Articles tagged with Pain
A new minimally invasive intervention has been shown to provide long-term relief from chronic refractory shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue was injected into the affected shoulder joint, resulting in significant pain reduction and functional improvement.
The HOPE study demonstrates that low-dose prednisolone significantly improves pain symptoms and function in patients with painful hand osteoarthritis. The study found that prednisolone reduces synovitis and improves physical component scale and patient global assessment, making it a suitable target for treatment.
Researchers at Marshall University found that tart cherry consumption reduced mean pain levels by 34.7% compared to a placebo group, with no impact on the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitor treatments for non-metastatic breast cancer patients.
Daily injections of patient autoantibodies in mice with injured paws led to increased pain sensitivity and microglial activation in brain regions. Blocking interleukin-1 receptors prevented or reversed these effects, suggesting an autoimmune contribution to CRPS development.
Researchers developed an AI method to recognize patterns in infant cries, enabling healthcare workers and parents to accurately determine a baby's needs. The algorithm uses compressed sensing to process noisy environments, allowing for independent use across various scenarios.
A new study by Purdue University researchers found that racial biases in physician-patient communication can impact pain treatment for cancer patients. The study, conducted over five years, used standardized patients to observe primary care physicians and oncologists in urban and rural settings.
A pain management protocol called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing opioid prescriptions after C-sections. The protocol involves a combination of long-acting opioids and non-narcotic medications to limit inpatient morphine use, resulting in shorter hospital stays and improved patient satisfaction.
A study found that listening to music at home reduced symptom severity, pain intensity, and fatigue in breast cancer patients. Music therapy also reduced physical and mental fatigue instantly.
A large national study tracked the health of over 3,000 US veterans using a standardized tool, finding they scored worse in several areas, including anxiety, depression, and pain. The study's results provide valuable insights into the health of veterans relative to the general population.
A smartphone app called PainCoach helps patients reduce their use of opiate painkillers and improve pain control after total knee replacement surgery. The app provides personalized advice on pain relief and exercises to help patients manage their pain levels, resulting in lower opiate use and improved quality of life.
A study by the University of Michigan found that over half of patients used no opioids after surgery, with most reporting manageable pain. The study's results suggest a new approach to pain management that reduces opioid use can be effective.
Researchers discovered African mole-rats are insensitive to allyl isothiocyanate, the active ingredient of wasabi, due to unique nerve structure leak channels. This finding may lead to new pain relief methods without addiction risks.
Researchers discovered that the highveld mole-rat is impervious to AITC due to altered ion channels, particularly the constitutively open channel NALCN. This change allows the highveld mole-rat to coexist with venomous ants.
Researchers will conduct a randomized trial of autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection to alleviate disabling shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. The study aims to explore regenerative approaches to reducing pain and disability among individuals with spinal cord injury.
Researchers found that short-term opioid use intensifies feelings of pleasure while weakening negative emotions, shifting emotional responses towards the positive side. This effect is distinct from prolonged opioid use, which alters brain reward systems and diminishes sensitivity.
New research from Brigham Young University finds that exposing people to the pain and suffering caused by vaccine-preventable diseases can increase support for vaccinations. Nearly 70% of students who interviewed someone with a vaccine-preventable disease moved from hesitant to pro-vaccine attitudes.
A specialized pain management program for robotic urologic surgery patients resulted in a significant reduction in opioid prescriptions. The study found that just 8% of patients were prescribed opioids after discharge, with those who received them going home with fewer pills than usual.
The insular cortex sends warnings to brain areas involved in threat learning, enabling animals and humans to avoid future harm. This process is crucial for survival and involves the encoding of pain in the brain.
Researchers found that opioid-exposed babies react more strongly to pain and have higher skin conductance, suggesting they may need early intervention. The study suggests that these babies handle pain worse than their non-exposed counterparts, highlighting the need for better care.
Regular use of glucosamine supplements is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease events, including coronary heart disease and stroke. The study found a significant reduction in CVD events among glucosamine users, with stronger associations observed in smokers and those who mimic a low-carbohydrate diet.
