Articles tagged with Chronic Pain
New research suggests states with medical marijuana laws have 25% lower prescription opioid overdose death rates compared to those without. This could be due to people choosing alternative treatments for chronic pain, or the law changing how prescription medications are abused.
A new study found that controlling pain during childbirth and post delivery may reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Women who had epidural anesthesia during labor had a significantly lower rate of depression compared to those without pain control.
A new study published in JAMA found that patients enrolled in a 12-month telecare program experienced significant improvement in chronic pain management, with twice the likelihood of pain reduction compared to usual care. The program also showed increased patient satisfaction.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding CRPS by replicating its symptoms in mice using antibodies from patients with the condition. The study suggests that autoantibodies may be the underlying cause of CRPS, offering hope for potential treatments.
A study found that nearly half of deployed soldiers reported combat injuries, with 44% experiencing chronic pain and 15.1% using opioids in the past month. The researchers emphasized the urgent need to address chronic pain and opioid misuse among military personnel.
A pilot study found that self-administered hand shiatsu pressure techniques can help participants with chronic lower-back pain fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The study's findings suggest that this low-cost alternative may be a valuable tool in addressing the sleep deprivation that often exacerbates chronic pain.
Researchers create systematic map of pain acuity distribution across body, revealing surprising similarities with touch sensitivity. The study uses lasers to cause pain in healthy volunteers and a rare patient lacking touch sensation, demonstrating that pain acuity does not rely on touch.
A new online training module improved medical student clinical skills in evaluating chronic pain, with 93% of exposed students passing an exam compared to 60% of non-exposed students. The module is the first curriculum resource created through the NIH Pain Consortium's Centers of Excellence in Pain Education program.
A study published in Pain journal found a genetic link between four common chronic pain syndromes, including IBS, musculoskeletal pain, pelvic pain, and dry eye disease. The research team analyzed over 8,000 twin pairs and concluded that each of the conditions is heritable, with a common genetic pathway estimated to be 66% heritable.
A study found that certain genes, such as DRD1 and COMT, are associated with low, moderate, or high pain perception. The discovery may lead to new therapies and better understanding of chronic pain.
Women with PVD (vulvar vestibulitis) who regulate their emotions in a satisfactory manner are more fulfilled sexually and relationally. Effective emotional communication can improve pain management and overall quality of life for couples.
A study by the University of Warwick found that sleep quality is a key driver of daytime physical activity in chronic pain patients. Engaging in physical activity can be a crucial treatment process for managing chronic pain. By improving sleep quality, sufferers may overcome their motivation to stay inactive due to pain.
Chronic pain researchers found that individuals with chronic tension-type headache exhibited impaired neuroplasticity, affecting their brain's ability to change and adapt. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for patients.
A comprehensive review by the American Psychological Association highlights psychologists' expertise in addressing chronic pain. Successful treatment approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and hypnosis, which offer more relief than prescription drugs or surgery.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, with low back pain and degenerative joint processes being common causes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not effective in many chronic pain scenarios, but antidepressants and anticonvulsants can provide remarkable relief.
Researchers at University of Utah developed Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement, reducing opioid misuse and pain-related impairment in chronic pain patients. The new treatment combines mindfulness training, reappraisal, and savoring to address underlying processes involved in chronic pain and opioid misuse.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 20-25% of the population worldwide and is caused by various factors such as nerve injuries and osteoarthritis. Researchers found that serotonin release from the brain stem into the spinal cord activates TRPV1, making it hyperactive in injured V2 and uninjured V3 branches.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, have identified a new natural compound in a traditional Chinese medicine plant that relieves chronic pain. The compound, dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB), acts on dopamine receptors and shows promise for treating low-level chronic pain without losing effectiveness over time.
A voxel-based morphometry study reveals regional gray matter volume abnormalities in chronic back pain patients compared to upper back pain patients. Gray matter atrophy affects perception and modulation of chronic pain, with subcortical increases found only in low back pain patients.
Researchers used brain imaging to track pregabalin's effects on fibromyalgia patients, finding reduced glutamate levels and decreased insula connectivity. This study suggests a future of targeted brain imaging approaches for chronic widespread pain treatment.
