Articles tagged with Pain
A new care pathway has been shown to reduce long-term pain and improve quality of life for people after knee replacement surgery. The STAR care pathway is cost-effective and could potentially save the NHS up to £14 million per year.
A novel technique transplants patient fat into the sole to reduce plantar fasciitis symptoms, improving quality of life and sports activities. The study laid groundwork for a larger clinical trial with promising results.
A study published in JAMA found that 75% of COVID-19 ICU survivors experience symptoms one year post-admission, including fatigue, anxiety, and cognitive issues. These health problems significantly impact their daily lives, with over half reporting work-related issues.
A study ranking 81 countries on end-of-life care found that only six earned an A grade, while 36 received Ds or Fs. The US ranked 43rd, highlighting the need for improvement in palliative care globally. Experts emphasize the importance of making advance care plans and discussing wishes with loved ones.
A Salk Institute team has uncovered a neural network in the brain that connects breathing rhythm with feelings of pain and fear. This discovery could lead to the development of an analgesic that prevents opioid-induced respiratory depression, a major cause of overdose deaths.
A Texas A&M University study suggests that ergonomic interventions can reduce pain from technology use, particularly among college students. The researchers found that posture and stress are key factors in pain reporting, rather than device type.
Researchers discover novel compound AD732 with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, outperforming standard NSAIDs while causing minimal harm. The compound may be a safer alternative for treating pain and inflammation in difficult diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to nonpharmacologic therapies like physical therapy was limited, leading to an increase in opioid prescriptions for pain management. The study found that prescription opioids replaced nonpharmacologic therapies as a primary means of pain control.
Cluster headaches are extremely painful and occur in cyclical patterns. The study found that pediatric-onset cluster headache affects 27.5% of survey participants but only 15.2% were diagnosed before age 18.
A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found racial disparities in opioid prescribing, with Blacks and Hispanics less likely to be prescribed opioids in the late 1990s. By the mid 2000s, prescription opioid use among Blacks matched that of whites, despite the focus on white populations during the opioid crisis.
A six-month telehealth-delivered exercise program improved pain, function, and quality of life for 400 individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The program, combined with a ketogenic diet, led to significant weight loss and reduced reliance on pain medications.
A recent clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that platelet-rich plasma injections had no significant benefits for reducing knee pain in people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. The study, which involved 288 participants, compared platelet-rich plasma injections to placebo injections and...
Experts suggest expanding treatment options for hospital patients with opioid withdrawal symptoms, potentially allowing more individualized and patient-centered care. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the efficacy of short-acting opioids in this context.
A Henry Ford Health System study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that a novel opioid-free pain management protocol provided the same pain relief for patients as common types of prescription opioids. This approach aims to reduce opioid misuse and promote more effective pain management after ACL knee reconstruc...
New guidelines recommend using nerve blocks to select patients with chronic neck pain who may benefit from radiofrequency ablation. Only one nerve block is required, rather than two, and patients must experience meaningful pain relief from diagnostic blocks. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a compound that regulates a biological channel linked to pain, reducing the sensation of pain in rodents. The compound, dubbed 194, successfully targets sodium ion channels and promotes pain relief by activating the body's endogenous opioid system.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified the anterior insula's role in predicting and emotionally processing pain in HIV-DSP patients. The study suggests that reduced anterior insula activity or increased cingulate activity may improve pain outcomes for these patients.
A new study of online relationship support finds that men tend to experience emotional pain more than women when their relationship takes a turn for the worse. The study analyzed over 184,000 people who posted their relationship problems online and found that communication problems were the #1 most frequent issue, with nearly 1 in 5 pe...
Researchers have identified key genes involved in osteoarthritis, a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. The study, conducted on over 800,000 individuals, sheds light on the genetic factors contributing to the disease and may pave the way for new treatments.
A new study published in Applied Ergonomics found that the cognitive demands of wearing a low-back exoskeleton can hinder its mechanical advantages, offsetting benefits in reducing spine loading. The researchers used ambulatory brain imaging and connectivity analysis to demonstrate how increased cognitive response to tasks can cancel o...
