Noisy knees may be an early sign of knee osteoarthritis
A new study links knee osteoarthritis to noisy knees in high-risk individuals. Approximately 75% of those who developed OA within a year had x-ray signs but no frequent pain.
Pain
Articles tagged with Pain
Ill-gotten gains are worth less in the brain
A UCL-led study found that the brain responds weaker to money gained through immoral actions compared to those earned morally. The research identified a neural process that dampens the appeal of profiting at others' expense.
Two papers challenge exclusion of acupuncture in government guidelines
Two papers challenge the UK's National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) guidelines for excluding acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis of the knee and low-back pain. The authors argue that NICE applies a higher evidentiary standard to acupuncture than other modalities, which may diminish its effectiveness.
Methadone may reduce need for opioids after surgery
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that methadone significantly reduces the need for opioids after spinal fusion surgery. Patients treated with methadone required less intravenous and oral opioids to manage postoperative pain, reported lower pain scores, and had improved global satisfaction.
The placebo effect can mend a broken heart too, CU Boulder study shows
A recent CU Boulder study found that the placebo effect can significantly reduce emotional pain and brain activity associated with social rejection. The study used fMRI to track brain responses in volunteers who had recently experienced a breakup, finding that placebos reduced physical pain and emotional distress.
More Americans being hospitalized for a hypertensive emergency, but fewer are dying
A new study reveals a rising trend in hospitalizations for hypertensive emergency but a decrease in hospital mortality rates over the last decade. The presence of acute cardiorespiratory failure, chest pain, stroke, and aortic dissection were key predictors of higher hospital mortality.
Women more sensitized than men to metal used in joint replacement
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that women are more likely to experience hypersensitivity to metals used in joint replacements, leading to increased pain and complications. Women accounted for 60% of patients with unexplained pain after joint replacement, with higher average pain scores than men.
Painkillers relieve zebrafish larvae discomfort
Researchers have found that pain relief medication can ease the discomfort of zebrafish larvae, offering a potential replacement for adult fish used in scientific research. This breakthrough reduces animal suffering and paves the way for more humane testing methods.
New, persistent opioid use common after surgery
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that approximately 6% of patients continued to use opioids more than three months after surgery. Risk factors for persistent opioid use included preoperative tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and preoperative pain disorders.
New tool uses behavioral cues to assess pain in ICU patients who can't communicate
Researchers developed the Behavior Pain Assessment Tool (BPAT) to evaluate pain in critically ill patients unable to communicate verbally. The tool, based on eight observable behaviors, was validated in 28 countries and found to be reliable and valid for use in clinical practice.
This timid little fish escapes predators by injecting them with opioid-laced venom
Researchers found that fang blenny venom contains a neuropeptide, lipase, and opioid peptide, which cause a sudden drop in blood pressure in predators. This leads to disorientation and can help the fish escape. The venom's unique components have also inspired mimicry among other fish.
Virtual reality therapy helps decrease pain in hospitalized patients
A new study published in JMIR Mental Health found that virtual reality therapy significantly reduced pain scores in hospitalized patients. Patients who wore VR goggles experienced a 24% drop in pain, while those who viewed standard video content saw a 13.2% decrease.
Tests can help quantify automatic empathy and moral intuitions
A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.
Paying for pain: What motivates tough mudders and other weekend warriors?
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers will pay big money for painful experiences like obstacle races and ultra-marathons. Through extensive interviews with Mudders, researchers learned that pain helps individuals cope with reduced physicality and create a story of a fulfilled life.
Optical tool monitors brain's circulatory response to pain
Researchers used cold pressor tests to assess the relationship between pain threshold and tolerance, and the associated hemodynamic response in the cerebral cortex. The study found no gender difference in hemodynamic responses to pain but sheds light on hidden differences in biological variables in the human brain.
First patient cured of rare blood disorder
A Chicagoan has become the first adult patient to be cured of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia with a novel stem cell transplant protocol. The patient, David Levy, underwent the procedure in 2014 and is now free from pain and independent.