Research by Tel Aviv University researchers shows that torture survivors experience diminished pain inhibition and heightened pain excitation, leading to dysfunctional pain regulation. Non-physical forms of torture, such as psychological oppression and humiliation, may also contribute to chronic pain and poor pain regulation.
A new study suggests that early life stress can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in adulthood, particularly if followed by later stress exposure. The study found that rats subjected to early-life maternal neglect showed enhanced muscle pain in response to mild stress as adults.
Researchers develop a new molecule combining elements of Botox and tetanus toxin to alleviate inflammatory pain, offering potential relief for chronic pain conditions and epilepsy. The engineered molecule could improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain with a single injection providing prolonged pain relief.
Researchers analyzed conversations between chronic pain patients and their physicians about opioid treatment, revealing three patterns of physician responses: reassurance, avoidance, and gathering information. The study emphasizes the crucial role of a strong therapeutic alliance in discussing risks and benefits of opioid treatment.
BMC has been approved to receive two research awards from PCORI, focusing on socio-legal barriers in cancer care and effective treatments for chronic pain. The hospital's commitment to innovative health care delivery is highlighted through these studies.
A new Pain and Interoception Imaging Network (PAIN) will feature hundreds of brain scans and clinical information to tease out similarities and differences between chronic-pain conditions. The database aims to improve research and treatment development for conditions like migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that triathletes experience lower pain intensity and have a higher pain tolerance due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors. They were able to withstand pain for longer periods and had better pain regulation, which may be attributed to their attitude towards pain.
A study found that bariatric surgery led to greater chronic opioid use in patients with chronic pain, regardless of pre-surgery depression or chronic pain diagnoses. Weight loss after surgery did not reduce opioid use for these patients.
Researchers uncover a surprisingly long-lasting opioid mechanism for chronic pain control, which also leads to physical and physiological dependence. The study suggests that stress may be a key factor in relapse in chronic pain patients and raises questions about the long-term consequences of this mechanism.
New research from Northwestern University predicts chronic back pain after lower back injuries based on abnormalities in brain structure connections. The study found that specific irregularities in the axons of the brain's white matter can trigger chronic pain with high accuracy, offering new hope for early treatment and prevention.
Researchers used brain scans to find an anatomical marker for chronic pain in the brain, which may lead to changes in treatment. The study found a consistent difference in white matter between subjects who recovered and those with persistent pain.
Research suggests that patients' chronic pain affects their spouses' emotional well-being and marital satisfaction, leading to compromised sleep quality. In close relationships, the greater a patient's pain, the less refreshing the sleep for the spouse.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million US residents, costing $635 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. To address this issue, physicians must consider the psychological, social, and cultural contexts of their patients, as well as medication risks and benefits.
Researchers found significant reductions in pain severity (20%) and pain interference (30%) in patients after 24 weeks of integrative care. Integrative medicine interventions also showed improvements in mood, stress, quality of life, fatigue, sleep, and well-being.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that over 25% of children with cerebral palsy suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain, limiting their activity. Pediatricians should focus on identifying and treating the underlying causes of pain to improve health and quality of life for these children.
A study found that patients with COPD experience chronic pain comparable to those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with higher use of opioids. The researchers also noted a significant impact on quality of life and healthcare costs.
A new study has identified a genetic risk factor for persistent pain after traumatic events, such as motor vehicle collisions and sexual assaults. The research found that variation in the gene encoding for the protein FKBP5 is associated with a higher risk of moderate to severe neck pain six weeks after a motor vehicle collision.
Scientists have developed a way to predict pain levels by analyzing brain scan patterns, with accuracy of 90-100%. This breakthrough may lead to the development of reliable methods for doctors to objectively quantify patient pain. The study also explores potential applications in measuring anxiety, depression, and other emotional states.
Researchers found chronic pain to be a common complication of ischemic strokes, associated with greater decline in physical and cognitive function. Significant risk factors for post-stroke pain include increased severity of stroke, female gender, and vascular disease.
A new Hong Kong-based study suggests that targeting feelings of mental defeat can prevent severe depression, anxiety, and daily activity interference among chronic pain patients. Mental defeat occurs when pain is viewed as an 'enemy' taking over life and autonomy.
