Articles tagged with Chronic Pain
Researchers developed a new catheter-based technique to deliver medication directly to the source of severe back pain. Patients reported significant reduction in pain scores and eliminated opioid use after treatment, suggesting potential benefits for patients with refractory thoracolumbar pain.
Exercise produces small improvements in pain and physical function for people with hip osteoarthritis, but those improvements may not be large enough to make a meaningful difference in daily life. Quality of life showed little to no improvement with exercise.
Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to standardize reporting of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reporting Assessment Tool (TMS-RAT) helps compare results, build on each other's findings, and support progress in brain stimulation research. This tool addresses the need f...
A new review of existing research found that AI-based nursing interventions can identify patients at greater risk of complications, reducing unplanned hospital visits and potentially lowering healthcare costs. However, there is a need for further research on the impact of AI on patients' emotional well-being.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that a group mindfulness program can effectively treat chronic low back pain. Participants showed significant improvements to pain and daily functioning after the program, with gains sustained at a 12-month follow-up.
A study from the University of Gothenburg found that patients with chronic pain do not have equal access to specialized rehabilitation programs. Sociodemographic factors such as education, age, sex, and region of birth play a significant role in determining participation rates. The study suggests that addressing these disparities is cr...
A recent study found that self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) resulted in modest improvements in pain interference, sustained over 12 months. Additionally, self-directed CBT showed higher session-completion rates compared to clinician-delivered CBT-CP.
A five-minute session of proximal intercessory prayer significantly reduced pain and anxiety in primary care patients compared to a music control group. The study suggests that in-person intercessory prayer may offer a practical complement to conventional care for underserved populations.
Researchers have found a widely available drug combination to be an effective treatment for patients with systemically active Sjögren's disease. The combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine reduced disease activity while maintaining a favorable safety profile.
A University of Reading research team is developing a potential treatment for chronic nerve pain using tiny stem cell particles. The RESOLVE project aims to reduce inflammation and reset the processes that drive long-lasting pain, offering a different approach to current treatments.
A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto identified a specific brain pathway through which cholecystokinin (CCK) acts to amplify pain in response to negative expectations. This pathway, traveling from the anterior cingulate cortex to the lateral periaqueductal gray, increases pain sensitivity and worsens symptoms.
A widely used depression screening questionnaire is accurate for both people with and without chronic pain, according to a new study. The study debunks the myth that screening inflates depression scores for those with chronic pain, which can be masked by fatigue and sleep disturbances.
A new study suggests that ultrasound stimulation can bring about functionally meaningful changes in pain perception and brain connectivity. The research found a delayed analgesic effect, with participants reporting reduced pain intensity after 28-55 minutes following TUS application.
A multi-institutional team led by Sanford Burnham Prebys aims to develop a non-opioid pain therapeutic using lead molecule SBI-810. The effort, funded by a $3.9 million NIH grant, seeks to optimize the compound into a drug that could provide effective pain relief without addiction risks.
The article discusses how emerging digital tools are capturing the biopsychosocial reality of chronic pain. Digital tools such as wearables, AI-driven trackers, and ecological momentary assessments mitigate recall bias by recording data in real-time, providing a more holistic picture of the patient's journey.
A new study by University College London found that gabapentinoids, prescribed for chronic pain, double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning when combined with benzodiazepines or opioids. The risk persists even after starting gabapentinoid treatment, suggesting they may not be an effective solution to reduce poisoning risks.
Researchers have created a high-resolution molecular map of specific sensory neurons that trigger pain, revealing two subtypes of nociceptors with distinct functional components. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory pain and identifies potential new drug targets using Deep Visual Proteomics.
A randomized trial found that duloxetine does not prevent painful neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer. The study suggests that duloxetine should only be used for managing existing neuropathy, not prevention.
A recent study found a decline in long-term opioid prescribing in the US between 2015 and 2023, with a 24.3% decrease in patients receiving extended therapy. However, approximately 4.2 million US patients still received opioids for 90 days or longer in 2023, indicating the need for improved treatment models for chronic pain management.
A new study found that male, married Canadians with social support, healthy habits, and excellent health are more likely to experience high levels of emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Social support was a key factor associated with flourishing mental health among older adults.