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health uses machine learning to predict successful opioid dispensing models in U.S. counties. The analysis reveals that prescription drug monitoring program access provisions are the most consistent predictors of high-dispensing and high-dose dispensing counties.
A new guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommends using standardized risk assessments and clinical pathways to evaluate chest pain. Most adults presenting with chest pain will have a non-cardiac reason, while only a small percentage will have an acute coronary syndrome.
Boston University researchers found that even low levels of physical therapy before or after total knee replacement surgery lower the odds of chronic opioid use. Participation in six or more sessions of physical therapy post-surgery and initiation within 30 days of surgery were linked to reduced chance of chronic opioid use.
A new study found that the brainstem plays a key role in modulating pain signals in the spinal cord based on expectations, with increased activity linked to the placebo effect and decreased activity to the nocebo effect.
A new study found that telephone cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively improve sleeplessness and pain in older adults with osteoarthritis-related insomnia, reducing clinical and financial burdens. The study showed that telephone CBT reduced healthcare costs without increasing them.
A new study by E. Paige Lloyd found that medical providers are better at discerning real from fake pain expressions for White people than Black people. This disparity in pain detection could contribute to racial disparities in pain care and treatment recommendations.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for opioid-induced reward in the brain, paving the way for creating safer opioids. By altering the opioid peptide receptor MOPR, pharmaceutical companies can potentially create drugs that bypass the brain's reward system.
A survey of breast cancer patients found that nearly half use cannabis to alleviate pain, fatigue, and other symptoms while undergoing treatment. Physicians are often unaware of patients' cannabis use, highlighting the need for informed conversations about its potential benefits and risks.
Researchers found that males and females have different heat-sensing systems, which may be related to reproduction and offspring care. This difference leads to segregation between the sexes at certain periods during breeding cycles.
A survey of over 50,000 people found that around 11% experience abdominal pain when eating, with symptoms also affecting mental health and daily life. The study highlights the need for meal-related symptoms to be considered in diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers studied mice with Alzheimer's disease and found that pain sensitivity is maintained throughout the disease progression. Females are more sensitive to pain, while males experience greater emotional distress, highlighting age- and sex-specific responses to pain in Alzheimer's disease.
A multi-center study found micro-fragmented adipose tissue injections to be highly effective in reducing knee pain, improving function, and enhancing quality of life. Positive effects were observed for up to 12 months, with notable differences in efficacy among demographics.
A study published in Current Rheumatology Reviews found that rehabilitation exercises significantly improved functional strength and reduced weight in knee osteoarthritis patients. The researchers also noted an increase in exercise adherence among the rehabilitation group compared to the control group.
A study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that virtual reality can decrease pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous catheter placement. The technology works by shifting focus and preventing pain from being registered, leading to a more positive experience for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
A recent Michigan Medicine study found that people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis experience a myriad of significant symptoms that often cluster together. Nearly two-thirds of MS patients reported fatigue, half experienced pain in the first year after diagnosis. The research team collected questionnaires from MS patients at si...
Researchers will track oral health behaviors and caries risk in low-income urban young children over five years, collecting data on caregiver-reported habits, dental plaque scores, and social risk factors. The study aims to understand the impact of community-level factors on individual behaviors.
A multicenter randomized trial showed acupuncture improved symptoms of moderate to severe CP/CPPS, with effects lasting over 24 weeks. Acupuncture was more effective than sham therapy in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
A University at Buffalo-led study found that photobiomodulation therapy sped up recovery from burns and reduced inflammation in mice by activating endogenous TGF‐beta 1, a protein controlling cell growth and division. The findings may improve therapeutic treatments for burn injuries worldwide.
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.
A pilot study from North Carolina State University found that a gene associated with autism spectrum disorder and pain hypersensitivity may decrease itch response. Contactin-associated protein 2 (CNTNAP2) is expressed in sensory neurons responsible for transmitting sensations of both pain and itch.
