Articles tagged with Chronic Pain
A 10-minute brain scan can predict the effectiveness of a risky spinal surgery to alleviate intractable pain. The study found that patients who responded better to spinal cord stimulation therapy had weaker connections between certain brain networks.
A wearable electrical nerve stimulation device has been shown to provide significant relief from long COVID symptoms such as pain and fatigue. Researchers found that the high-dose TENS group experienced notable improvements in pain relief and walking ability.
MD Anderson researchers have made significant advancements in treating chronic pain, myelodysplastic syndrome, and rare cancers. A novel treatment for chronic pain has been developed with reduced side effects, while targeted therapies like canakinumab show promise for personalized approaches.
Researchers at Linköping University pinpointed the exact location of a specific calcium channel fine-tuning pain signals. This knowledge can be used to develop drugs for chronic pain that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis found spinal cord stimulation therapies to be more effective in reducing chronic back and leg pain. These findings suggest spinal cord stimulation as a valuable option for chronic pain management.
Researchers trained an AI model on goat faces in pain, achieving 62-80% accuracy. This technology may help clinicians treat pain effectively in patients who cannot speak. The goal is to develop a more generalizable system for pain assessment in animals and eventually humans.
A recent study found that effective physician-patient communication during the initial consultation helps patients manage their uncertainties, including fears, anxieties, and confidence in coping with their condition. The study revealed that informational competence and socioemotional communication competence are crucial for reducing p...
A study by Northwestern University found that cross-talk between the hippocampus and cortex can predict chronic pain, with higher anxiety levels increasing precision. The researchers suggest targeting anxiety after injury to prevent chronic pain, paving the way for novel treatments.
A team of researchers, funded by ARPA-H, aims to create an objective quantitative tool to assess pain in patients. They will use biomarkers such as stress hormones and neurotransmitters to generate a composite panel of markers that can be monitored on a portable device.
A team led by Timothy Sell will investigate cervical spine injuries in special forces combat soldiers, analyzing design features and risk factors for injury prevention. The study aims to develop interventions to reduce chronic pain and disability among military personnel.
The University of Minnesota Medical School is studying how pain influences drinking behavior, particularly in individuals with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Researchers aim to identify new treatment targets to help people with pain avoid alcohol-related problems.
A recent study found that smokers report higher rates of chronic pain, poor mental health, and severe work limitations due to pain. Quitting smoking can reduce prescription opioid use and associated health problems, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment programs.
Research has shown that people with hip osteoarthritis are unable to activate their muscles as efficiently due to the brain's inhibitory response. Dr. Myles Murphy and his team investigated muscle function in patients with hip osteoarthritis, finding a strong correlation between muscle activation and joint degeneration.
The University of Minnesota Medical School is studying the epigenetic factors of low back pain using a five-year, $3.2 million grant. This research aims to identify new treatments targeting disc degeneration and chronic back pain.
A Rutgers Health study found that 71% of chronic pain patients supported federal legalization of medical cannabis, while 59% of physicians held similar views. Personal experience and education on cannabis use played significant roles in shaping attitudes among both groups.
Veterinary scientists at Université de Montréal have created a way to scan the brains of cats while they're awake by concealing electrodes in crocheted wool caps. This new technique uses electroencephalograms (EEGs) and can help alleviate chronic pain in cats.
A new study from the University of South Australia highlights the importance of validating children's pain experiences to prevent chronic pain. Researchers found that by demonstrating acceptance, understanding, and legitimacy, parents and doctors can help children feel heard and believed, leading to better emotional regulation skills a...
A new $4 million grant aims to test auricular point acupressure as a treatment for chronic pain in rural populations. The project, led by UTHealth Houston and USC, will use a smartphone app to guide patients through self-administered ear stimulation.
A new review found that one-third of children with chronic pain also meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder, while one in eight meets the criteria for a depressive disorder. The study suggests that clinicians should consider screening for mental health issues when treating young patients with chronic pain.
A new study reveals that mindfulness meditation reduces pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings by directly modifying how we experience pain. Unlike the placebo cream, which only affects brain activity patterns associated with the placebo effect, mindfulness meditation employs a separate neural pathway to alleviate pain.
