Articles tagged with Chronic Pain
Researchers at Lund University have developed a promising new pain relief method using ultra-thin microelectrodes, providing effective and personalized pain relief without common side effects. The study showed that this technique can block pain signals in the brain without affecting other sensory systems or motor skills.
Dysfunction in mitochondrial respiration leads to imbalanced extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue organization in cartilage. Research discovered the respiratory chain plays a key role in maintaining ECM balance.
A 'think-twice' campaign for GPs has been found effective in reducing opioid prescribing in primary care, resulting in a net saving to the NHS of £700,000. The campaign led to a reduction of 15,000 fewer patients being given opioids over a year-long trial.
A new study shows that a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can provide potent and durable relief for chronic back pain in two-thirds of patients. The treatment alters brain networks associated with pain processing, reducing symptoms that last for up to one year.
Scientists at Temple University will explore the therapeutic potential of KLS-13019, a CBD analog that shows promise as an opioid alternative. The Phase 2 SBIR grant aims to test the compound's effects on rat models of neuropathic pain, shedding light on its safety and efficacy.
A panel of international experts recommends a trial of non-inhaled medical cannabis or cannabinoids for people with moderate to severe chronic pain, where standard care is insufficient. The recommendation is based on systematic reviews of 32 trials and found small improvements in pain intensity but no benefits in emotional functioning.
Research finds widespread pain associated with a heightened risk of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. People with widespread pain were 43% more likely to have any type of dementia and 47% more likely to have Alzheimer's disease compared to those without widespread pain.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that analyzing pain distribution can predict chronic pain outcomes. Researchers identified 9 distinct groupings of pain distribution, which varied significantly across subgroups in terms of demographic and medical characteristics, pain intensity, impact, and neuropathic pain quality. The study...
A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable opioid therapy who had their doses tapered had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis. The study suggests that patients undergoing tapering need significant support to safely reduce or discontinue their opioids.
Researchers have developed a wireless, battery-free device that can illuminate neuron activity in the brain without penetrating the skull or tissue. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize treatments for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and depression by enabling less invasive optogenetics experiments.
A new study found that people with chronic pain have lower levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate emotions, leading to increased negative emotions and impaired emotional regulation. The researchers hope their online emotional recovery program may provide a non-pharmaceutical solution for those affected.
A new study published in Age and Ageing found that hypothetical adverse life scenarios, such as dementia and chronic pain, significantly reduce people's desire to live into older ages. The study analyzed data from Norway, where the average preferred life expectancy was 91.4 years.
A recent study from Lawson Health Research Institute found that frequent use of Paravertebral blocks increases health care utilization, including physician visits and other injection procedures. The study also showed no overall change in opioid dosage after the initiation of PVB treatment.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers found that a diet higher in fatty fish and lower in vegetable oils can reduce the number of migraines and intensity of pain. Participants experienced a 30-40% reduction in headache hours per day compared to those on a control diet.
A £14 million investment from UKRI and Versus Arthritis will massively scale up research into chronic pain, with a focus on the psychosocial aspect. The project aims to understand how psychological and social factors influence pain development and maintenance, and will work with people living with pain every step of the way.
A computerized brain implant effectively relieves short-term and chronic pain in rodents, detecting brain activity linked to pain and triggering therapeutic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. The device reduces pain intensity and is less likely to cause addiction, offering a promising new strategy for pain therapy.
Interdisciplinary consultations support primary care physicians in managing complex pain and addiction. PCPs express needs for expertise, safe prescribing, and communication strategies to effectively care for patients with chronic pain and addiction.
A comprehensive new study reveals that chronic pain is on the rise across all adult demographics, with pain increasing in every age group and demographic. The research suggests that physical health conditions, distress, and alcohol use are closely associated with chronic pain trends.
Researchers advocate for a comprehensive approach to chronic pain management by considering the person as a whole. This includes addressing socio-cultural practices, subjective experience, and learning behavioral patterns to develop an action-oriented treatment plan.