Researchers have mapped a brain circuit specific to chronic pain, suggesting a promising route to treatment. Silencing this circuit eased chronic pain while preserving acute pain responses in mice. The discovery raises the possibility of developing drugs that target this circuit to ease chronic pain without impacting acute pain.
A new study led by University of Iowa Health Care researchers found that TENS reduced movement-evoked pain and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia, with effects lasting for at least six months. The treatment was also shown to be safe, effective, inexpensive, and readily available.
A Concordia-led study reveals that many Canadian surgery residents scored below the threshold of adequate pain knowledge, with limited grasp of the biopsychosocial model and unpreparedness to treat pain in children. This highlights the need for improved medical training to address this critical gap.
Research suggests that persistent pain drives progressive changes in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotional regulation. This can shape whether people develop depression or remain emotionally resilient. The study's findings challenge the idea that depression is an inevitable consequence of long-term pain.
A new study from Dartmouth College finds that social information can significantly impact how people experience negative events, including physical pain and mentally demanding tasks. When others describe an experience as painful, individuals tend to feel it that way, even when the actual experience is low in intensity.
A team of researchers has developed a method to decode fluctuations in spontaneous pain intensity in individuals with chronic pain using extensively sampled functional MRI data. The study found that neural patterns underlying pain differ markedly between individuals, highlighting the importance of individualized brain-based biomarkers.
A new study from CU Anschutz links chronic back pain to heightened brain responses to everyday sounds and finds that Pain Reprocessing Therapy can improve sensory amplification. The research found specific brain changes associated with sound hypersensitivity, which can be treated with psychological therapy.
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry has secured a $9 million NIH grant to develop a targeted, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain associated with muscle and joint dysfunction. Researchers will map the biology of facial pain, identify specialized neurons, and analyze gene expression changes to design effective treatments.
A study reveals that two key proteins, TSP1 and TSP2, play a central role in shaping the healing environment after injury, leading to abnormal bone growth. The findings suggest targeting these proteins may reduce harmful bone formation without interfering with healthy development.
Researchers found that hormone treatment reduces abnormal nerve invasion and improves chronic back pain by limiting nerve growth inside damaged spinal tissue. The study suggests that parathyroid hormone can reverse the process by activating natural signals.
Researchers have discovered a neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into chronic pain. Silencing this pathway can prevent or halt chronic pain, offering new hope for treating severe chronic pain with injections or infusions targeting specific brain cells.
An updated Cochrane review of 21 clinical trials involving over 2,100 adults found no high-quality evidence that cannabis-based medicines reduce neuropathic pain more than placebo. Small improvements were reported by patients using products with both THC and CBD, but these changes were not clinically meaningful.
A new study from Murdoch University found that 66% of participants with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) experienced migraines that started or worsened after CRPS onset. This research highlights the connection between CRPS and migraine, suggesting a possible common cause for both conditions.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of immunotherapy before and after surgery in improving lung cancer patient outcomes. Additionally, a new study shows promise in using CAR T cell therapy to treat large B-cell lymphoma, reducing relapse rates.
Two new studies found that around 1 in 8 day-case surgery patients are admitted to hospital for complications, while 1 in 14 develop chronic pain at the operative site. Chronic post-surgical pain is more common in certain procedures and among patients with medical problems, with orthopaedic and breast surgeries showing higher rates.
A recent study found that back pain can predict sleep problems years later in men over 65, leading to a 12% to 25% increase in sleep issues. Men with back pain are more likely to experience poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
A systematic evidence review finds that cannabis products with higher levels of THC provide short-term pain relief, but at the cost of increased side effects. CBD-based products, on the other hand, show almost no benefit in reducing pain.
Estrogen activates previously unknown pathways in the colon, triggering pain and increasing sensitivity to certain foods. This explains why women are more likely to suffer from IBS and provides potential new ways to treat the condition.
Chronic pain prevalence differs between rural and urban adult cancer survivors, with rural areas showing higher rates despite having fewer resources. Limited access to pain specialists and insurance challenges contribute to these disparities.
Research reveals cannabis use may promote deep, restorative sleep critical for physical restoration and immune function, but at the cost of reduced emotional regulation and memory integration. Chronic cannabis users experience diminishing benefits as use increases.
