Articles tagged with Pain
A study at Duke University Medical Center found that weekly whole-body massage improved symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, including pain and mobility, in patients. The treatment maintained its benefits over 52 weeks, suggesting a potential complement to existing treatments.
A study from McMaster University and the Netherlands found that the impairment rating of injured workers significantly differs depending on the edition of the American Medical Association (AMA) guides used. The researchers compared two editions and found that the sixth edition resulted in lower impairment ratings.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers has identified a critical nerve-signaling pathway that drives sustained pain following injury. The study found that neurons called Tac1 play a key role in pain-coping behaviors, but not in reflexive defensive reactions to external threats.
Patients value routine symptom reporting and expect their doctor's review, but perceive barriers in the current healthcare system. The study emphasizes the need for efficient clinical strategies and reimbursement to address symptoms like pain, depression, and anxiety.
A study of 73 adults with sickle cell disease found that even high-dose opioid treatment did not effectively manage pain in a subset of patients. The researchers emphasize the need for non-opioid pain relievers to address this challenge.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that strong opioids increase the risk of hip fractures in people with Alzheimer's disease. The risk was highest in the first two months of opioid use, and was significantly higher for moderate to strong opioids.
A Malaysian survey found that misconceptions about opioids affect pain control among cancer patients, with fears of addiction and immune system damage being the most common barriers. The study highlights the need for improved accessibility to pain relief treatments in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers identify non-arthritis conditions causing joint pain and stiffness, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis through imaging techniques.
New research suggests that infant girls fed soy formula are more likely to develop severe menstrual pain as young adults. Women who had ever been fed soy formula as babies were 50% more likely to have experienced moderate or severe menstrual discomfort between the ages of 18 and 22.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women fed soy-based formula milk as babies are 40% more likely to have used hormonal contraception for menstrual pain relief. The research also showed a 50% increased risk of moderate or severe menstrual discomfort between ages 18-22.
The NIH has increased investment in the BRAIN Initiative to over $400 million, supporting more than 200 new awards for cutting-edge brain research. These projects aim to develop new tools and knowledge to discover answers for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
A study found racial and ethnic differences in emergency pain relief for children with long bone fractures, with minority children more likely to receive pain medication but less likely to receive opioid analgesia. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of consistent pain management for all pediatric patients.
Researchers found four subgroups with varying degrees of pain sensitization, with the highest degree associated with persistent knee pain. Identifying these subgroups may lead to novel approaches for preventing persistent knee pain.
A new study found that denosumab improves spinal bone mineral density and reduces pain in patients with osteoporosis caused by transfusion-dependent thalassemia. The treatment also showed promise in increasing bone density in other areas, such as the wrist and femoral neck.
A new study from Université de Montréal finds that increased pain sensitivity is a key risk factor for persistent knee pain in osteoarthritis. The research identified four subgroups characterized by varying degrees of pain sensitization, with the highest degree linked to the greatest risk of developing persistent knee pain.
Researchers from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research develop IN-PEACE to improve dementia care and reduce caregiver stress through state-of-the-art symptom management. The initiative provides support by nurses and social workers to both patients and their family caregivers.
A study examined long-term outcomes of midurethral mesh sling operations for stress urinary incontinence, finding that 3.3% of women had their slings removed and 4.5% underwent reoperations within nine years. The reasons for removal or reoperations were not disclosed.
A new protocol developed by Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital reduces opioid use after colorectal surgery, resulting in shorter hospital stays. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol includes pre-emptive pain management, non-opioid general anesthesia, and postoperative programmed non-narcotic analgesics.
A randomized controlled trial found that parental educational tools on pain relief during vaccinations increased use of pain interventions at future infant vaccinations, knowledge and confidence in parents' ability to manage infant pain.
A bioelectronic medicine device has been shown to significantly reduce pain and fatigue in patients with lupus. The study built on previous research and used an external stimulation device to pulse through the ear, resulting in a decrease in symptoms in participants who received real stimulation.
A University of Michigan study found that social media can help reduce the risk of depression in older adults with pain. The researchers used data from a nationally representative survey and discovered that social media use preserves cognitive function and psychological well-being in this population.