According to a new study published in Pain, nearly one-fifth of American adults (20.5%) suffer from chronic pain, with significant impacts on workdays missed, social activities, and daily living. The total economic burden is estimated at nearly $300 billion annually, including lost wages and productivity.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.
Researchers found that virtual reality can reduce types of pain typically seen in patients with nerve injuries, including prickling and touch-related pain. The study also showed that VR can boost the body's natural pain inhibiting process by enhancing conditioned pain modulation.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to mine physiological data from patients with chronic pain, detecting changes in pain levels and atypical fluctuations. The study aims to provide a more precise treatment method by supplementing subjective pain assessments with objective data-driven approaches.
A digital app called Manage My Pain has been shown to reduce key symptoms of chronic pain, including anxiety and pain catastrophizing. The study found that patients who used the app saw clinically significant reductions in these areas, leading to better management of their pain.
A new study from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry confirms that low-dose naltrexone is a good option for patients with orofacial and chronic pain, reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life. Low-dose naltrexone works by targeting sensitized nervous cells to reduce pain threshold and sensitivity.
A new study found that healthy individuals experiencing everyday pain show deficits in working memory due to increased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Pain intensity was directly associated with worse performance on a working memory task, while certain aspects of emotional distress were not linked to impairments.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a new technique to replicate sensory neurons involved in pain sensation, providing ample resources for testing potential drugs. The technique allows for the easy generation of large numbers of cells, enabling the simultaneous testing of thousands of samples or potential drug libraries.
Chronic pain and emotional pain are intertwined, with opioids making things worse in the long term. Researchers recommend tapering down or switching to buprenorphine for high-dose long-term opioid users without improvement in pain and function.
Researchers investigate the body's own pain control system using Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) and find that two different stimuli can reduce pain to a similar degree. The study used electrical stimulation of the skin as a new test stimulus, allowing for objective measurement of brain activity.
A systematic review found exercise provides relief from chronic low back pain, but researchers disagree on why it's effective. Common reasons proposed include improvements in fitness and mood, yet the effects of these factors on outcomes are often not examined.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is developing a comprehensive approach to managing chronic pain in older adults by reducing opioid use and promoting non-opioid alternatives. The grant aims to establish standards for pain management that prioritize non-opioid medications, treatments, and physical therapy options.
Researchers Brian Litt and Gregory Corder received $5.6M and $2.4M NIH awards to develop autonomous neurodevices that learn from patients and predict seizures. They aim to improve chronic pain management without opioid side effects.
Ru-Rong Ji, a renowned anesthesiologist, receives the ASA Excellence in Research Award for his extensive work on understanding chronic pain mechanisms. His research has refined key processes underlying pain development and improved treatment options.
A study found that participants in an eight-week MBSR course reported significant improvements in pain, depression, and disability. The program helped patients cope with their pain and improve their mental and physical health.
A study found that people who catastrophize about their pain are less likely to be physically active later in the day, leading to a cycle of sedentary behavior and worsened pain. This psychological factor may explain why patients with chronic pain avoid physical activities despite its importance for pain management.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science identify key molecule regulating biomolecular messaging in nerve cells, which plays a role in chronic pain. Targeting this molecule, importin alpha-3, could provide new options for treating chronic pain with fewer side effects.
A new neurofeedback approach, Decoded Neurofeedback (DecNef), has been explored in a preclinical study to treat chronic pain. The study found that DecNef enhances the brain's natural ability to control pain by boosting the 'endogenous pain control system', which is often dysfunctional in chronic pain patients.
A new study finds that providers participating in an intervention with education and resources are more likely to adhere to national chronic opioid therapy guidelines compared to those who do not take part. The intervention includes access to a nurse care manager, addiction specialists, and monitoring of prescription usage.
A new molecular imaging approach using PET/MRI has been developed to precisely identify the location of pain generators in chronic pain patients. This approach resulted in a significant modification of management plans for nearly half of the patients, with some receiving invasive procedures.
Researchers at the University of Bath suggest that the shift to online consultations is helping patients with chronic pain access vital support during the pandemic. The study highlights the potential benefits of telemedicine in delivering services for patients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and persistent he...
