Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
A low-impact exercise program at senior centers in New York City's Chinatown and Flushing, Queens communities has helped decrease participants' pain and improve mobility. The program, led by bilingual instructors, reduced musculoskeletal pain by 32% and improved function in activities such as climbing stairs and lifting groceries.
A study of over 2,200 obese patients found that bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in bodily pain, physical function, and walking speed. However, patient age, income level, depressive symptoms, and pre-existing medical conditions can affect the likelihood of improvement.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology found that humans can empathize with humanoid robots in perceived pain. However, the beginning of the top-down process of empathy is weaker for robots than for humans. This study contributes to the development of human-friendly robots whom we feel sympathy for and comfortable with.
Researchers found that acupuncture and Alexander Technique lessons significantly reduced chronic neck pain by 32% and 31%, respectively, at 12 months. These interventions provided clinically relevant reductions in pain levels without medication use, offering new hope for patients with chronic neck pain.
A randomized, controlled trial found both acupuncture and the Alexander Technique led to significant long-term reductions in neck pain and associated disability compared with usual care. The interventions also showed high acceptability rates and greater adherence, leading to improved self-efficacy and outcomes.
A recent study found that stopping breastfeeding due to pain or physical difficulties increases the risk of postnatal depression. The study suggests investing in support systems to enable women to breastfeed successfully.
A pooled analysis of available evidence suggests that high levels of total cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of tendon abnormalities and pain. Chronic low-level inflammation, prompted by cholesterol build-up in immune cells, may be a key factor contributing to this link.
An expert argues that home is not always the best or preferred place to die, and that hospitals should be given more attention and resources for providing excellent end-of-life care. Dr. Kristian Pollock highlights the need for improved pain control and support services in both home and hospital settings.
Research reveals women with knee osteoarthritis have greater sensitivity to pain stimuli, such as heat and cold, and widespread pain. This study's findings may inform treatment strategies for both men and women.
Researchers at Temple University School of Medicine are testing the effectiveness of mirror therapy in reducing pain and improving mobility in combat veterans with complex orthopedic injuries or nerve damage. The study aims to assess whether this technique can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for these individuals.
Researchers found that manipulating self-experienced pain affects empathy for pain in others through the endogenous opioid system. The study suggests empathy relies on simulation and is grounded in our own experiences, which may explain why feelings of others can affect us so immediately.
Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy found that the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale can predict stroke patients who will develop upper limb spasticity within one year. This allows for early treatment to minimize pain, impaired function, and other repercussions of spasticity.
Newborns in clinical trials are often denied analgesia for minor painful procedures, despite international guidelines. A recent review found that up to 70% of control group babies received no pain treatment.
A randomized trial found that yoga improved physical health, pain, energy, mood, and daily activities in people with arthritis. The study also showed long-term improvements in physical function and walking speed.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found racial disparities in pain management among children with appendicitis in emergency departments, with black children receiving less pain medication and opioids. The study analyzed data from 2003 to 2010 and suggested that more research is needed to understand why such disparities exist.
A retrospective case series found specific epidural steroid injections to be effective in treating short-term pain from lumbar spinal stenosis. The study contradicts a previous NEJM study and suggests future trials using interlaminar injection with long-acting steroids.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that children with broken bones or joint dislocations in northern Israel received equal pain relief, regardless of their ethnicity. The study, which lasted four years, including an 11-week period of armed conflict, showed that opioid therapy was administered to nearly all children...
A recent study found that depression is strongly associated with the frequency of chest pain in adults with and without underlying coronary artery disease. Patients with depression were three times more likely to experience more frequent chest pain than those without depression.
A new protein (C5orf30) has been identified as a genetic marker for rheumatoid arthritis severity, allowing for early diagnosis and targeted treatment. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce tissue damage caused by the condition.
A new protein (C5orf30) has been identified as a genetic marker that can help regulate the severity of tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. This discovery enables early identification of patients at risk of severe joint damage, allowing for fast-tracked treatment with more aggressive therapies.
