A study found that open-label placebo treatment reduced initial pain and disability scores by approximately 30% in patients with chronic low back pain. This approach harnesses the placebo effect without deception, offering a potential solution to improve treatment of back pain.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $7.5 million grant to researchers at the University of Michigan to study chronic pain. The team aims to investigate how peripheral damage, inflammation, and central nervous system factors interact to cause chronic pain, with potential breakthroughs in treating high levels of chronic pain
The NIH review found that acupuncture, yoga, and tai chi are effective for managing back pain and osteoarthritis. Massage therapy and relaxation techniques also show promise in reducing severe headaches and migraine symptoms.
Research suggests that women experiencing persistent childbirth pain are more likely to develop postnatal depression following birth. A study conducted in 2016 found that women with persistent pain had significantly higher scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale compared to those whose pain resolved within four weeks.
A new research study has found a connection between chronic pain and anxiety disorders, with increased PACAP expression contributing to symptoms. Blocking this regulator could lead to a new approach in treating chronic pain and stress-related behavioral disorders.
Researchers found that men had greater pain relief from smoking marijuana after analyzing data from 42 recreational marijuana smokers. Women reported a small increase in pain tolerance but no significant decrease in pain sensitivity.
A new study found that genetic factors account for 38.4% of the variation in chronic pain risk, while shared environment with spouses contributes to 18.7%. The research also discovered a correlation between chronic pain and depression, highlighting the importance of identifying shared causal mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that microglia brain immune cells play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Targeting these cells within a few days after nerve injury can greatly reduce chronic pain in animals. This breakthrough could lead to more effective painkillers with fewer side effects.
A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) helps reduce acute pain in postpartum women, regardless of delivery method. OMT resulted in a 30% decrease in lower back pain, 17% in abdominal pain, and 10% in vaginal pain.
Recent studies support the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a safe and effective treatment for chronic back and limb pain. SCS uses low-voltage electrical stimulation to block pain signals via a small device implanted in the body.
A systematic review of 30 observational studies found that disruption of sensory nerves in the axilla during armpit lymph node surgery is associated with chronic pain. Younger age and radiation therapy are also risk factors for developing chronic post-surgical pain.
A systematic review of 30 studies found that axillary lymph node dissection increases the risk of chronic pain by 21%. Younger age, radiation therapy, and acute pain after surgery were also associated with chronic pain. The study calls for more research into risk factors and techniques to reduce pain.
A conceptual model by Amanda L. Stone and Anna C. Wilson suggests that genetic factors, early neurobiological development, and social learning play a role in the transmission of chronic pain from parents to children. The researchers propose five plausible mechanisms for this risk, including genetics, early neurobiological development, ...
A study found that about 15% of complex postoperative pain patients develop moderate to severe chronic pain, consuming 90% of healthcare's pain-related resources. The annual projected total cost linked to TGH surgical patients who develop moderate-to-severe chronic post-surgical pain could range from $2.5 million up to a possible $4.1 ...
A recent analysis found that approximately 43% of the UK population, around 28 million adults, suffer from chronic pain. The prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages, with older individuals being more likely to experience long-term pain. Women are also more likely to be affected by chronic pain than men.
A small study found that long-term opioid treatment increased pain intensities, fatigue, and impaired daily activities in patients with sickle cell disease. Central sensitization, a phenomenon amplifying painful sensations, was also more pronounced in those on opioids.
A community-based pain management programme for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain has improved depression and social integration. The intervention showed cost-effectiveness and a novel, brief, psychologically based group intervention directed at increasing participants' confidence.
Researchers discovered a specific protein in spider venom that stimulates pain-sensing nerves, underlying abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome patients. Developing molecules to block this protein could lead to novel treatments for the condition.
Recent discoveries shed light on the mechanism underlying neuropathic pain, revealing a reduced inhibition of pain signal transmission due to dysregulation of chloride levels. This leads to hyperexcitability in neurons, causing touch-evoked pain.