Researchers analyzed pain scores of 808 obese children who underwent non-cardiac surgery and found no correlation between BMI and pain. Current protocol for managing postsurgical pain in children should continue, with opioid use decreasing slightly with increased BMI.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine suggests that intravenous, low-dose ketamine is as effective as intravenous morphine in controlling acute pain in adults in the emergency department. The findings indicate that ketamine can be considered as an alternative to opioids for ED short-term pain control.
Two studies presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2018 annual meeting show that virtual reality can reduce postoperative anxiety and pain in children. Virtual reality hypnosis programs significantly reduced the need for pain medication and opioid consumption, allowing patients to recover faster.
A study found that patients perceive opioids as superior for post-surgical pain relief, despite concerns about addiction and side effects. However, another study showed that opioids are tied to complications after back procedures, including increased pain and poorer quality of life.
Researchers developed Prescience, a system that uses patient charts and sensor data to predict hypoxemia. The system provides explanations for its predictions, enabling anesthesiologists to better understand patient risks and prevent complications.
Researchers found that wasp and bee stingers are softer at the tip than at the base, allowing for easier penetration. The study also showed that the stingers are about seven times more elastic at the tip than at the base, enabling them to penetrate deep while maintaining their structure.
A study of 80 observers from Western and East Asian cultures reveals that mental representations of pain are similar, while those of orgasm contain culture-specific elements. Facial expressions serve a communicative role, with cultural influences shaping their representation.
A new study compares interferential current to vaginal estradiol creme in treating sexual complaints of women with premature ovarian insufficiency taking hormones. Interferential current improves lubrication, pain, orgasm, and overall satisfaction.
A new accelerated diagnostic protocol, HEART Pathway, is effective in identifying low-risk ED patients with acute chest pain who can be safely sent home without hospitalization or comprehensive cardiac testing. The study found a 6% reduction in hospitalizations and significant decreases in median length of stay and use of stress testing.
A study found that pain treatment is more efficient when provided by a stranger, revealing the analgesic effect of surprise. Participants experienced reduced neural pain responses and subjective pain judgments after being treated by someone from a different social group.
Using fMRI scans, University of Pennsylvania researchers found that people who donated a kidney to an anonymous recipient were more sensitive to a stranger's fear and pain, with activation in the anterior insula brain region. This study provides the first clear link between real-world altruism and empathy for the pain of strangers.
Researchers found that mental imagery techniques can effectively regulate pain perception independently of the opioid system. The study used heat pain and visual cues to manipulate participants' expectations, showing that mental imagery is an opioid-independent approach to pain management.
A new theory by Max Ortiz Catalan suggests that phantom limb pain results from neural entanglement between the missing limb's circuitry and pain perception networks. The 'stochastic entanglement' hypothesis explains how a novel treatment, Phantom Motor Execution (PME), can help alleviate pain by reactivating dormant brain areas.
A review of 173 rhinoplasty patients found that most received opioid prescriptions, averaging 28 pills per patient, yet experienced less pain than expected. The study's results highlight the need for more research on optimal postoperative pain management from rhinoplasty
Patients with end-stage ankle arthritis experience significant improvements in range of motion, pain levels, and functionality after total ankle arthroplasty. On average, surgery boosts ankle range of motion by over 60% and reduces pain scores by 59 points.
A new AI model has been developed that can predict the risk of death in patients with heart disease more accurately than medical experts. The model was trained on electronic health data from over 80,000 patients and identified new variables that doctors hadn't considered.
Researchers have developed a bifunctional compound that both relieves pain and suppresses opioid dependency in primates, providing 100-fold stronger pain relief than morphine. The compound lacks rewarding characteristics and motor impairment, indicating a safer alternative to traditional opioids.
A research team at the University of Colorado School of Medicine has identified a potential target for treating pain during surgery, aiming to reduce the use of narcotics. By understanding how nociceptors work, researchers hope to develop new therapies and decrease post-surgical pain duration and intensity.
Researchers captured detailed images of TRPV3, a skin-cell ion channel involved in temperature sensation. The study reveals how a mutation in the woolly mammoth's TRPV3 gene may have helped them adapt to cold environments and provides clues for new treatments of human skin diseases such as eczema and vitiligo.
