Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 two-year study found that zoledronic acid did not reduce knee pain or bone marrow lesion size in patients with osteoarthritis. However, it showed symptomatic benefit in those with milder disease. The study's results may suggest a potential role for zoledronic acid in relieving symptoms in patients with mild osteoarthritis.
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.
The NIH HEAL Initiative aims to advance addiction and pain research in the US to improve opioid treatment and pain management. The program focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to address long-term addiction.
Most anesthesiologists (72%) experience emotional and professional effects after medical errors, with common symptoms including guilt, lack of confidence, and anger. Many (60%) seek help from colleagues, but only half feel adequately trained to manage the situation on their own.
Researchers have conducted the world's first randomized trial showing that hip arthroscopy is a more effective treatment for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, a common cause of groin pain in young adults and athletes. The study found that patients improved significantly with hip arthroscopy compared to physiotherapy-led programmes.
New research from UC Riverside psychologist Kalina Michalska finds that children's experience of pain is significantly influenced by their expectations. The study, involving healthy and anxious children, reveals that simply telling them they will experience pain can actually increase the severity of their pain. In contrast, distracting...
A recent study revealed that pain tolerance is strongly associated with friendships, particularly among males. The study found that friends tend to have similar pain tolerance levels, which may be due to social transmission or peer pressure.
A new study suggests that just two weeks of compassion meditation training can reduce distress and improve ability to respond with compassion when witnessing others' suffering. The research found that compassion training shifted habits of becoming overly distressed, leading to a calmer and more balanced response.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that liposomal bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, did not reduce opioid prescriptions or complications after total knee replacement surgery. The study included over 88,000 patients and found no significant benefit from adding liposomal bupivacaine to multimodal pain management reg...
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly one-quarter of initial opioid prescriptions in Ontario had doses exceeding the suggested threshold of 50 milligram morphine equivalents. Dental pain accounted for a significant number of these prescriptions, while postsurgical pain patients often started on higher daily doses.
Researchers found that non-invasive brain stimulation technologies like tDCS and TMS significantly improve fine motor movement in stroke patients. These gains were also observed in healthy participants' non-dominant hands, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for these treatments.
A recent study of 148 women with lupus found obesity worsens disease activity, depressive symptoms, and pain and fatigue. Lifestyle interventions can reduce health risks and debilitating symptoms in overweight lupus patients.
Researchers at Allina Health examined pain treatment outcomes of integrative medicine in hospitalized patients and found significant cost savings associated with pain reductions. The study, published in JACM, suggests that integrative interventions can lead to a decrease in hospital costs by up to $1,000 per admission.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that vertebroplasty, a surgical procedure to repair spinal fractures, does not provide significant pain relief for patients with osteoporosis. The trial involved 180 adults and showed no difference in pain scores between those who received vertebroplasty and those who underwent a sham procedure.
Researchers found that childhood adversity is strongly associated with mood and sleep problems in adulthood, which lead to greater physical pain. However, optimism and feeling in control can mitigate this connection.
A Johns Hopkins study found that physicians' use of stigmatizing language in medical records can lead to negative attitudes towards patients and less aggressive pain management. The study suggests that neutral language in medical records can perpetuate bias among physicians.
A new study found that low-dose fish oil supplements can reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Additionally, weight loss, exercise tailored to mobility, and a diet rich in vitamin K can also ease symptoms. A calorie-restricted diet was effective in reducing pain for overweight patients.
Researchers discovered a brain network that gives rise to feelings of gratitude, identifying the medial prefrontal cortex and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) as key regions. These areas process relevant social information and integrate it into complex emotions, such as gratitude.
A network meta-analysis of 53 randomized controlled trials found naproxen most effective in improving both pain and function, followed by cortisone injections and PRP injections. The study suggests naproxen as a relatively safe and low-cost treatment option for knee osteoarthritis.
Researchers tracked 27 patients for five years after receiving purified CD34+ cell therapy, showing improved pain management and limb salvage. The study suggests a potential new cell therapy for debilitating disease.
Researchers found that walking the course provides significantly higher health benefits and is not associated with increased pain or inflammation. Golfing while riding a cart still offers cardiovascular benefits, but walking is the superior option.