Researchers investigate how expectations influence pain perception, with results showing men's pain tolerance altered by sex-based expectations. The study highlights the importance of considering non-explicit expectation processes in psychology and therapy.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that 87% of patients misusing drugs and alcohol suffer from chronic pain. Many use substances to alleviate physical pain, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment strategies.
A small study by University of Florida researchers suggests that as we age, we may become more sensitive to pain and experience a quicker and higher magnitude inflammation. This could predispose older adults to chronic pain, making anti-inflammatory medication an early treatment option.
Researchers found that people with no sense of pain exhibited the same brain activity patterns as healthy individuals when exposed to painful stimuli, casting doubt on the 'pain matrix'. The study highlights the need for caution when interpreting associations between brain activity and human experiences.
A new study has found that neuroligin-2 may contribute to chronic pain by disrupting the body's inhibitory networks. This discovery provides a second theory for what drives the GABAergic system's loss of efficacy in people with chronic pain.
A University of Virginia study found that false beliefs about biological differences between black and white people contribute to undertreated pain among black patients. White medical students and residents who held these false beliefs showed lower pain ratings and less accurate treatment recommendations for black patients.
A study published in PAIN found that sleep problems are a predictor of chronic pain and worsening pain severity over time in emerging adults. Sleep problems were more likely to be associated with increased chronic pain, especially in women.
Researchers propose a new theory that pain is a complex interaction of multiple elements, including sensory processes and emotional responses. A study found that the brain processes both general and specific components of pain in parallel, allowing for efficient processing of unpleasant experiences.
Researchers at Group Health Research Institute discovered that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can alleviate chronic low back pain, with improvements seen at six months and one year compared to usual care. MBSR training led to significant reductions in functional limitations and self-reported back pain.
A critical review of over 100 studies on pain experience among Hispanic Americans reveals lower rates of chronic pain, but also greater pain sensitivity and less tolerance compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study highlights gaps in current research and calls for further investigation into the role of cultural factors and acculturation.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation does not employ the body's opioids to reduce pain, but instead uses a different pathway to provide significant pain relief. The researchers used a thermal probe to induce pain and observed a 24% reduction in pain ratings among meditation participants.
A recent study by University of Kent researchers refutes the use of traditional pain measurement methods in exercise experiments. They found that people who are ready to engage in greater amounts of pain perform better in exercise activities. The researchers suggest measuring EIP tolerance as a more accurate predictor of performance.
A Loyola Medicine study found that women are 1.38 times more likely to report neck pain than men. The research adds to the growing body of evidence on sex differences in pain experience.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that monthly monitoring and support from pain specialists increased PCP confidence in prescribing opioids, improved patient compliance, and enhanced communication between practitioners. The research highlights the benefits of careful monitoring and pain management support within primary c...
A meta-analysis of 19 studies found that blacks employ pain-coping strategies more frequently than whites, with blacks using praying and catastrophizing as common techniques. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive medical care and could inform chronic pain care.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying the interacting roles of the sympathetic nervous system, sensory nervous system, and immune system in preclinical models of back pain and neuropathic pain. The goal is to understand how timing of a nerve block treatment affects chronic pain relief.
Researchers discovered that Rac1 activates a cascade of reactions in nerve cells associated with inflammatory pain. Inhibiting Rac1 using NSC23766 reduced pain hypersensitivity in rats injected with bee venom. These findings suggest potential for new drugs to treat chronic inflammatory pain.
Researchers at University College London have discovered a protein that drives chronic pain and offer a promising new treatment target. Inhibiting this protein substantially alleviated chronic pain in genetically modified mice with nerve damage and arthritic joints.
The Journal of Pain Research publishes commentary on terminology of chronic pain, highlighting the need to redefine terms to better understand and treat patients. The authors suggest using origin- and generator-based terms to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
A new pilot study suggests that meditation can help US veterans manage chronic pain by reducing pain intensity and interference with daily life. The study used Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra (iRest) mindfulness meditation, which is already being used at Veterans Health Administration medical centers nationwide.
Researchers used functional MRI to assess the effectiveness of new pain medications in patients with chronic pain. The study found that FMRI can provide objective evidence to prevent premature discarding of potentially beneficial therapies.
