Articles tagged with Chronic Pain
Dr. Michael Stanton-Hicks is a pioneer in the management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), with extensive contributions to neurostimulation and chronic pain research. He has bridged advances in neurostimulation, taxonomizing CRPS, and improved patient care through his work at the Cleveland Clinic.
Researchers found that chronic pain distorts the intensity of pain perception in other body parts by rewiring circuits in the anterior cingulate cortex. This causes a greater reaction to painful stimuli throughout the body, with far-reaching consequences for mental health and disease treatment.
Psychologist Robert Gatchel's research highlights how patients' irrational beliefs about chronic pain can impact treatment outcomes and pain management. His work suggests that a more comprehensive approach to treatment is needed, incorporating lifestyle habits, attitudes, and social support systems.
A new study published in Pain found that opioid use among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans is comparable to the general US population. Chronic pain management with opioids was strongly associated with PTSD, major depressive disorder, tobacco use, and rural residence.
A new study reveals that acupuncture improves carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms by rewiring the primary somatosensory cortex in the brain. Real acupuncture at the affected hand led to measurable improvements in outcomes and long-term symptom relief, while sham acupuncture had no physiologic effects.
A new study published in the BMJ Journal for Medical Humanities found that shared reading can be a useful therapy for chronic pain sufferers. The study compared shared reading to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and found that shared reading provided a more comprehensive approach to managing emotional pain.
A novel non-pharmacological approach using green LED has shown promising results in treating neuropathic pain in rats with no side effects observed. The therapy may work by increasing levels of endogenous opioids, which inhibit pain and decrease inflammation.
A study published in PAIN found that physically active older adults have lower pain perception and better ability to block responses to painful stimuli. This suggests that low levels of sedentary behavior and greater light physical activity may be critical in maintaining effective endogenous pain inhibitory function.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a functional MRI-based model that identifies brain activity patterns involved in varied pain experiences. The model, called SIIPS1, maps positively correlated and negatively correlated brain sub-regions, including regions not traditionally considered important for pain assessment.
A new study reveals that poorer and less-educated older Americans are more likely to experience severe chronic pain, even after accounting for age. The research also shows that people with lower levels of education and wealth are more likely to experience pain-related disability.
A Washington State University-led study explores the relationship between sleep and chronic pain, with the goal of developing new treatments. The research aims to understand which comes first: pain or poor sleep, and whether improving sleep can alleviate pain symptoms.
A novel study at the University of Warwick aims to design a package of care and support for people with chronic pain to overcome obstacles to returning to work. The study will use Individual Placement Support (IPS) and provide work placements, aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Researchers explore therapeutic interventions like light, sound, and electrical energy to resynchronize damaged neurons in the brain. Neuroplasticity can be harnessed to treat a range of conditions, from bad habits to chronic pain syndromes.
A new study published in Journal of Pain Research found that implementation of the Stepped Care Model for Pain Management resulted in clinically significant improvements in quality of pain care outcomes, including increased provider knowledge and referrals to behavioral health providers. The model's individualized approach has the pote...
A study led by Indiana University researcher Andrea Hohmann found a compound that reduces chronic pain in mice without addiction risk or 'marijuana high'. The compound modulates the brain's cannabis receptors and amplifies the therapeutic effect of endocannabinoids.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that over 85% of pain-sensing neurons are sensitive to one specific type of painful stimulus. This challenges previous findings suggesting most neurons respond to all types of pain.
Researchers at The University of Manchester have discovered a potential therapy for alleviating chronic pain by tuning the brain's frequency. This new approach uses visual and auditory stimulation to reduce pain intensity in patients.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $7.5 million grant to researchers at the University of Michigan to study chronic pain. The team aims to investigate how peripheral damage, inflammation, and central nervous system factors interact to cause chronic pain, with potential breakthroughs in treating high levels of chronic pain
A mass participation study involving over 9000 UK participants found a correlation between sunny days, rainfall, and pain levels. The study suggests that understanding how weather influences pain could lead to new treatments.
A new research study has found a connection between chronic pain and anxiety disorders, with increased PACAP expression contributing to symptoms. Blocking this regulator could lead to a new approach in treating chronic pain and stress-related behavioral disorders.
