Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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
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.
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.