Researchers at the University of Utah developed Diadem, a noninvasive device that stimulates deep brain regions to disrupt faulty signals causing chronic pain. In a recent clinical trial, participants experienced significant pain relief after just one treatment session.
A new UBC Okanagan study emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing neuropathic pain in high-performance athletes with spinal cord injuries. The research stresses the need for sports medicine clinicians and trainers to use standardized assessment tools, including symptom-based questionnaires, to better understand and communi...
A randomized clinical trial tested the effectiveness of two eight-week telehealth mindfulness-based interventions, finding they improved pain and overall well-being among veterans with chronic pain. The scalable format made it accessible for patients, suggesting a potential solution to accelerate non-medication pain treatment.
Scalable telehealth mindfulness-based interventions show promise in treating chronic pain by improving function and reducing symptoms. The low-resource approach could accelerate the adoption of nonpharmacological pain treatment in healthcare systems.
A review of 148 studies found nearly one in ten patients experience opioid dependence or disorder, while nearly one in three show symptoms. The study emphasizes the need for accurate estimates to develop effective interventions and manage the problem.
Mark Lumley, a distinguished professor at Wayne State University, received the 2024 Nathan W. Perry Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology. He was recognized for his decades-long contributions to the field of health psychology, particularly in chronic pain disorders.
A new study uses artificial intelligence to predict which breast cancer patients are most at risk for developing chronic pain, with anxiety and depression being leading factors. The AI model was built with detailed data on over 1,000 breast cancer patients and correctly predicted chronic pain more than 80% of the time.
Researchers found that adults with chronic pain experience higher rates of anxiety and depression but access mental health care at lower rates. Only 44.4% of those with chronic pain received adequate treatment for their symptoms, compared to 71.5% without chronic pain.
Researchers identified a viable path to developing a novel therapy that would make opioids more effective and safer as a treatment for chronic pain. The study found that selective Hsp90 inhibitors amplified the pain-relieving effects of morphine, reducing tolerance and side effects.
Researchers found that a specific gene variation in women with chronic pelvic pain makes them more likely to respond to the medication gabapentin. The study could lead to tailored treatment and minimize adverse effects for millions of women worldwide.
A cross-sectional study of CTE patients found that years of contact sports participation are linked to substantia nigra pathology, leading to parkinsonism. The study suggests that repetitive head impacts may trigger neuropathologic processes in individuals with CTE.
A new study found that surgical weight loss significantly reduces widespread pain in Black and Hispanic patients, with the greatest benefit seen within the first three months after surgery. However, disparities persist, with these groups still experiencing a higher pain burden than the general population.
A team of researchers has identified the PIEZO2 protein as a critical mediator of sensory signals that maintain chronic pain. The study found that gain-of-function mutations in the PIEZO2 gene can mimic the effects of chronic pain in C-fibers, suggesting a new target for pain medication.
A new study reveals that military women and female family members face significantly higher risks of chronic pain, with those serving during periods of heightened combat deployments facing a 53% higher likelihood of developing the condition. The study also found associations between chronic pain, mental health, and socioeconomic status.
A study led by UCLA Health found that emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) significantly reduces chronic pain among older adults compared to cognitive behavioral therapy. EAET helps patients confront and release traumatic emotions, leading to a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.
A study by the University of Toronto found that 43% of Canadians with a history of bipolar disorder were symptom-free and 23.5% had achieved complete mental health. Factors contributing to psychological flourishing included having a trusted confidant, using spirituality as coping mechanisms, and absence of disabling chronic pain.
A recent study published in BRAIN found that males and females differ in their experience of pain due to functional sex differences in nociceptors. The findings support the implementation of a precision medicine-based approach considering patient sex as fundamental to treatment choices.
A case report describes the successful use of thoracic paravertebral blocking to manage severe chronic pain associated with post-herpetic neuralgia. The procedure, involving repeated injections of levobupivacaine and dexamethasone, resulted in significant pain subsidence and reduced medication needs.