A study of 92 trials found that music significantly decreased anxiety and pain in surgical patients, with a reduction of 21 mm in anxiety and 10 mm in pain. The findings suggest guidelines for implementing music interventions during surgery can be created.
A new study suggests that biofeedback-assisted relaxation using the BrightHearts app can effectively manage pain and anxiety in children undergoing medical procedures. The app's use was well-tolerated by patients, parents, and healthcare providers, with many indicating they would use it again during a procedure.
A brief bedside visual art intervention (BVAI) improved mood and reduced pain and anxiety in patients with haematological cancers. The study found significant improvements in positive mood and pain scores, as well as decreases in negative mood and anxiety.
A randomized clinical trial found that a program combining education and exercise training reduced pain and improved thoughts of pain compared to usual care. The treatment targets fear of movement and pain catastrophizing, common problems with chronic spinal pain.
The phase III ALEX trial showed that alectinib improved progression-free survival and prolonged time to CNS progression compared to crizotinib. Patients treated with alectinib also experienced longer symptom improvement in terms of health-related quality of life and lung cancer-related symptoms.
A recent study has found that treating an infected hip replacement in a single stage procedure may be as effective or better than the widely used two-stage procedure. The one-stage revision strategy is shown to have advantages for patients, including shorter hospital stays and reduced functional impairment. However, further research is...
A novel protein derived from a parasite has been identified as a therapeutic molecule to reduce bleeding and pain associated with chemotherapy-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. The protein, IPSE, was found to be equally potent as the current standard of care in suppressing bladder hemorrhaging and pain.
Most older adults (4/5) support allowing medical marijuana if recommended by a physician, while 2/3 advocate for more government-sponsored research on its health effects. The poll also reveals conflicting views on pain management, with prescription medications seen as more effective in controlling dosages.
A pen and paper chart, EPAT, helps doctors regularly record pain levels using a traffic light system, leading to reduced pain in cancer patients, and improved monitoring of medications and side effects. The study suggests this simple approach can put pain management at the forefront of routine care, with potential benefits for patients.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that knee pain is associated with an increased risk of depression in older adults. The research team developed a new screening tool based on questions about knee pain at night, which may help identify individuals at risk for developing depressive symptoms.
Researchers discovered a highly specific neural circuit in mice that responds to hunger to create an analgesic effect, suppressing inflammatory pain and allowing the animals to seek food. The study found that acute pain can also suppress hunger, suggesting a hierarchy of needs prioritizing survival behaviors.
A meta-analysis of 692 patients with vascular malformations found that they had lower scores on a health survey, indicating increased bodily pain and mental health distress compared to the general U.S. population. This study highlights the importance of addressing the quality of life for patients with these conditions.
A new report finds that lap-band surgery significantly reduces arthritic knee pain in extremely obese individuals, with younger patients experiencing more substantial relief. Weight loss is most beneficial for those who lose the most weight, particularly those in their 40s.
A new clinical study led by Sheela Swamy of University College London found that antibiotics can significantly reduce symptoms of chronic bladder pain and urinary tract infections. The study analyzed 624 women who had suffered from long-term symptoms for over six years, with no relief from previous treatments.
A study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine found custom-made foot orthoses ineffective in treating plantar heel pain. Other conservative interventions, such as modified footwear and taping, showed similar results.
A minimally invasive treatment called geniculate artery embolization (GAE) has been shown to significantly reduce knee pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis. The treatment involves blocking key arteries in the knee to reduce inflammation and pain, resulting in improved range of motion and function.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered the atomic structure of acid-sensing ion channels, which play a role in pain sensation and psychiatric disorders. The study's findings could inform the development of new therapeutic agents targeting these channels for stroke and pain treatments.
A positive outlook may help improve outcomes for people with chronic angina, reducing hospital visits and revascularization procedures. Patients who were more optimistic had fewer episodes of heart-related hospital stays, even after accounting for overall health.
A recent study published in PNAS found that holding hands can synchronize brain wave patterns and reduce pain. The study also discovered that empathy plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, with more empathetic partners experiencing greater brain activity sync.
A study of 20 couples found that brain-to-brain coupling during handholding was associated with pain reduction in the female partner. The phenomenon, known as social touch analgesia, may be linked to increased empathic accuracy between partners.