A new study followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for three years, finding that social participation was associated with successful aging. Those who engaged in volunteer work and recreational activities were more likely to maintain excellent health and less likely to develop physical or mental problems.
A significant increase in illicit ketamine seizures in the US has raised concerns about the risks of non-medical and recreational use, as well as the presence of fentanyl. The study found a 349% rise in seizures from 2017 to 2022, with the highest numbers reported in Tennessee, Florida, and California.
A new analysis of over 10,000 adults reveals that physically active individuals have higher pain tolerance than sedentary ones. The study suggests that boosting physical activity could be a potential strategy for easing chronic pain.
A new study found that marathon running causes significant damage to extrinsic foot muscles, while intrinsic muscles are less affected. The research suggests that marathon runners can take steps to prevent injuries by prioritizing recovery and muscle fatigue management.
A new treatment has been developed to help people stop needing opioid painkillers for chronic pain, with promising results in a clinical trial. The intervention programme combines one-to-one and group support to guide individuals in coming off opioids, teaching them alternative techniques to manage their pain.
Researchers have recorded pain-related data from inside the brains of individuals with chronic pain disorders, identifying an area associated with chronic pain and objective biomarkers. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, represent a step towards developing novel methods for tracking and treating chronic pain.
Researchers have identified a brain marker that may indicate future suicide risk, suggesting potential new treatments and prevention strategies. The study found differences in brain connections among veterans with a history of suicide attempts compared to those without, which could help identify individuals at risk.
The study reveals that US adults are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, with high incidence rates compared to other chronic conditions. The findings emphasize the need for early prevention and management strategies to mitigate the disease burden of chronic pain in the US population.
A new Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that patients with low pain self-efficacy are more likely to use daily prescribed opioids before surgery. Surgeons can use pain self-efficacy scores to identify high-risk patients and provide education and counseling to improve post-surgery outcomes.
A Cochrane review found that most antidepressants used to manage chronic pain lack sufficient evidence of their effectiveness, with only duloxetine showing reliable pain relief. The review also revealed that harms from many commonly recommended drugs have not been well studied, posing a global public health concern.
Researchers uncover a pathophysiological mechanism that initiates and sustains neuropathic pain in mice, identifying Tiam1 as a potential therapeutic target. Targeting spinal Tiam1 with antisense oligonucleotides alleviates neuropathic pain hypersensitivity, offering promise for treating chronic pain.
Researchers at University of Queensland have identified a novel pain pathway triggered by the Gympie-Gympie tree's toxins, which could lead to non-opioid pain relief. The gympietide toxin interacts with nerves after injection through fine needle-like hairs on the leaves and requires a partner protein called TMEM233 to function.
A new study suggests that comparing one's earnings relative to peers can induce negative emotions leading to physical pain. The study found this link persisted in both rich and poor countries, regardless of income level.
A new study suggests that volunteering with any organisation reduces the effects of physical pain on the ability to work more than donating money to charity. Volunteering has a larger effect, with approximately 10 times the pain easing effect compared to each additional year of age.
A study by Ruhr-University Bochum's Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy found altered brain activity in patients with fibromyalgia, which may contribute to the disorder's characteristic inability to control pain. The research provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
A recent clinical study found that an online e-health program helped more people with chronic pain reduce their opioid medications and pain intensity than a control group. The program, called Goalistics Chronic Pain Management, improved pain knowledge, confidence managing pain, and coping skills.
Researchers found that physician empathy and communication are strongly associated with patient satisfaction for chronic low back pain. Patients highly value physicians who validate their concerns and communicate treatment plans and expectations.
A recent study has found a significant link between fibromyalgia and increased odds of exacerbation in pain-related opioid use disorder. Researchers surveyed 125 individuals living with both conditions, revealing that those with fibromyalgia were more likely to report worsening addiction symptoms due to chronic pain.
A WVU researcher is working on a biopsychosocial intervention to help people with chronic hip pain move and regain mobility. The intervention, called HIPS, combines mindfulness techniques like self-compassion and progressive relaxation with goal-setting and diaphragmatic breathing to reduce pain and increase physical activity.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.