Surgery may not offer additional benefit to patients with tennis elbow, study shows
A recent study suggests that surgical approaches to treating tennis elbow may not provide additional benefits compared to a placebo procedure. Patients who underwent surgery experienced significant improvements in pain measures within 26 weeks, with no significant difference between the two groups at any point.
Pinpointing the mechanisms that underlie emotional responses to pain
Researchers have identified a key mechanism driving the emotional response to painful inflammation, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for managing chronic pain. Prostaglandins in brainstem serotonin-producing neurons play a crucial role in this process.
Pain relief molecule featuring first artificial cellular communications receptor
Researchers successfully created a synthetic receptor that recognizes signals involved in pain relief and can be switched on and off using chemical messengers. The breakthrough could hold the key to altering the way cells respond to pain and other sensations by adding or bypassing natural communication pathways.
Continuous pain is often not assessed during neonatal intensive care
A recent analysis found that only 31.8% of newborns were assessed for prolonged, continuous pain in European neonatal intensive care units. Intensive care units with specific support systems performed assessments more frequently, highlighting the need for better pain monitoring in newborns.
Painkillers without dangerous side effects
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a new mechanism of action for painkillers that produces substantial pain relief in inflamed tissues without causing severe side effects. The prototype, NFEPP-prototype, binds to opioid receptors only in acidic environments, avoiding respiratory depression and dependency.
Foot pain often occurs in clusters
A new study analyzed 558 individuals with foot pain and identified five clusters with unique patterns based on age, sex, and comorbidities. The findings provide insights into foot pain patterns in the community and highlight opportunities for targeted interventions.
Nicotinamide riboside (vitamin B3) prevents nerve pain caused by cancer drugs
Researchers found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation prevented nerve pain in rats treated with chemotherapy, which could lead to improved outcomes for patients. The supplement increased levels of NAD+, a cell metabolite that protects against nerve damage.
Chest pain: New tool helps doctors decide when tests are needed
A new online tool uses data from the PROMISE trial to predict patients at minimal risk for heart trouble, allowing primary care doctors to safely defer non-invasive cardiac tests. The tool considers 10 clinical variables and can help clinicians quantify minimal risk, opening a conversation with patients on whether a test is worthwhile.
Radiation therapy continues to be gold standard to palliate painful bone metastases
The updated clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) underscores the safety and effectiveness of palliative radiation therapy (RT) for treating painful bone metastases. The guideline recommends optimal RT dosing schedules, including options for re-treatment, to provide pain relief, with a single 8-Gy ...
Children's National urologist receives NIH R01 grant
Children's National urologist Michael Hsieh is awarded a $1 million grant to generate mutant forms of IPSE, a parasite-derived protein that may alleviate bladder pain. The goal is to develop IPSE as an alternative to opioids for treating pain in general.
Study provides insights on optimal treatment of Paget's disease of bone
Long-term bisphosphonate therapy for Paget's disease of bone found no significant clinical benefits, increasing fracture risk instead.
How to stop pain from serious burns using epigenetics
Researchers have discovered a new epigenetic marker, pS10H3, that regulates pain processing in the spinal cord. Blocking this marker may lead to new pain relief therapies for burn victims.
Rule could take one-third of chest pain patients off emergency department heart monitors
A new clinical decision rule developed in Ottawa has been validated to safely take a third of chest pain patients off of heart monitors, freeing up beds for sicker patients. The rule was tested on 1,125 patients and found to accurately predict those who needed to stay on heart monitors with 100% accuracy.
UVA slashes opioid use while improving pain scores, study finds
A study of over 100,000 surgical cases at UVA Health System found patients' pain scores improved even as opioids were given fewer times. The average amount of opioids given per surgery declined 37%, while non-opioid pain medications increased by 120%.
First study to show chair yoga as effective alternative treatment for osteoarthritis
A new study found that chair yoga significantly reduced pain and improved functional ability in older adults with osteoarthritis. The 8-week program also showed long-term benefits, with reductions in pain interference lasting three months after completion.