A new AI-powered decision support system, ARTICA, was found to advise against unnecessary tests in 67% of patients with stable chest pain, a rate significantly higher than cardiologists. The study showed that avoiding these tests would save staff one hour and patients two hours on average, while also reducing costs.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that wearing tight-fitting jeans or pants four or more times a week doubles the risk of vulvodynia, while removing hair from the mons pubis nearly triples it. The condition affects an estimated 16% of women over their lifetimes.
A study found that clinicians over-order imaging for breast pain, despite a weak correlation with breast cancer. Most respondents (72%) believe there is no strong link between breast pain and breast cancer.
The researcher will collect data from 1,500 patients using prescription opioids to identify factors that may increase the risk of opioid-related depression. Long-term opioid analgesic use is associated with increased risk for depression and impairs depression treatment and recovery.
A pilot study at the Medical University of South Carolina found that peppermint oil improved symptoms of esophagus disorders, including difficulty swallowing and non-cardiac chest pain. The study showed a significant improvement in symptoms among patients with spastic disorders of the esophagus.
A new study by the University of Zurich finds that schadenfreude is more likely to occur in highly competitive working environments, where one person's misfortune can facilitate another's success. The study suggests that this emotion can be contagious and lead to vicious cycles of mistreatment.
A new diagnostic classification technique enables stratification of pediatric patients with IBS, allowing for tailored nutritional and targeted therapies. Researchers identified correlations between certain microbes and metabolites with abdominal pain, providing insights into novel treatment approaches.
Researchers found that rat brain activates same cells when observing others' pain as when experiencing pain itself, indicating shared empathy mechanism. The cingulate cortex region is responsible for this emotional sharing, and suppressing its activity can prevent rats from freezing in response to others' distress.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that an hour of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help older adults maintain their independence and reduce the risk of mobility disability by 85%. The study also showed that this amount of exercise can lower the risk of activities of daily living disability by almost 45%.
A study by Rod Duclos and Mansur Khamitov found that individuals who receive cash are more likely to opt for immediate gratification, leading to lower savings rates. Activating a mindset focused on long-term goals can increase patience and tolerance for parting with cash.
The CARD System, an evidence-based approach, reduces vaccine-associated pain, fear, and fainting in school-based clinics. Implementing this system in Ontario schools improved student symptoms and increased use of the tools.
Researchers developed a simple field test to evaluate hockey players' groin and hip function. The test, called the five-second squeeze test, correlates pain levels with impaired sporting function and diminished hip muscle strength.
Researchers found statistically significant reductions in pain-rating scores and improvements in tendinosis and tear scores after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) treatment. The non-surgical procedure decreases abnormal blood flow to the injured area, alleviating inflammation and pain without invasive surgery or physical therapy.
A study of 43,000 people who died in England found that only 10% of non-cancer patients received palliative care at home, compared to 66% of cancer patients. Patients who accessed palliative care at home experienced better pain relief, with 66% experiencing good pain relief, similar to those receiving care in a hospice.
A study found that medical marijuana laws lead to a decline in reported pain and an improvement in overall health assessments among respondents with qualifying health conditions. The study also shows that these laws increase full-time work hours, suggesting improved labor supply among older adults.
A new study shows that identifying coronary artery calcium in patients' arteries can help determine their future risk of a heart attack. Patients with CAC are more likely to have a cardiac event within 90 days and over the following years compared to those without CAC.
A new study found a 54% drop in monthly opioid prescriptions for patients who had never used opioids or been off them for six months. However, some clinicians continued to prescribe at concerning dosages and lengths, raising concerns about undertreatment and high-risk prescribing.
A new study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that patients living near the hospital after joint replacement surgery are less likely to seek follow-up care in person, but instead call their surgeon with questions. This efficient use of healthcare resources is ideal, as it reduces expensive ER visits.
HSS has developed a pain management pathway that combines multimodal analgesia and alternative treatments, resulting in a significant decrease in opioid use without sacrificing pain control. The initiative involves surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other care team members.
A study published in the Journal of Arthroplasty found that intravenous and oral acetaminophen work equally well to manage post-surgery pain after hip replacement. The researchers tested both forms as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol, with patients showing low pain scores and minimal side effects.