A new study found that genetic factors account for 38.4% of the variation in chronic pain risk, while shared environment with spouses contributes to 18.7%. The research also discovered a correlation between chronic pain and depression, highlighting the importance of identifying shared causal mechanisms.
Research reveals common causes of chronic pain and depression in partner relationships, shedding light on potential diagnostic tests and treatments. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 participants, identifying shared genetic and environmental risk factors.
Syracuse University researchers Joseph Ditre and Stephen Maisto are exploring the links between chronic pain and alcohol consumption, examining how one affects the other. They will study 280 individuals with moderate to heavy drinking habits, using new technologies to better understand pain mechanisms.
Recent studies support the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a safe and effective treatment for chronic back and limb pain. SCS uses low-voltage electrical stimulation to block pain signals via a small device implanted in the body.
A systematic review of 30 observational studies found that disruption of sensory nerves in the axilla during armpit lymph node surgery is associated with chronic pain. Younger age and radiation therapy are also risk factors for developing chronic post-surgical pain.
A conceptual model by Amanda L. Stone and Anna C. Wilson suggests that genetic factors, early neurobiological development, and social learning play a role in the transmission of chronic pain from parents to children. The researchers propose five plausible mechanisms for this risk, including genetics, early neurobiological development, ...
A study published in Epigenetics & Chromatin identified a critical role for methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in regulating gene expression involved in pain perception. MeCP2 was found to be increased after nerve injury, leading to changes in downstream genes that can cause pain.
A recent analysis found that approximately 43% of the UK population, around 28 million adults, suffer from chronic pain. The prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages, with older individuals being more likely to experience long-term pain. Women are also more likely to be affected by chronic pain than men.
A study of over 300 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans found that nearly 50% met the criteria for mild to moderate CMI, with common symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, and difficulty remembering. The study suggests a link between deployment and CMI, but notes limitations in the research and recommends further investigation.
Researchers found that nerve damage changes epigenetic marks on immune cells in the nervous system, suggesting a 'memory' of the initial injury. This discovery may provide new insights into why chronic pain persists despite the underlying injury or disease having gone.
Scientists at McGill University used optogenetics to reduce the sensitivity of mice to touch and heat by shining yellow light on specific neurons. The research offers new hope for treating chronic pain without the side effects of traditional medication.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have discovered the full-length structure of the TRPV2 protein, a potential target for pharmaceutical research in treating chronic pain and cancer. The study reveals TRPV2's molecular mechanism in neurite growth and its involvement in malignant cancer cells.
Researchers will investigate stress management interventions for chronic pain and illness, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and HIV. The study aims to improve disease-related biomarkers, treatment adherence, health behaviors, and psychological outcomes.
A new study has found that neuroligin-2 may contribute to chronic pain by disrupting the body's inhibitory networks. This discovery provides a second theory for what drives the GABAergic system's loss of efficacy in people with chronic pain.
Researchers at UTA have discovered a new approach to alleviate chronic pain by stimulating the ventral tegmental area of the brain with wireless devices. This breakthrough reduces pain signals in the spinal cord and triggers the release of dopamine, which may help reduce emotional distress associated with long-term pain.
A study published in PAIN found that sleep problems are a predictor of chronic pain and worsening pain severity over time in emerging adults. Sleep problems were more likely to be associated with increased chronic pain, especially in women.
A critical review of over 100 studies on pain experience among Hispanic Americans reveals lower rates of chronic pain, but also greater pain sensitivity and less tolerance compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study highlights gaps in current research and calls for further investigation into the role of cultural factors and acculturation.
A researcher at Indiana University has been awarded $1.1 million to develop information-based tools to improve primary care for patients with chronic pain, a condition affecting 100 million Americans annually. The project aims to create prototypes for clinical decision support and electronic health record management.
A Loyola Medicine study found that women are 1.38 times more likely to report neck pain than men. The research adds to the growing body of evidence on sex differences in pain experience.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that monthly monitoring and support from pain specialists increased PCP confidence in prescribing opioids, improved patient compliance, and enhanced communication between practitioners. The research highlights the benefits of careful monitoring and pain management support within primary c...