Researchers have created wearable microscopes to produce high-definition, real-time images of mouse spinal cord activity across previously inaccessible regions. This technology enables unprecedented insight into the neural basis of sensations and movement in healthy and disease contexts.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) can improve daily functioning and reduce perceived pain among patients with chronic low back pain. Statistically significant improvements were observed in domains such as sleep, reaching, and bending forward.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...
A new review found that spinal cord stimulation is no better than a placebo for treating low back pain, with probably little to no benefit for people with the condition. The review also highlighted gaps in clinical data and called for future trials to be longer and more comprehensive.
A team of scientists has developed a novel, implantable drug delivery system that can be controlled by external light sources and is absorbable by the body. This technology has promising implications for treating various medical conditions, including pain management and cancer treatment.
Researchers have discovered a gene mutation that can block chronic pain and provide protection against other stimuli, including heart and brain cells. The TRPV1 receptor mutation, found in avian species, was successfully transplanted into mice, showing reduced pain sensitivity and improved protective effects.
A systematic review of Cognitive Functional Therapy found it to be no better than traditional therapies in reducing pain and disability in people with chronic low back pain. The researchers call for future trials featuring blinded participants and larger sample sizes to improve current evidence.
A new study found that chronic pain's biggest threat to mental wellbeing isn't intensity, but how it interferes with daily activities. Researchers discovered that people with chronic pain who maintain flexible goals and adapt to obstacles tend to have better mental wellbeing.
Researchers found a significant link between chronic pain and dementia, with multisite chronic pain increasing the risk of neurocognitive abnormality by up to eight years.
A recent study found that adults with type 1 diabetes are at a high risk of being overweight or obese, but only half receive lifestyle recommendations to manage their weight. The study also highlighted the importance of individualized patient education in improving weight management for these patients.
A new study suggests that virtual reality exercises can reduce pelvic pain in women with endometriosis, offering a potential digital health solution. The study found that VR and telehealth exercise sessions provided immediate relief from pain, similar to traditional supervised exercise sessions.
A comprehensive review of antidepressant use in chronic pain found that some classes were effective in treating certain conditions, while others showed unclear or unknown benefits. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine demonstrated efficacy for various pain conditions.
Researchers found that some antidepressant classes were effective in treating specific pain conditions, while others showed no benefits or unknown effects. The review of 26 systematic reviews involving over 25,000 participants suggests a more nuanced approach to prescribing antidepressants for chronic pain management is needed.
A study found that receiving medical cannabis for thirty days or more can lead to a significant reduction in prescription opioid dosages among patients on long-term opioid therapy. Patients who were on higher baseline dosages of prescription opioids experienced larger reductions in opioid dosages.
Researchers found that spinal cord stimulation improved insomnia severity index and Epworth sleepiness scale scores by at least 30% in 39.1% and 28.1% of participants, respectively. The study also established minimally clinical important difference values to gauge treatment success.
A new study published by the University of Leeds reveals that people with arthritis are 20% less likely to be in work compared to their peers without the condition. The most striking finding is that non-university educated women aged 60-plus are at least 37% less likely to be in work if they have arthritis.
Researchers have uncovered the underlying mechanism driving depressive systems in chronic pain, identifying a potential therapeutic target for treatment. Tiam1 protein modulates neural connections, leading to hypersensitivity and depression; ketamine blocks this effect, alleviating symptoms.
A study by University of Pittsburgh and Cornell University scientists found that states with recreational cannabis laws saw a significant reduction in pharmacy-based codeine distribution. This reduction is promising from a public health perspective, as prescription opioid misuse contributes to thousands of overdose deaths annually.
A new study from Flinders University found that a telehealth program delivering individualized coaching improves self-management and reduces suffering for people with chronic pain. The program, called Rethinking Pain, provides access to care and support for those living in rural areas who face long wait times for specialist care.
A new study found that nearly a third of patients with chronic pain use cannabis to manage their symptoms, leading to decreased use of pain medications. The study suggests that further research is needed to understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis for chronic pain management.