Quick blood test for gut bacteria can predict risk of death and heart problems in patients
Researchers found that measuring TMAO levels in blood could predict risk of death and other major heart problems in patients with chest pains. Higher TMAO levels were associated with increased risks of serious heart problems, death, and thrombosis in both short-term and long-term periods.
Shoulder pain linked to increased heart disease risk
A new study finds that individuals with symptoms at increased risk for heart disease are more likely to have shoulder problems, including joint pain and rotator cuff injury. The research suggests that controlling blood pressure and other heart risk factors may alleviate shoulder discomfort.
Study: Opioid prescribing declines following release of national guidelines for physicians
A new study found that opioid prescribing rates in Canada decreased by 13.7% following the release of national guidelines for chronic non-cancer pain management in 2010. However, rates of opioid-related hospital visits rose 13% between 2010 and 2013, possibly due to high-dose prescriptions increasing overdose risk.
Anesthetic cream best for relieving vaccination pain in infants
Researchers found that liposomal lidocaine combined with parental video instruction and oral sucrose significantly reduces acute pain during vaccinations. The study involved 352 healthy infants who received scheduled vaccinations, with the best results seen for those using lidocaine cream consistently.
Scientists discover how to reverse pain caused by diabetes-related nerve damage
Researchers identify molecule that inhibits protein responsible for converting touch to pain receptors in skin, paving way for new drug development to treat diabetic neuropathy and other nerve damage-related pain. The study shows promising results with minimal impact on non-pain related touch sensitivity.
Supportive care for cancer patients remains inadequate
Supportive care, including pain relief and medication to prevent side effects, remains insufficient for many cancer patients, especially those on government-funded schemes in India. This can lead to delayed treatment cycles and poor quality of life. Researchers emphasize the need for better policies and access to effective treatments.
How one minute could prevent unnecessary hospitalization, tests for patients with low-risk chest pai
Using a one-minute shared decision-making aid can reduce unnecessary hospitalization and advanced cardiac testing for patients with low-risk chest pain. The study found that the aid resulted in greater patient knowledge, increased patient involvement in decision-making, and reduced admissions for observation.
Phantom movements in augmented reality helps patients with intractable phantom limb pain
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel treatment for phantom limb pain, reducing symptoms by 50% in over a dozen amputees. The new approach uses augmented reality and machine learning to control virtual environments with muscle signals from the missing limb.
Acupuncture improved mastectomy recovery in Abbott Northwestern Hospital study
A study published in Oncology Nursing Forum found that acupuncture improved recovery after mastectomy surgery by reducing pain, nausea, and anxiety. Patients who received acupuncture had a greater reduction in symptoms compared to those with traditional care.
Use of prescription analgesics differs significantly between persons with and without Alzheimer's
A recent study found that approximately one-third of Alzheimer's patients use prescription pain relievers, comparable to those without the disease. However, the type and frequency of analgesics used differed significantly between groups. Paracetamol was most commonly used, while anti-inflammatory medications were less frequent.
Hyperuricemia is associated with musculoskeletal pain
Research suggests elevated urate levels may be associated with musculoskeletal pain in asymptomatic individuals. Cross-sectional study found ultrasound evidence of monosodium urate crystal tissue deposition in intra- and extra-articular structures.
Educational intervention improves rate of knee replacement among black patients
A decision aid significantly increased the rate of total knee replacement surgery among black patients, who were more likely to undergo surgery when informed about treatment risks and benefits. The intervention also led to a higher uptake of surgery among those willing compared to unwilling patients, women, and younger patients.
Exercise may not provide benefit over physical therapy after knee replacement
A randomized trial found that strengthening and aerobic exercises did not alleviate long-term knee pain or improve activity limitations compared to usual care. Most patients experienced reduced knee pain and improved function, but physical performance deficits persisted 12 months post-replacement.