A meta-analysis of 19 studies found that blacks employ pain-coping strategies more frequently than whites, with blacks using praying and catastrophizing as common techniques. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive medical care and could inform chronic pain care.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying the interacting roles of the sympathetic nervous system, sensory nervous system, and immune system in preclinical models of back pain and neuropathic pain. The goal is to understand how timing of a nerve block treatment affects chronic pain relief.
Researchers at University College London have discovered a protein that drives chronic pain and offer a promising new treatment target. Inhibiting this protein substantially alleviated chronic pain in genetically modified mice with nerve damage and arthritic joints.
The Journal of Pain Research publishes commentary on terminology of chronic pain, highlighting the need to redefine terms to better understand and treat patients. The authors suggest using origin- and generator-based terms to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
A new pilot study suggests that meditation can help US veterans manage chronic pain by reducing pain intensity and interference with daily life. The study used Integrative Restoration Yoga Nidra (iRest) mindfulness meditation, which is already being used at Veterans Health Administration medical centers nationwide.
A new study in veterans found that the threshold for safe prescribing may be lower than most people think, with overdose victims receiving higher doses on average. Lowering top prescription strengths below a 100 MEM threshold could benefit those at risk of an overdose while affecting few patients who aren't at risk.
Researchers at McGill University found that chronic pain changes DNA marking in the brain and white blood cells, impacting immune function. This epigenetic discovery could lead to new targets for pain medications.
A recent perspective recommends individualized care through careful benefit-risk assessments and education to address the prescription opioid-misuse epidemic. Clinicians face challenges in managing severe chronic pain due to limited tools and reimbursement systems favoring medication-only treatment.
Researchers have discovered the structure of TRPV2, a protein linked to pain and heat perception, which could lead to new treatments for chronic pain. The study found that TRPV2 has an in-between state where it becomes desensitized to repeated stimuli, suggesting a potential way to alleviate chronic pain.
Research links dry eye to multiple chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic ocular pain. A multidisciplinary approach may benefit dry eye patients with underlying pain issues.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that nearly 3,000 individuals with chronic pain who experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider. Patients who took high dosages were twice as likely to have another overdose at two years of follow-up.
After a nonfatal overdose, nearly 3,000 patients continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider who wrote them before. Patients taking high dosages were twice as likely to experience another overdose after discontinuing opioid use.
Scientists have developed a new treatment strategy that restores a brain region controlling emotions and reduces chronic pain behavior in animal models. The combined drugs target brain circuits and eliminate chronic pain when administered together shortly after an injury.
A recent study at Rush University Medical Center found acupuncture to be a safe and effective adjunctive integrative medicine treatment for chronic pain in pediatric patients. The study included 55 children aged 7-20 who experienced chronic pain conditions, with significant reductions in pain levels and related health issues.
A new study has developed pediatric pain measures to help doctors better evaluate and treat children with chronic pain conditions. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, found that traditional pain measures used for adults were uncomfortable for younger children and had limited vocabulary.
Researchers at University at Buffalo find that motivational interviewing significantly reduces the risk of opioid misuse and abuse among older adults with chronic pain. The intervention increases motivation, self-efficacy, and confidence in changing behavior, while also decreasing depression and anxiety.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new type of pain relief using high-frequency electrical stimulation. The study aims to understand why this method is more effective than traditional stimulation, with potential applications in the fight against opioid addiction.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have shown that the number of opiate receptors in the brain increases to combat severe pain in arthritis sufferers. By applying heat, they found a correlation between higher receptor numbers and increased ability to withstand pain.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism linking chronic pain to abnormal activity in the anterior cingular cortex, a region of the brain involved in cognitive functions. The study provides insights into the role of HCN channels in controlling pain signals, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for relieving chronic pain.
A study of over 6,500 teenagers found that those with mental disorders are more likely to experience chronic pain. The researchers identified connections between various types of mental disorders and chronic pain, suggesting that mental health issues may be an underlying risk factor for chronic pain in young people.