A new treatment for chronic pain has been developed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, tested in mice and published in EMBO Molecular Medicine. The targeted peptide Tat-P4-(C5)2 achieves complete pain relief without side effects.
A study of 40 people with subacute back pain found that those at risk of developing chronic back pain have smaller volumes in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain structure. The loss of low-frequency fluctuations in this region can accurately classify chronic low back pain patients across different laboratories.
Researchers from UC Davis Health and BHI call for broader use of mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness to reduce symptoms of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain. Integrating these practices into patient treatment plans can help improve quality of life.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that more than 90% of legal marijuana products offered in medical dispensaries are stronger than recommended for chronic pain relief. This can lead to increased risk of developing cannabis-use disorders and tolerance, according to the study's lead author.
A new framework for managing chronic pain in older adults emphasizes the importance of combining pharmacologic strategies with nondrug therapies. The 'start low, go slow' approach suggests beginning with low-risk, noninvasive options that involve patients in their own care, while judiciously using higher-risk treatments as needed.
A peer-delivered program incorporating cognitive behavioral approaches improved health outcomes in rural adults with diabetes. Participants showed significant improvements in functional status, pain, and quality of life compared to a control group.
Media reports on chronic pain focus on opioid-based treatments and cannabis, overlooking evidence-based non-pharmaceutical options. Research analysis reveals limited attention to adverse effects of medicinal cannabis and inadequate resources for pain management.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for chronic pain caused by burns, targeting PAK1 molecule. The discovery of Romidepsin, an existing cancer drug, provides a promising avenue for re-purposing to treat long-lasting complications.
A five-year case study at a Boston family medicine clinic shows medical facilities can help physicians treat chronic pain while deterring opioid misuse. The study introduced new systems, structures, and staff support to create collaborative, interdisciplinary care.
A study based on over 140,000 VA health records found that non-drug therapies for chronic pain reduced the risk of alcohol and drug disorders, opioid poisoning, and suicidal thoughts. Non-drug treatments like acupuncture and massage were linked to lower risks of these adverse outcomes.
Daily cannabis use reduces illicit opioid use among people with chronic pain, researchers found in a study published in PLOS Medicine. The study of over 1,100 participants suggests that cannabis may be a beneficial alternative to opioids for pain management.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center will develop a meta-portal to provide access to analytics tools and data sets for researchers studying the biological characteristics underlying acute-to-chronic pain transition. Researchers aim to identify biomarkers that can predict chronic pain for medical and public health use.
A small study published in Pain Reports found that immersive VR scenes of Arctic exploration can reduce perceived ongoing pain and sensitivity to painful stimuli. The researchers believe that VR may trigger the body's own pain-fighting systems, leading to a decrease in chronic pain symptoms.
Australian researchers have discovered a link between itchy skin and gut pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients. The study found that identical receptors cause both conditions, leading to chronic abdominal pain and rewiring of the nervous system.
A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that combining mindfulness techniques with methadone therapy reduces opioid cravings and improves pain management. Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that mindfulness-based interventions can increase self-awareness, self-control over cravings, and emotional regulation.
Researchers have identified RGS4 as a multifunctional protein that contributes to the transition from acute and sub-acute pain to pathological pain states. Inhibiting RGS4 action disrupts the maintenance of chronic pain, promoting recovery in preclinical models.
A new study at Boston Medical Center aims to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in treating chronic lower back pain. The 8-week group mindfulness program may improve patients' physical and psychological function, as well as their likelihood of reducing opioid prescriptions.
Chronic pain leads to depression by suppressing brain reward system, say Hokkaido University researchers. Their study found that blocking excessive CRF signals can increase dopamine neuron activity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain and depression.
Researchers at UCalgary and Stanford University have discovered a long-range circuit in the brain that carries pain signals and is altered during chronic pain states. This understanding may lead to new drug therapies and targeted brain stimulation treatments to address chronic nerve pain.
CBD oils may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve sleep and anxiety, but human trials are limited due to concerns over liver injury. Physicians need to become better informed about CBD products to provide effective treatment options for chronic pain management.