Articles tagged with Pain
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new Penn Medicine study found that patients seen in emergency departments have misperceptions about opioid dependence and want more information about their pain management options. Patients desire better communication from physicians about their pain management options, along with discussion of the risks of opioid dependence.
Researchers found that acetaminophen blunts positive emotions in users, reducing the intensity of both pleasant and disturbing photos. This study provides new insights into the broader consequences of using common pain relievers like Tylenol.
Researchers found that capsaicin-evoked burning pain sensation is caused by sequential activation of TRPV1 and anoctamin 1, leading to further depolarization. Anoctamin 1 activation increases pain sensation in mice, while chemical blockade provides relief from pain induced by TRPV1 activation.
Many nursing home residents experience high mortality rates and functional decline after lower extremity revascularization. The study found that ambulatory function may not be the primary objective of treatment for these patients.
Patients with stage IV cancer prioritize pain management, home deaths, and quality of healthcare over life extension, while caregivers are willing to pay more for these services. The study suggests that patients' preferences should be directly elicited during treatment decision-making.
A new study by Dr. Faraj Adballah found that single-shot nerve blocks provide limited pain relief after shoulder surgery, lasting only six to eight hours. After this initial period, patients who received the shot experienced a phenomenon known as rebound pain, which worsened their symptoms.
Researchers found that pain relief from diagnostic injections did not correlate with patient outcomes after surgery. The study suggests that careful evaluation of symptoms and imaging findings is crucial in considering patients for surgery. Future investigations into improving success rates are needed.
A recent study published in Osteoporosis International found that painful knee osteoarthritis in women is associated with a higher risk of early death compared to unaffected women. The study, which followed middle-aged women for 24 years, also found no link between hand osteoarthritis and excess mortality risk.
A new study found that 53% of parents/caregivers of youth baseball pitchers are unaware of safe pitching practices designed to prevent overuse injuries. Sixty-four percent of parents or caregivers recalled their child having upper extremity pain as a direct result of pitching.
Researchers created an algorithm to determine factors contributing to arthritis pain in a national representative sample of adults. The study found that physical health status, diabetes, and previous joint pain were the greatest predictors of pain, with an accuracy rate of 98.6%.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that hip replacement is an excellent option to alleviate pain and improve function in juvenile arthritis patients under age 35 when conservative treatments fail. The procedure lasted at least 10 years in 85 percent of patients, with some implants lasting up to 20 years.
Patients with Parkinson's disease experienced improved or eliminated preoperative pain after eight years following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. However, new musculoskeletal pain developed in 75% of patients during the follow-up period.
Institutions like King's College London are reviewing military medical advancements to improve civilian healthcare, focusing on low-resource regions where life-saving treatments can be adapted and implemented. The review calls for research and policy changes to transfer these innovations.
Research shows that muscle metabolites released during exercise activate neural pathways in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, leading to excessive feelings of fatigue. The study suggests that peripheral tissues like muscles contribute to fatigue, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms and potential treatment targets.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that dental pain relief is accompanied by reduced activity in the posterior insula and enhanced connectivity to the midbrain. This discovery provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying dental pain.
The HEART Pathway, a new protocol, helps emergency departments evaluate patients with acute chest pain more efficiently. It has been shown to reduce cardiac tests, early discharges, and hospital stays while maintaining patient safety.
Researchers found PET/MR to be superior in diagnosing foot pain causes, providing more diagnostic information and higher certainty than PET/CT. This non-invasive method offers an important tool for sensitive diagnosis of foot pathologies.
A new brain imaging study has identified a specific brain area, the dorsal posterior insula, directly related to pain intensity. This discovery could help detect pain in people with limited communication abilities.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that frequent radiation exposure and heavy protective gear are associated with increased musculoskeletal pain among technicians and nurses. Researchers recommend improving ergonomic evaluations and rotation to mitigate these effects.