A new algorithm using a highly sensitive troponin I assay can reduce mortality and cut triage times to one hour for patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. The algorithm allows for safe discharge or rapid treatment initiation, enabling better resource utilization.
A recent study at Washington University School of Medicine found that quitting smoking after a heart attack leads to immediate improvements in chest pain, daily life, and mental health. The benefits became apparent as little as one month after quitting, with more pronounced effects after a year.
Researchers found that quitting smoking within a year after a heart attack can lead to similar levels of chest pain and mental health as non-smokers. Smokers who continued to smoke after a heart attack had the worst health status of the four groups, with increased odds of having chest pain.
A new Canadian guideline has been published to help manage pain during vaccination in both children and adults. The guideline includes recommendations for various age groups and settings, such as physician's offices and public health settings.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a technique using tiny gold rods to target pain receptors and activate TRPV1, leading to desensitization and pain relief. The gold nanorods have been shown to be more efficient than magnetic nanoparticles in heat generation and activating TRPV1 receptors.
A comprehensive review of available evidence confirmed that listening to music before, during, and after surgery reduces postoperative pain, anxiety, and the need for painkillers. The study involved nearly 7,000 patients and found music to be effective even when patients were under general anaesthetic.
A new study from Binghamton University reveals that women experience more emotional pain following a breakup, with an average rating of 6.84, compared to men's 6.58. However, women tend to recover more fully and come out emotionally stronger than men, who never fully recover but simply move on.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of meniscal transplants remain viable at 10 years, relieving pain and improving knee function. However, many patients required additional surgery within 15 years.
Researchers at NYU's Bluestone Center are working on a novel non-viral gene delivery method to treat oral cancer pain, which is consistently ranked as one of the most painful cancers. The method aims to reverse epigenetic changes using gene therapy and selectively disrupt nociceptive signaling with limited off-target effects.
Researchers found that breast cancer survivors who used liquid lidocaine on the vulvar vestibule experienced reduced pain and improved sexual function. The study's results suggest that this non-invasive treatment could alleviate physical and emotional pain associated with sex, making it more enjoyable for both individuals.
A study found that patients who experienced significant reductions in pain and disability after spine surgery were more likely to be satisfied with their outcomes. Factors such as initial severity scores, insurance status, and mental health played a role in patient satisfaction rates.
Researchers found that US health care providers perceive South Asians as being more reluctant to report pain and seek medications. This is partly due to cultural differences in medical practice in South Asia, where patients are often not asked about their pain and may be given low-dose pain medications after surgeries.
A University of Delaware-led study found that an intensive regimen of regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the short-term onset of knee pain for overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Arthritis Care and Research, shows a 15% decrease in knee pain development among those who underwent the intensive pro...
SLU pain researcher Daniela Salvemini has been awarded the NIH's Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award to develop new painkillers that can quell terrible pain while minimizing debilitating side effects. The two-year grant will support her search for innovative ways to mitigate opioid side effects and preserve their pain-relieving ability.
Researchers at McGill University found that treadmill workstations lower neck and shoulder muscle activity, leading to less discomfort. The study suggests that minor movements and adjustments can help prevent muscle pain in office workers.
Two randomised controlled trials found patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to be statistically and clinically superior for patients with non-traumatic abdominal pain, with users reporting lower total pain scores. However, results were more equivocal for patients with traumatic injury, leaving room for further investigation.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that knee surgery for middle-aged and older adults with persistent knee pain offers a small but significant effect on pain, but no benefits for physical function. The research also identified potential harms, including deep vein thrombosis and infection.
A new trial found that hydroxychloroquine does not reduce pain, disability, or joint stiffness in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis. The study suggests that this medication should no longer be prescribed for this condition, highlighting the need for alternative treatment options.
A new evidence-based protocol to treat acute, severe pain in emergency department patients has been shown to be effective and safe. The study found that simply asking patients if they want more pain medication resulted in satisfactory pain control for 99% of participants.
