Articles tagged with Pain
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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
New studies suggest that treating post-surgery pain with non-opioid medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can lead to equal short-term outcomes and patient satisfaction as opioids. Researchers analyzed data from over 22,000 patients who had one of seven common operations at 70 hospitals.
A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that only a minority of patients with knee osteoarthritis used non-surgical care such as physical therapy and knee injections. The study suggests that surgery may be more commonly substituted for conservative care in regions with high rates of knee replacements.
A new study published in European Journal of Anaesthesiology found that NOL pain monitoring technology can detect the effect of dexmedetomidine on patients' pain response, enabling administration of less intraoperative opioids. The study demonstrated the potential for significant opioid sparing during surgery.
A new study found that couple cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is more effective than lidocaine in reducing women's fear of pain and improving their sexual experience. The therapy helps break the vicious cycle of fear and avoidance, allowing couples to refocus on pleasurable experiences.
Researchers found that storytelling significantly increased oxytocin levels and decreased cortisol and pain levels in hospitalized children. The study showed a positive effect on emotional well-being and found higher positive emotions following the storytelling intervention compared to the riddle game.
Researchers found gaps in patients' understanding of opioid use, pain management, and proper storage/disposal. Patients may benefit from educating them on multimodal analgesia and safe opioid use practices.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that duloxetine reduced cumulative opioid use by 30% in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty compared to those receiving placebo. Patients who received duloxetine also reported higher pain management satisfaction and less pain interference with daily activities.
A new study finds that Rwandans conceived during the 1994 genocide have poorer adult health outcomes, including depression, PTSD, and pain intensity. Those born of genocidal rape experience the worst health effects, highlighting the need for interventions to mitigate these effects.
A University of Otago study found that people with anti-abortion views tend to believe a fetus can feel pain before the 23rd week of pregnancy. Women are more likely than men to hold this belief, which may be due to targeted disinformation campaigns.
Patients who underwent bariatric surgery ten years ago reported that their eating habits and appetite remained affected, with reduced cravings for unhealthy foods. However, they also described struggling to manage their lives, including supporting overweight children, due to ongoing guilt and self-blame.
A pilot study found that micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injection provides significant and long-lasting pain relief for wheelchair users with chronic shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease. The study showed encouraging results, with nearly 80% of participants experiencing a meaningful decrease in pain symptoms.
The study used a slap on the hand as a test subject to examine reflexes and their coordination. The researchers found that humans anticipate pain when reacting to potential harm, which could be applied to robot development for improved safety. Robots can learn from human reflex systems to develop intelligent protective mechanisms.
Researchers have identified novel blood markers that can predict when labor is approaching, shedding light on the biological process of labor initiation. The study's findings lay the groundwork for a clinical blood test that could provide more precise estimates of delivery time.
A study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting found that modifying the ERATS protocol significantly reduced in-hospital and post-discharge opioid consumption, particularly Schedule II opioids. The optimized protocol included replacing saline with 0.25% bupivacaine and switching tramadol to as-needed scheduling.
A new study from the University of Michigan shows that overdose rates were two and a half times higher among patients who filled a prescription for an opioid medication after a dental procedure compared to those who didn
A new digital decision-aiding tool, ASSIST, has been developed to help physicians choose between non-invasive diagnostic tests for patients with chest pain. The tool uses machine learning techniques to identify the most appropriate imaging test based on patient characteristics.
A new study by Henry Ford Health System has found that a non-opioid approach to managing pain after knee surgery is just as effective as traditional opioid-based methods. The novel multimodal pain management protocol, developed at Henry Ford, brings immediate pain relief without the use of powerful opioids.
Research suggests that fish may experience painful events despite lacking certain brain regions associated with human pain processing. The UTA team drew on contemporary neuroscience to argue that the brain can compensate for such regions, implying a higher likelihood of pain in fish.
A new study identifies three molecules in the blood that can distinguish between heart attack and chest pain caused by other conditions. The researchers hope to develop a simple blood test for early diagnosis, which could help doctors quickly confirm or rule out a heart attack.