Cognitive developmental influences on preschool-age children's pain self-reporting are limited by factors such as memory, knowledge of magnitude, and language ability. Modifications for simplifying pain assessments, including using tools with few response options and considering past pain experiences, can improve accuracy.
Blocking receptors inside nerve cells may offer a more effective and safer pain relief option by reducing drug-induced side effects. The study found that targeting glutamate receptors in the nucleus of spinal nerve cells can effectively relieve neuropathic pain in rats, with no changes in pain sensitivity observed in normal rats.
Researchers at McGill University found that chronic pain changes DNA marking in the brain and white blood cells, impacting immune function. This epigenetic discovery could lead to new targets for pain medications.
Researchers will test peripherally-restricted cannabinoids (PRCBs) to alleviate oral cancer and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain symptoms. The five-year study aims to determine the antitumor potential of PRCBs, their effectiveness against cancer pain, and potential tolerance development.
A University of Alberta study found that patients without opioid prescriptions experienced improved physical functioning and reduced disability compared to those who received opioid treatment for neuropathic pain. The research suggests a graded approach to physical activity may help improve function despite chronic pain.
Researchers found that patients with two copies of a different allele showed more pain variability and more pain at the end of the day after physical activity. This study suggests tailored behavioral programs could be used sensitive to a person's genotype to increase physical activity and manage arthritis.
Research links dry eye to multiple chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic ocular pain. A multidisciplinary approach may benefit dry eye patients with underlying pain issues.
Researchers found that men and women who had a spine fracture and women who had a hip fracture were more than twice as likely to experience long-term widespread pain as those who had not had a fracture. Chronic widespread pain is common and leads to substantial health-related problems and disability.
Scientists have developed a new treatment strategy that restores a brain region controlling emotions and reduces chronic pain behavior in animal models. The combined drugs target brain circuits and eliminate chronic pain when administered together shortly after an injury.
A recent study at Rush University Medical Center found acupuncture to be a safe and effective adjunctive integrative medicine treatment for chronic pain in pediatric patients. The study included 55 children aged 7-20 who experienced chronic pain conditions, with significant reductions in pain levels and related health issues.
A new study has developed pediatric pain measures to help doctors better evaluate and treat children with chronic pain conditions. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, found that traditional pain measures used for adults were uncomfortable for younger children and had limited vocabulary.
A randomized, controlled trial found both acupuncture and the Alexander Technique led to significant long-term reductions in neck pain and associated disability compared with usual care. The interventions also showed high acceptability rates and greater adherence, leading to improved self-efficacy and outcomes.
A consensus approach to assessing neuropathic pain phenotypes has been developed by an international panel of experts, aiming to improve consistency and transparency in studies. The new criteria identify possible cases of neuropathic pain, emphasizing the need for additional assessments to confirm diagnosis.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have shown that the number of opiate receptors in the brain increases to combat severe pain in arthritis sufferers. By applying heat, they found a correlation between higher receptor numbers and increased ability to withstand pain.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism linking chronic pain to abnormal activity in the anterior cingular cortex, a region of the brain involved in cognitive functions. The study provides insights into the role of HCN channels in controlling pain signals, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for relieving chronic pain.
A study of over 6,500 teenagers found that those with mental disorders are more likely to experience chronic pain. The researchers identified connections between various types of mental disorders and chronic pain, suggesting that mental health issues may be an underlying risk factor for chronic pain in young people.
A Canadian research team found that daily cannabis users did not experience serious adverse events, while showing improvement in pain and quality of life. However, non-serious adverse events like headaches and respiratory problems were reported.
A new study reveals that patients with lumbar spinal stenosis prefer pain relief to improved mobility, defying medical community assumptions. Researchers surveyed 269 patients and found that 79% chose pain reduction over increased physical function.
A Boston University School of Medicine program educates clinicians on safe opioid prescribing, resulting in improved knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice. The program has empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about opioids for chronic pain sufferers.
A study at Mount Sinai Hospital found that antidepressants regulate chronic pain and depression through actions in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain reward center. The research discovered a gene (RGS9) controlling molecular adaptations for recovery from pain and depression.