A cohort study found that participation in New York's medical cannabis program was associated with lower rates of opioid prescription during a 18-month follow-up. The study controlled for unregulated cannabis use, suggesting that medical cannabis may be an effective alternative to opioids for managing chronic pain.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adults with chronic pain who used medical cannabis had a 22% reduction in opioid use. The study, led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, suggests that supervised use of medical cannabis can relieve chronic pain and reduce reliance on prescription opioids.
A recent study found that only one-third of patients with sickle cell disease received guideline-adherent pain treatment within the first hour at emergency departments. The study analyzed data from over 398,000 visits and found disparities in treatment based on age, sex, and insurance status.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown sodium-binding site on GlyT2, which supplies the energetic drive required for glycine transport. The study also uncovered a distinctive allosteric binding pocket for lipid-based inhibitors, providing a foundation for rational design of improved analgesics.
Researchers tracked 120 older veterans taking gabapentinoids and loop diuretics, finding that only 4 doctors correctly identified the gabapentinoids as the cause of leg swelling. The study highlights the dangers of 'prescribing cascades' and emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and alternative treatment options.
Researchers are investigating training caregivers on ear acupressure to help alleviate chronic pain in people with dementia. The one-year initiative aims to recruit 30-40 participants, plus caregivers, and assess the feasibility and acceptability of this non-pharmacological technique.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based program MORE increased interoceptive awareness, reducing the risk of prescription opioid misuse in individuals with chronic pain. Participants who demonstrated lower trust in their body signals and difficulty regulating attention to bodily sensations were at higher risk for opioid misuse.
A new study published in the Hypertension Journal found that chronic pain in adults may increase their risk of developing high blood pressure, with depression playing a significant role. The study analyzed data from over 200,000 adults and found that widespread pain was associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure.
Headache disorders affect nearly one in every three people, causing significant disability and health loss. Migraine and medication overuse drive most of the global burden, emphasizing the need for improved prevention, management, and access to care.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University's Wood Neuro Research Group uses advanced brain imaging and a digital visualization tool to better understand how pain is processed in the brain for people with sickle cell disease. The team found that patients had reduced connectivity across key brain networks linked to pain perception, partic...
Researchers have discovered a novel delivery method for CBD that effectively targets the brain's nerve cells, providing pain relief without adverse side effects. The study found that CBD-IN, a nano-micelle formulation of CBD, calms overactive nerve circuits in the areas responsible for sensing touch and pain.
New research from the University of South Australia highlights the need for personalized, multidisciplinary and empathetic care for people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers found that gaps in support lead many individuals to rely on trial-and-error approaches to manage their pain, resulting in reduced quality of life.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified distinct cellular microenvironments in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumors, providing a framework to develop therapies that engage the patient's immune system. Additionally, a study found widespread misbeliefs about the cancer risks of alcohol among Americans, highlighting the need f...
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
A study led by Julie Pilitsis, MD, PhD, found a possible connection between chronic pain and eosinophilia, a white blood cell condition, in patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation or implanted pain medicine pumps. The study suggests that eosinophilia may be an immune biomarker for chronic pain.
Researchers have identified a group of cells called Y1 receptor-expressing neurons in the brainstem's lateral parabrachial nucleus as critical for regulating long-term pain states. These neurons integrate information about hunger, fear and thirst, allowing pain signals to be modulated by other brain circuits signaling more urgent needs.
A pooled data analysis found tramadol to be ineffective in easing chronic pain, with a small and clinically insignificant effect. The use of tramadol was also associated with an increased risk of serious side effects, including heart disease and certain cancers.
Researchers discovered a new enzyme produced by Bacteroides fragilis that activates pain signaling. The enzyme is targeted with nanoparticles to develop treatments for gut pain in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The studies aim to restore balance between good and bad bacteria to reduce symptoms.
A new study found that 2/3 people with chronic pain reach for comfort foods to cope, offering pleasure, distraction, and relief from negative emotions. However, this can lead to weight gain, which worsens pain and increases health risks.
A new study found that healthy habits such as optimism, good sleep, and social support are strongly linked to healthier brains. Study participants who reported the most protective factors had brains eight years younger than their chronological age, and their brains aged more slowly over time.