A recent focus group study investigated the factors affecting endometriosis diagnosis, revealing significant delays in diagnosis. Women with endometriosis reported an average time of 8.5 years from symptom onset to diagnosis, highlighting a lack of knowledge and understanding among patients, relatives, and doctors.
Fionnuala Lundy, an Associate Professor at Queen's University Belfast, has received the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for her groundbreaking research on naturally-occurring antimicrobial peptides. Her work focuses on oral/dental stem cells, pulp regeneration and various oral diseases.
A new Dartmouth-led study found that white patients receive higher annual doses of prescription pain medicine than Black patients, even when treated by the same health system and team of clinicians. The researchers suggest that systematic racial bias is a major contributor to these disparities.
A study found that teenagers who have self-harmed five or more times in their life have a significantly higher threshold for pain compared to adolescents that have not. This has clinical potential as an effective test for identifying youths at the highest risk of suicide.
A new study published in PAIN found that what parents say in the first minute after a vaccine is crucial in reducing children's distress. The researchers recommend keeping kids calm with physical strategies and delaying verbal coping statements until they're over initial distress.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that PRP injection provides no benefit for patients with debilitating Achilles tendon pain. The researchers recommend against using PRP treatment for these patients due to its lack of effectiveness and potential short-term harm.
A new study found that a stunning virtual reality setting can reduce pain caused by uncomfortable medical procedures, such as cystoscopies. The research used VR headsets to present patients with a calming Icelandic landscape, resulting in lower pain scores and reduced anxiety.
A virtual learning program improved NICU nurses' knowledge and scoring skills for measuring neonatal pain. The study suggests that e-learning can be a useful tool for nurses to attain knowledge and skills for managing neonatal pain.
Multimodal analgesia combines different techniques and medications to optimize pain management while minimizing opioid use and risks. Recent studies have shown that multimodal analgesia can improve pain scores and side effects compared to opioid-based regimens.
Researchers found that a synthetic meniscus implant provided superior relief from post-meniscectomy knee pain compared to non-surgical care. Patients treated with the implant experienced higher Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores, indicating improved function and quality of life.
The SAEM GRACE team developed recommendations for testing, treatment, hospital admission, and screening tools for recurrent, low-risk chest pain. Guidelines prioritize patient-important outcomes and consideration of patients' values and preferences.
A clinical trial found that casts are not more effective than removable braces for treating broken ankles, with patients reporting similar levels of pain and functionality. The choice between the two should be down to cost and patient preference.
Researchers found that children and adults with a history of severe pain episodes or coexisting organ conditions are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. The study recommends vaccination for this medically vulnerable population, particularly those with these comorbidities.
A qualitative study explored nurses' experiences and beliefs on pain management practices in hemodialysis units. The study identified five themes and subcategories to improve pain management education and practices.
A study by University of California San Diego researchers found that lobsters can absorb vaporized THC through their gills and exhibit reduced locomotor activity. However, the effects on detection of hot water stimuli were minimal, leaving it unclear whether this constitutes feeling pain.
Researchers found a 4.3% decrease in ED visits and an 11.3% decrease in hospitalizations for chest pain under high-deductible health plans. Low-income patients with HDHPs were more likely to be hospitalized with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for clinicians to account for potential delays in care.
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology has developed guidelines for studies on work participation in people with inflammatory arthritis. The guidelines focus on identifying contextual factors and accounting for changes in work status over time.
Researchers found that virtual reality games reduced pain scores in pediatric burn patients, with those playing actively reporting less pain than those who watched or received standard care. The use of smartphone-based VR games could provide an effective and easy-to-use pain relief method for dressing changes at home.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that NSAIDs like ibuprofen provide better pain control with fewer adverse effects than codeine after outpatient surgery. Patients taking NSAIDs reported lower pain scores and fewer side effects compared to those taking codeine.
A study of 2837 people with RA found that patients with low empowerment had worse pain, function, and quality of life over time. Remote management technologies, such as patient self-assessment and outcome measures, showed fair agreement with clinical decisions.