A new syndrome, juvenile-onset small-fiber polyneuropathy (JOSeFINE), has been identified as a possible cause of widespread chronic pain in children. Diagnostic tests including skin biopsies and autonomic function testing have been found to be useful in diagnosing the condition.
A pilot study assesses the Primary Practice Physician Program for Chronic Pain (4PCP) and its impact on patients with chronic pain. The program improves symptoms, including reduced pain, fatigue, and depression, as well as boosts physician confidence and efficiency.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study finds that childhood socioeconomic disadvantages and maternal depression increase the risk of major depression and chronic pain in working-aged adults. Hunger experienced in childhood can lead to chronic pain and depression later in life.
Researchers found that individuals with a smaller hippocampus are more vulnerable to stress and pain, leading to increased risk of chronic pain. Stress management techniques, such as relaxation and meditation, may help alleviate symptoms and prevent chronicity.
Researchers used brain imaging technique to examine patterns of brain connectivity in adults with chronic back pain and without. They found specific brain regions became less connected, predicting worsening chronic pain, suggesting potential biomarker for chronic pain perception.
Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that accurately predicts lower back pain in patients 76% of the time using brain scans. The study suggests structural changes in gray matter are associated with chronic lower back pain and may reflect pathology within the brain.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool are leading a £1.5 million project to trial `immunoglobulin' in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The study aims to explore the potential benefits of this new treatment approach for people with severe chronic pain.
A cross-sectional study of over 5,370 adolescents found a significant association between parental chronic pain and chronic pain in offspring. The study suggests that family pain models and shared environmental factors play an important role in the origin of chronic pain.
Researchers discovered a specific mutation in the sodium channel Nav1.7 that predicts which chronic pain patients will respond to carbamazepine treatment. The study offers hope for more systematic and effective treatment of chronic pain, potentially benefiting millions of Americans suffering from the condition.
A study of 29 randomized controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or sham acupuncture for managing some types of chronic pain. Patients who received acupuncture had lower pain scores compared to those in control groups.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed novel compounds targeting the glycine receptor to treat chronic pain without sedative effects. The project aims to create a safe and effective oral tablet, addressing a huge unmet medical need for 20% of adults in Europe and the US.
A study by University of Melbourne researchers found that doctors often fail to warn patients of risks affecting quality of life, particularly chronic pain and sexual dysfunction. To avoid 'he said/she said' disputes, keeping a clear record of consent discussions is key.
A University of Michigan Health System study found that women with vulvodynia are at a higher risk for other chronic pain conditions. The study showed that millions of women suffer from unexplained vulvar pain that can severely impact daily life.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center are implementing a new model of care in primary care settings to decrease opioid misuse and addiction among patients with chronic pain. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized practice guidelines and tools to improve provider monitoring and patient care.
Chronic pain patients with depression are more likely to misuse opioids, and primary care physicians should take a leading role in setting opioid prescribing standards. Safer alternatives like physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective treatments for chronic pain.
Researchers found that viewing media coverage of terrorist attacks increased pain levels and sensory component of pain in people already suffering from chronic pain. Stress and media exposure were also strongly related.
A Northwestern University study found that chronic pain develops when two brain sections communicate excessively, increasing the likelihood of chronic pain. Researchers predicted with 85% accuracy which participants would develop chronic pain based on brain scan data.
Researchers have identified a naturally occurring protein involved in generating chronic pain in rats, which could lead to new therapeutic treatments. The discovery highlights the impact of molecular signalling events on nerve transmission and offers promising avenues for pain relief.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully treated chronic neuropathic pain in mice by transplanting immature embryonic nerve cells into the spinal cord. The transplanted cells integrated into the nerve circuitry, forming synapses and signaling pathways with neighboring neurons, leading to a significant reduction in pain hypersensitivity.
A recent study by McGill University researchers has identified a key gene affecting chronic pain sensitivity, offering a potential new approach to individualized therapy. The findings suggest that targeting the pore-forming function of P2X7 receptors may provide relief for patients with genetically inherited low pain sensitivity.