A study of 59 individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis found no association between daily walking levels and pain. Alleviating pain does not likely increase physical activity, suggesting strategies focus on overcoming barriers like lack of knowledge and sedentary lifestyle.
A Rutgers study found that young adults who engage in non-suicidal self-injury intentionally inflict physical injury to elicit pain and relieve emotional distress. The researchers discovered that participants with high negative emotions and less pain during injuries were more likely to repeat the behavior.
A study published in JAMA found that intravenous acetaminophen reduced postoperative delirium incidence by 70% and ICU length of stay by 25%. Acetaminophen also reduced opioid use, suggesting effective pain control without increasing delirium risk.
Oral mucositis affects nearly 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy and 80% of those receiving radiation therapy. A new study tests photobiomodulation as a non-invasive replacement for opioids to alleviate pain, promote healing, and improve quality of life for cancer patients.
Nearly half of adults aged 65 and older have two or more symptoms like pain, fatigue & depression, increasing the risk of negative health outcomes. Researchers urge improved training among healthcare workers to address symptom burden in older adults.
A panel of experts recommends against surgery for subacromial pain syndrome due to its ineffectiveness in improving pain and quality of life. Decompression surgery has been found to provide no benefit over placebo or other treatment options.
Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found opioid prescribing for pediatric patients declined in shorter treatment durations and lower doses between 2013 and 2017. The rate of prescribing remained consistent, however, with a bias towards females, ethnic minorities, and public insurance patients.
A new Yale study found that adults tend to underestimate the pain experienced by girls, attributing this to culturally ingrained myths about boys being more stoic and girls being more emotive. The researchers hope their findings will lead to further investigation into biases in pain assessment and health care.
Researchers found that patients who believed in their ability to overcome pain and continue with daily activities recovered faster than those who lacked this confidence. The study also showed that physiotherapy is effective for many people with shoulder pain, but not everyone.
Researchers discovered that white blood cells respond to microparticles from prosthetic devices as harmful invaders and engulf them, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and bone destruction. The study may lead to new therapies to reduce pain and prevent follow-up surgery for joint replacement patients.
Research using rodents and human participants reveals gamma band oscillations as a reliable predictor of individual pain sensitivity. This finding suggests that brain activity patterns can distinguish between varying degrees of pain tolerance across species.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found a significant increase in opioid prescriptions for small animals, driven by complex procedures and pain management needs. The results suggest that veterinary opioids could contribute to the human opioid epidemic if misused.
Older age, obesity, and depression were associated with chronic hip pain in a study of 2,515 adults. Chronic hip pain was found to be widespread in 50% of cases.
Gene-editing techniques may enable mass-producing capsaicinoids in tomatoes, which have nutritional and antibiotic properties. Researchers aim to develop commercial applications for these compounds.
Researchers at OSU Wexner Medical Center are testing a new device designed to extend the functional life of joints affected by osteoarthritis. The Calypso Knee System aims to reduce pain and delay knee replacements, allowing patients to remain active without discomfort.
A study of 2.6 million pregnant women who gave birth in 2015 found wide variation in the use of neuraxial analgesia, with rates ranging from 73% in Maine to 96% in Nevada. The reasons behind this variation are not fully understood and may be influenced by patient-level and hospital-level factors.
Surgeons perform primary targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) to reduce phantom limb and stump pain in amputees. The procedure, done at the time of initial amputation, greatly improves patient outcomes and quality of life.
Research found that sadistic individuals, including everyday people, experience negative mood after engaging in aggressive acts. This challenges the notion that sadism is solely linked to pleasure.
Researchers found that gently stroking newborns at a speed of approximately 3 centimeters per second can reduce pain-related brain activity. The study suggests that this technique could provide effective pain relief before clinically necessary medical procedures, and may also promote parent-infant bonding.
Research found that activation of microglia in the spinal cord is responsible for increased pain sensitivity in response to stress. Eliminating microglia from the spinal cord prevented these effects, highlighting their role in transmitting pain to the brain.