A study published in CMAJ found that nearly a quarter of patients with chest pain who visited an emergency department did not receive follow-up care. Patients with multiple health issues and rural residency were less likely to see a physician after discharge.
Research shows that altering visual cues can impact pain by changing the physical point at which pain is experienced. Participants who suffered from chronic neck pain were shown to have a broader range of motion when visual feedback understated head rotation and a reduced range when it overstated head rotation.
A study published in Menopause found a link between early menopause and chronic fatigue syndrome in women, with 66% of those with CFS having undergone at least one gynecologic surgery. Women with CFS reported excessive bleeding and used hormones for purposes other than contraception more frequently.
Women with primary Sjögren's syndrome experience impaired sexual functioning and higher levels of distress compared to healthy controls. Vaginal dryness, pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms significantly contribute to their symptoms. Healthcare providers should acknowledge and discuss these issues to help patients cope.
Researchers at Brown University found that the brain uses specific patterns of brain wave synchrony to suppress attention and ignore distracting stimuli. By harnessing this process, scientists hope to develop new treatments for pain and depressive thoughts through non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.
Researchers found that interacting with a nurse, watching a DVD, or using stress balls reduced anxiety by 25-30% and pain by 16-22%. Simple distraction techniques can significantly improve patient experience and may be used for other operations without general anesthesia.
Researchers found that blood tests can produce similar results for patients with Chikungunya virus and those with rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the need for diagnostic tools. Detailed travel histories are crucial to distinguish between the two conditions.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that low-risk patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain did not experience a significant increase in heart attack risk regardless of the initial diagnostic testing strategy. The researchers analyzed data from over 421,000 ED visits and concluded that ce...
A new study found that infants show specific brain activity patterns when receiving vaccinations, which may help develop improved vaccination techniques and pain-relieving treatments. The researchers used EEG measurements to identify these patterns, which appeared earlier in younger infants and were more consistent in older children.
A recent study published in PEDIATRICS found that morphine administered for post-operative pain in children who have undergone tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy can cause significant respiratory problems and potentially fatal breathing disruptions. In contrast, ibuprofen was shown to be a safe and effective alternative.
A new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found a link between pain during or after sexual intercourse and mode of delivery. Women who had an operative vaginal birth assisted by vacuum extraction, forceps, or caesarean section were at higher risk for persisting dyspareunia. Intimate partner a...
A new study published in JAMA found that a nurse-implemented sedation protocol did not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in children. The protocol aimed to provide targeted sedation and adjust doses every 8 hours, but it had no significant impact on time on ventilator or recovery from acute respiratory failure.
Researchers from the University of Leeds identified using stairs as the first weight-bearing task that triggers pain in people with early osteoarthritis. The study, which tracked over 4,600 participants, aims to improve early detection and treatment of the condition.
A new study published in Current Biology found that stress caused by being around strangers limits empathy, but playing games together can increase it. Researchers discovered that spending just 15 minutes playing Rock Band with a stranger can move them from an 'stranger zone' to an 'empathy zone'.
A study published in Current Biology found that stress hormones block empathy, while a game of Rock Band increased emotional contagion of pain in both mice and human strangers. Researchers discovered that biochemical changes related to stress prevented emotional contagion in animals.
Research suggests that circumcised boys are more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder (ASD) before the age of 10. The study found a higher risk of infantile autism and hyperactivity disorder among circumcised boys in non-Muslim families.
A Northwestern University study found that pediatric patients who listened to their chosen music or audiobooks had a significant reduction in post-surgical pain. The therapy was effective regardless of the patient's initial pain score and can be used as an alternative to opioid analgesics.
Scientists developed a novel paste based on calcium and phosphorus to address tooth sensitivity, which can lead to more serious dental problems. The new material plugs exposed tubes more deeply than other treatments, providing longer-lasting relief.
Researchers have linked specific neurons to a type of somatosensation, opening the door for a better understanding of our sense of touch. The study found that these neurons respond uniquely to certain tactile stimuli and receive direct synaptic input from other brain regions.