Studies have found that pain, insomnia, and depression significantly increase healthcare use in osteoarthritis patients. Concomitant symptoms like insomnia or depression can lead to increased healthcare utilization.
A research team led by Nicholas V. DiPatrizio and Meera G. Nair found that parasitic worms produce cannabis-like molecules during infection, reducing pain and inflammation in the host. This discovery could lead to therapeutic treatments for worm infections and improve outcomes.
After ACA Medicaid expansion, more people filled prescriptions for buprenorphine with naloxone (opioid use disorder treatment) and opioid pain relievers in five states. The study found that this increase could help lessen the opioid crisis by providing medication access for those struggling with addiction.
A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that remifentanil during labour could halve the number of women needing an epidural, providing effective pain relief with reduced risks. The trial involved 400 women and found that remifentanil was associated with lower rates of instrumental deliveries and consequent morbidity.
A large national study finds that inducing labor at 39 weeks reduces cesarean deliveries, maternal and fetal complications. Women who underwent elective induction reported less pain and lower rates of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
A University of Guelph study found that middle-aged Canadians are experiencing significant sexual problems, with 40% of women and 30% of men facing challenges. The study highlights the need for doctors to check in with patients about their sexual health, particularly among this demographic.
Researchers found that opioid-based painkillers increased side effects such as personality changes and sedation by tripling in people with dementia. The study suggests that people with dementia produce more natural opioids, making them sensitive to painkillers.
A new study published in The BMJ found that decompression surgery for shoulder impingement syndrome offers no greater relief from pain than placebo surgery. Two years after the procedure, patients in both groups experienced equally little shoulder pain and were equally satisfied with their situation.
Researchers at UniSA's Body in Mind Research Group have found visual illusions can reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis by up to 40%. The study used visual illusions that altered the size of participants' knees and lower legs, resulting in a cumulative analgesic effect.
A randomized trial found that acupuncture twice a week for six weeks reduced joint pain in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer taking an aromatase inhibitor. Women who received sham acupuncture or no treatment showed less improvement.
Young baseball players who exceed pitch count limits are more prone to elbow injuries. Researchers found that throwing high numbers of pitches per day and games played were associated with an increased risk of pain.
A study by the University of Kent found that mindfulness meditation can increase pain tolerance and mindful awareness in injured athletes. The research used Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as an intervention for recovery, showing promising results. The study has major implications for treating sporting injuries at all levels.
Fatigue is a common symptom of endometriosis, affecting over half of diagnosed women, with links also found to childhood abuse and neglect. The study suggests that endometriosis may cause fatigue independently of other factors, possibly due to inflammation and immune system activation.
A team of researchers at Ohio State University has developed a painless microneedle technology inspired by the mosquito's proboscis. The new design incorporates four key elements: a numbing agent, a serrated design, vibration during insertion, and a combination of soft and hard parts on the proboscis.
Experts argue that persistent musculoskeletal pain without an obvious cause cannot be 'cured' and should be managed as other long-term conditions. Clinicians must be honest about what can be achieved, and patients need to take control of their condition through lifestyle changes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that combining chemical compounds to activate specific nerve cell receptors may reduce the risk of opioid tolerance and side effects by minimizing the amount of opioids needed. The study used mice models, suggesting that this approach could lead to a lower-risk pain treatment option.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed an electronic 'skin' called e-dermis that recreates a sense of touch through prosthetic fingertips. The device enables amputees to perceive sensations such as pain and sharpness, improving prosthetic limb functionality.
A UNLV study reveals that iPad neck pain is a growing problem among Americans, particularly young adults and women. The study found that postures such as sitting without back support and using tablets while lying on the side or back significantly contribute to the condition.
Researchers found that a weight loss of 20% or more leads to improved physical health-related quality of life, reduced pain, and better function. Additionally, this significant weight loss results in an additional 25% reduction in pain compared to a 10-19.9% weight loss.
A new study from LSU Health Sciences Center found that opioids significantly increase the risk of fracture nonunion following acute and chronic administration. The researchers also suggest that certain medications, including Schedule II opioids and prescription NSAIDs, create a greater nonunion risk than non-opioid analgesics.