Researchers found that five cannabis terpenes reduced chronic neuropathic pain levels comparable to morphine. The combination of terpenes and morphine enhanced pain relief without negative side effects. Terpenes offer an alternative to opioids for pain management with a better side effect profile.
A team of visionaries at the Carney Institute developed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants, revolutionizing surgical implantations and optical access. Bioluminescence imaging overcomes limitations of traditional fluorescent microscopy, providing unprecedented observation of neural and vascular activity.
A recent study in Brazil found that over 27% of children and adolescents suffer from musculoskeletal pain, with back and leg pain being the most common complaints. The study highlights the need for better understanding and planning of public health policy regarding treatment of chronic pain in adults.
A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.
Researchers developed tiny, flexible devices that can wrap around individual nerve fibers without damaging them. The robotic nerve cuffs are sensitive enough to grasp delicate nerves and only require tiny voltages to change shape.
A new study found that people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are twice as likely to develop chronic musculoskeletal pain following an injury. The researchers identified several factors, including smoking, fear of movement, and poorer support networks, that contribute to the development of chronic pain.
A study of 1,470 adults with chronic low back pain found that physician empathy was associated with improved outcomes over 12 months. Greater efforts to cultivate and improve physician empathy are warranted.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that blocking Tiam1 activity in spinal neurons abrogates morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in a mouse model. Prolonged morphine treatment increased activated Tiam1 levels, leading to dendritic spine morphological changes.
A study of over 10,000 adults found that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of chronic pain and reduced severe pain severity. Higher activity levels are linked to increased pain tolerance, which explains the protective effect.
A recent study published in The Journal of Pain has found that CBD products are ineffective in reducing chronic pain and may pose health risks. The research, led by the University of Bath, examined existing studies on CBD and concluded that there is no quality evidence to support its use as a pain reliever.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...
A new study from the University of Portsmouth found that people with musculoskeletal pain complaints tend to retire earlier compared to pain-free participants. Participants suffering from musculoskeletal pain were also 1.25 times more likely to cease work sooner, whether or not they described themselves as retired.
A two-question survey identifies patients at risk of poor pain outcomes, who are then steered to holistic services with significant reductions in morphine dose. Holistic interventions, including pain management and behavioral health programs, lead to better outcomes than traditional chronic pain management approaches.
A study of 1,156 individuals aged 50+ found that those with more musculoskeletal pain complaints tended to retire earlier than pain-free participants. Chronic pain was also linked to a higher risk of ceasing work sooner, even after controlling for other factors.
A new study by UArizona Health Sciences researchers found that sleep disturbances increase the vulnerability to migraine attacks. Improving sleep health may decrease the likelihood of migraine attacks in people with migraine. The study used preclinical mouse models and found no link between migraine-like pain and disrupted sleep.
A recent article recommends measuring meaningful outcomes such as pain interference, self-efficacy, and physical functioning to improve the evidence-base for music therapy within sickle cell disease populations. Music therapists can play an important role in chronic pain management by addressing stress, depressed mood, and loneliness.
A new study led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute aims to determine whether AI can help doctors predict which patients will benefit from mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing chronic lower back pain. The research uses machine learning and physiological data from fitness sensors to detect patterns that may not be apparent to d...
A recent survey of Norwegian adults found that one in eight individuals who underwent cosmetic surgery experienced chronic post-operative pain. The study highlights the increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures and the need for better awareness about potential complications, including chronic pain.
Researchers investigate the effectiveness and safety of the Angel Touch device (AT-04) in managing endometriosis-related pain. The study, led by Associate Professor Hiroshi Ishikawa at Chiba University, aims to assess the device's ability to alleviate pain and improve quality of life for women with the condition.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found applying low-intensity focused ultrasound to the brain can reduce pain perception, brain activity, and cardiac responses. The non-invasive technique may provide a new therapeutic option for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center developed a quality improvement project using routine pain screening, revealing 32.7% of patients reported persistent or chronic pain, with music therapy and art therapy preferred for managing pain.
Researchers used low-intensity focused ultrasound to target the insula, a brain region associated with pain processing. The study found that participants experienced an average reduction in pain of three-fourths of a point, as well as decreased physical responses to pain-induced stress.