New research links genetic defects in carbohydrate digestion to irritable bowel syndrome
Genetic defects in sucrase-isomaltase gene variants are associated with an increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome. The study found that rare mutations were twice more common among IBS cases than healthy controls, and a common variant with reduced enzymatic activity was also linked to increased risk.
Men and women show sex-specific improvements after hip replacement
New research findings suggest that men and women have different post-surgical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. Women who had improved functional recovery showed more abductor strength improvement and better gait function during walking. Tailoring rehabilitation to each sex may help patients achieve better outcomes.
Dental occlusion and ophthalmology: A literature review
Research investigates links between dental occlusion, temporomandibular joints, and vision. Malocclusions, myopia, astigmatism, and cross-bite prevalence found in patients with malocclusions, suggesting a clinical connection.
Study finds mild exercise helps decrease pain and improve activity level in older adults
A low-impact exercise program in senior centers helped decrease pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life for participants. Participants reported significant improvements in activities of daily living and were very satisfied with the program.
Easing labor pain may help reduce postpartum depression in some women, early research suggests
A study suggests that epidural anesthesia can decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression in certain women. Researchers controlled for known risk factors and found a significant association between better pain relief and lower depressive symptoms.
Public health insurance may be a predictor of pain in post anesthesia care unit
A study found that patients with public health insurance were more likely to experience high pain levels in the post anesthesia care unit, regardless of their overall health, age, gender, or neighborhood income. This disparity highlights the importance of considering insurance type as a factor in patient care.
Patients report symptom improvement following prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis
A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found prolotherapy to be effective in reducing pain and improving knee function among individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Most participants reported a substantial decrease in pain after receiving hypertonic dextrose injections around the affected joint.
Women who opt for laughing gas during labor, may still get an epidural, study shows
A new study finds that nitrous oxide provides limited pain relief during labor and does not prevent women from requesting epidurals. Despite its increasing availability in the US, epidural anesthesia remains the most effective method for managing labor pain.
Research shows physical activity does not improve after hip replacement
Research from University of East Anglia reveals no significant increase in physical activity after hip replacement surgery, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests that patients may need more encouragement to engage in physical activity post-operatively.
Patients benefit from enhanced recovery programs: Are better prepared for surgery, have less pain
ERAS programs employ various methods to ease postoperative pain and fast track patient recovery. Research suggests that treating pain is a key aspect of ERAS, with combination therapy showing promise in controlling pain levels. Patient education classes are also shown to empower patients and improve outcomes.
Wearable fitness tracker monitors patients' postoperative functional recovery at home
A study using wearable activity trackers found that monitoring patients' postoperative functional recovery correlates strongly with reported complications, showing a median of 1,247 steps on day seven compared to preoperative daily steps.
New technique for quickly diagnosing breastfeeding pain developed by Ben-Gurion U.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a new technique using a dermatoscope to quickly diagnose breastfeeding pain. The method allows for 10-fold magnification and a three-dimensional image, enabling accurate identification of causes of nipple pain.
Loyola study finds female triathletes at higher risk for pelvic floor disorders
A Loyola Medicine study found female triathletes experience high rates of stress urinary and anal incontinence, with nearly a quarter also screening positive for the female athlete triad. Researchers highlight the need for women to seek medical care if symptoms persist.
X-rays: The first & best screening tool in diagnosing knee pain among middle-aged patients
A study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that X-rays are the most effective diagnostic tool for knee pain in middle-aged patients. The study suggests that weight-bearing X-rays should be obtained before an MRI to screen for knee pain, as they can often provide enough information for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Study: Care providers underestimate pain during pediatric burn dressing change
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that pediatric burn pain assessment can vary based on nurse clinical experience. The Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale (FLACC) was used to rate pain in pediatric patients, with less experienced nurses demonstrating higher accuracy than more experienced ones.
Study suggests persistent childbirth pain increases risk of postnatal depression
Research suggests that women experiencing persistent childbirth pain are more likely to develop postnatal depression following birth. A study conducted in 2016 found that women with persistent pain had significantly higher scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale compared to those whose pain resolved within four weeks.