decade of basic research led to the discovery of sortilin's role in controlling peripheral neuropathic pain. Blocking sortilin prevents pain in mice, suggesting a promising new target for medicinal drugs.
A study by Mount Sinai researchers found that 35% of cancer survivors have chronic pain, with specific types of cancer having a higher incidence. Chronic pain is more prevalent among unemployed and uninsured survivors.
A new report reveals that nearly 5.4 million cancer survivors in the US experience chronic pain, with one in six reporting high-impact pain. The prevalence of chronic pain is significantly higher among certain groups, including those with lower education levels and household income.
A smartphone app called PainCoach helps patients reduce their use of opiate painkillers and improve pain control after total knee replacement surgery. The app provides personalized advice on pain relief and exercises to help patients manage their pain levels, resulting in lower opiate use and improved quality of life.
Researchers developed a non-addictive painkiller that accelerates recovery time and prevents relapse to chronic pain. The new opioid, ZH853, outperforms morphine in treating pain while diminishing inflammation and reducing recovery time.
Researchers at SLU discovered a molecular pathway required for neuropathic pain and found blocking this signal can limit or stop pain. A new class of non-narcotic pain-killing therapies is being developed.
Chronic post-surgical pain affects 10% of patients, often requiring higher levels of opioids that can lead to tolerance and opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Opioid prescribing for surgery patients poses a challenge, with increases in misuse and abuse linked to inadequate pain management.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a pain killer that blocks kappa opioid receptors to restore motivation in rodents. The compound dampens the negative emotions associated with pain without causing euphoria, offering a potential approach to less addictive pain treatment.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered a potential new target for chronic pain treatment by activating the REV-ERBs receptor. This discovery could lead to more effective drugs for various types of chronic pain, including sciatica, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.
A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University found that Pinterest is a valuable tool for coping with chronic pain, sharing self-care tips, and supporting others. The platform also has potential as an underutilized resource for health care organizations to share high-quality information.
Research by University of Sydney researchers reveals a significant association between diabetes and low back pain and neck pain. The study found people with diabetes have a higher risk of experiencing these conditions, warranting further investigation into the link.
A program offering group support, acupuncture, mindfulness, massage, and gentle exercise reduced pain intensity by 12% and boosted pain self-efficacy by 22% among participants with chronic pain, according to a UCSF-led study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
A new study in mice reveals that sociable personalities attenuate neuropathic pain, while anxiety intensifies it. High expression of genes IL6 and PDYN in the amygdala correlates with increased pain sensitivity.
Researchers found compounded pain creams ineffective in relieving localized pain, with small benefits attributed to peripheral nervous system drugs. The treatment's lack of efficacy and high cost make it less suitable than FDA-approved compounds.
A pooled analysis of clinical trials suggests mindfulness can lessen chronic pain severity and associated distress, improving physical functioning. The results indicate that both CBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques show promise in treating chronic pain.
Researchers found that patients who believed in their ability to overcome pain and continue with daily activities recovered faster than those who lacked this confidence. The study also showed that physiotherapy is effective for many people with shoulder pain, but not everyone.
A team of scientists at Stanford University has identified a bundle of brain cells in mice responsible for the negative emotions associated with pain. The amygdala region is key to processing painful stimuli and conveying emotional responses.
A Canadian population study tracked back pain patterns over 16 years, identifying four trajectories: persistent, developing, recovery, and occasional. The persistent and developing groups had more pain and disability, while the recovery group increased opioid use.
Research finds that experiencing pain can motivate individuals to use substances and make it harder to quit, resulting in a positive feedback loop that maintains both conditions. Clinicians should assess patients for chronic pain and address it during treatment to help them manage withdrawal and develop healthier coping strategies.
Research confirms men and women remember pain differently, with men recalling earlier painful experiences and being stressed by later pain. Blocking memories of previous pain alleviates the stress response, suggesting a potential treatment approach for chronic pain sufferers.
Older age, obesity, and depression were associated with chronic hip pain in a study of 2,515 adults. Chronic hip pain was found to be widespread in 50% of cases.
A Rutgers study found that Gabapentin reduces pain and improves sexual desire and satisfaction in women with vulvodynia, a condition characterized by stinging, burning, or itching at the vaginal entry point.
Researchers are developing a nonopioid drug, ML351, to treat certain types of chronic pain. The drug targets a novel signaling pathway responsible for chronic pain development and has shown promise in preclinical studies.
A Malaysian survey found that misconceptions about opioids affect pain control among cancer patients, with fears of addiction and immune system damage being the most common barriers. The study highlights the need for improved accessibility to pain relief treatments in low- and middle-income countries.