A survey study found that 3 in 10 adults with chronic pain in states with medical cannabis laws used cannabis to manage their pain, often substituting it for other pain medications. The study highlights the importance of researching the effectiveness and potential adverse consequences of cannabis for chronic pain management.
Researchers have identified Piezo2, a receptor responsible for sensing touch and temperature, as the key player in gut pain. Selectively targeting this channel may lead to new treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Research from Boston Medical Center reveals Black and Hispanic patients are more prone to developing high-impact chronic lower back pain compared to White patients. The study suggests experiences of discrimination and unmet social needs may contribute to these racial disparities.
The Cleveland Clinic is developing a stem cell treatment for complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating disease that causes chronic pain, using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The research has long-term potential for providing patients an alternative to addictive opioid treatments.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine have developed a handheld ultrasound device to treat neuropathic pain. The device uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to target specific areas of the nervous system, offering a non-invasive and non-opioid-based treatment option.
A world-first study found that chronic pain in stroke survivors can alter body perception, increasing accident risk. Researchers discovered that nearly three times as many stroke survivors with chronic pain experience altered body perception compared to those without.
Persistent pain was common among US adults aged 65+, with declines in physical function (64% persistent pain, 59% intermittent) and well-being (48% persistent pain, 45% intermittent). Cognitive decline was not significantly affected. The study highlights the importance of access to effective treatment for persistent pain in older adults.
A study suggests that abruptly stopping prescribed opioids for chronic pain increases the risk of overdose, particularly among individuals without opioid use disorder. However, tapering opioid therapy is associated with a decreased risk of overdose in those with opioid use disorder who have not received opioid agonist therapy.
A large-scale study of 20,000 older adults found that nearly half who had experienced depression before reported being depressed again, highlighting the pandemic's devastating impact on mental health. Factors associated with depression included low income, chronic pain, and family conflict.
A new study in mice suggests that a short-term high-fat diet can induce hyperalgesic priming and allodynia, even in the absence of injury or preexisting conditions like obesity or diabetes. Researchers found that palmitic acid, a type of saturated fatty acid, binds to nerve cells, causing inflammation and mimicking injury to neurons.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that chronic pain at age 44 is associated with poor mental health outcomes, joblessness, and general health issues in later decades. The research also suggests a link between chronic pain and COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for attention to chronic pain as a public health concern.
A study found that wearing green eyeglasses reduces pain-related anxiety and decreases opioid use in fibromyalgia patients. The treatment uses specially formulated lenses to filter specific wavelengths of green light, which stimulates pathways in the brain to manage pain.
Researchers developed a novel three-core optical fiber sensor to accurately measure both the magnitude and direction of spine curvature. The sensor offers advantages like low cost, high sensitivity, and small size, making it a promising tool for doctors to diagnose problems in spine curvature.
A new study found that medical cannabis users reported significant improvements in pain management, social functioning, and overall health. The majority of participants were able to stop or reduce their opioid use, with some experiencing a five-fold decrease in hydrocodone prescriptions.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to develop monoclonal antibodies that can bind to specific ion channels in nerve cells, inhibiting pain signal transmission. The goal is to create a monthly, non-addictive pain medication to replace opioids, which can lead to addiction.
A Rutgers study finds CBD improves glucose disposal, burns energy, and enhances bone density in estrogen-deficient mice. The compound also reduces inflammation and boosts beneficial gut bacteria.
Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.
A University of Oklahoma study found a connection between symptomatic COVID-19 infections and impaired pain modulation. Researchers measured participants' pain thresholds and signals sent from the central nervous system, revealing that those with symptomatic infections had normal but not increased pain modulation.
A newly identified link between chronic pain and lung cancer in mice suggests that old drugs such as clonidine, capsaicin, and fluphenazine may offer new treatments for chronic pain. The study found that blocking the BH4 pathway reduced pain sensitivity and decreased tumor growth in mouse models of KRAS-driven lung cancer.
Patients with long-term neuropathic pain took significantly fewer sick days after spinal cord stimulation treatment, indicating improved life quality. The study suggests that the treatment can increase life expectancy and reduce productivity loss for patients, resulting in cost savings for society.