A new iPad app, 'This Feeling!', has been shown to be preferred by 95% of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) over conventional tools. The app uses interactive technology to help children describe their pain experiences, improving communication and support for long-term management.
More than a third of patients experience phantom eye symptoms every day, with some feeling pain in the non-existent eye and others perceiving visual patterns or colors. The study provides insights into the prevalence and characteristics of phantom eye syndrome in patients with intraocular melanoma.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego developed a novel facial pattern recognition software to assess pediatric pain levels. The software achieved good-to-excellent accuracy in assessing pain conditions and performed equivalent to parents but better than nurses.
A study of US and international orthopaedic surgery patients found that despite receiving more pain medication, American patients reported higher worst pain scores than international patients. This suggests that the relationship between pain medication and pain perception may be complex.
Research reviews suggest that individuals with cognitive impairment, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, exhibit altered pain processing. This is often accompanied by increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, making effective diagnosis and treatment challenging due to communication difficulties.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center identified brain regions activated during mismatches between expected and experienced pain. The parietal lobe and insular cortex were found to be involved in processing real-time mismatches.
Researchers from the University of Sydney have found a humane way to kill cane toads by placing them in a refrigerator for a few hours before transferring them to a freezer. This method induces unconsciousness without causing pain, solving a long-standing dilemma for communities affected by the invasive species.
Researchers identified the PRDM12 gene essential for pain-sensing neurons in humans, which could lead to the development of new pain treatments. The study found that genetic variants of PRDM12 block the production of pain-sensing neurons, leading to conditions like congenital insensitivity to pain.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that people can be conditioned to associate images with specific pain responses without conscious awareness. This study suggests that unconscious learning may have a significant impact on higher cognitive processes, including pain perception.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that short-course oral steroids resulted in only modest improvement in function and no significant reduction in pain for patients with acute sciatica. The research suggests that oral steroid treatment may not be an effective option for this common condition.
A study published in JAMA found that oral steroids did not significantly improve pain in patients with acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk. However, the treatment showed small improvements in function, suggesting potential benefits for some patients.
A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found a low risk of life-threatening cardiac events among patients with chest pain who have normal test results. The researchers suggest discharging these patients to outpatient settings for further testing, which could significantly reduce hospital admissions.
A large study found that routine hospital admission for patients with chest pain and negative emergency department evaluations is rarely associated with adverse cardiac events. The study suggests that judicious follow-up in the outpatient setting may be more effective, improving patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary hospitalization.
A new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and inflammation in pediatric patients with acute appendicitis. The treatment also showed a modest drop in white blood cell count, suggesting a biophysiological basis for its effectiveness.
Researchers analyzed 2,765 adults who underwent angioplasty and found that quitting smoking significantly improved quality of life and reduced chest pain. Smoking cessation was associated with a lower risk of chest pain at one year after the procedure.
A new study suggests that exercise training to strengthen hip flexor muscles can increase walking distance and reduce calf pain in patients with clogged leg arteries. Researchers found that PAD patients use their ankle flexors more during walking due to weakness in hip muscles.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new compound called boronicaine that offers longer-lasting painkilling effects compared to lidocaine. The compound provides about five times longer relief, making it a potential alternative for treating sports injuries and joint replacement procedures.
Research from Cornell University finds that texting during minor surgery under local anesthesia can significantly reduce pain demand, with stranger interactions more effective than companion conversations. Patients who texted with strangers received up to six times less narcotic pain relief compared to those without phone access.
A study on adolescent bariatric surgery found that severely obese teens experience musculoskeletal pain and functional difficulties. Lower extremity pain was a key predictor of functional impairment and low health-related quality of life scores.
Researchers discover TMPRSS2 gene as key player in triggering severe forms of cancer pain. The discovery could lead to targeted therapies shutting down the expression of this gene or its ability to infiltrate pain receptors.
A pioneering Oxford University study using MRI scans found that babies experience pain much like adults, with 18 of 20 brain regions active in adults also active in babies. The study suggests that infants may be more sensitive to pain than adults and highlights the need for improved pain relief guidelines.