Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
A study funded by the NIH found that acupuncture treatment significantly improved physical function and reduced pain in older adults with chronic low back pain, compared to usual medical care. The study showed a modest but positive effect of acupuncture on disability scores, anxiety symptoms, and pain intensity.
A new study published in Psychology and Health journal found that individuals with chronic pain experience higher levels of perfectionism and lower levels of self-compassion. Researchers suggest that increasing self-compassion and addressing perfectionistic tendencies may be beneficial for managing chronic pain.
Researchers found that improving diet quality reduced chronic musculoskeletal pain from 50% to 24%, while also decreasing pain-related quality of life. The study suggests that adopting a healthier diet may lead to meaningful reductions in pain and improve overall wellbeing.
A new study published in the American Cancer Society's journal reveals that nearly 1 in 10 patients undergoing surgery for early-stage cancer will initiate opioid prescriptions long-term. The research found that those with a prior history of chronic pain, comorbidities, and lower socioeconomic status were at higher risk.
A new study from UTS highlights the emotional and mental toll on teachers managing student pain in classrooms, finding educators often feel helpless, emotionally drained, and unsupported. The research identifies three key areas where pain science education can create meaningful change for both teachers and students.
Insomnia patients taking cannabis-based medical products reported significant improvements in sleep quality, anxiety, and pain over 18 months. The study found sustained benefits with minimal side effects, suggesting potential for medical cannabis as an option for conventional treatments.
Research reveals neuroglia play active role in brain function, driving disease progression through atrophy and functional decline. Therapeutic strategies targeting neuroglial signaling may prevent damage following brain injury or protect against neurodegenerative processes.
Despite long-held assumptions, a new study reveals that the brain's somatosensory cortex holds a stable 'body map' even after limb loss. The findings have significant implications for treating phantom limb pain and restoring sensation in prosthetic limbs via brain-computer interfaces.
A new Cochrane review has found no clear evidence of benefit for ketamine in treating chronic pain conditions. The review identified an increased risk of adverse effects such as delusions and vomiting. High-quality trials are needed to determine the role of ketamine in chronic pain care.
A new study suggests that subtly adjusting the angle of the foot during walking can reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis and slow its progression. By tailoring each patient's foot angle to their unique walking pattern, experts believe an easy and fairly inexpensive way to address early-stage osteoarthritis may be found.
Researchers have developed a new approach to relieving arthritic knee pain through gait retraining, which involves adjusting the angle of a person's foot while walking. The study found that participants experienced pain relief equivalent to medication and showed less knee cartilage degradation over a year.
Researchers create breakthrough imaging system that shows sensory activity in real time, enabling them to distinguish between different sensations. The technique uses a genetically encoded voltage sensor to observe electrical signals from neurons and has major implications for treating chronic pain and sensory disorders.
Researchers found that injecting botox directly into the TMJ alleviated TMD-related pain, hypersensitivity, and neural activity, while preserving movement abilities. The study suggests avoiding muscle tissue to overcome botox side effects and offers new hope for treating jaw disorders.
A study using anonymized patient records from UC health centers found over 600 correlations between endometriosis and other conditions, including infertility, autoimmune disease, and certain cancers. The research supports the growing understanding of endometriosis as a multi-system disorder.
A new genetic study has identified genes involved in neuronal signalling and sensory pathways as key drivers of chronic cough. The findings advance our understanding of cough reflex hypersensitivity as a nervous system-mediated process, opening up opportunities for targeted treatments.
Researchers found that external cues alleviated pain for all participants but only half reported less pain with placebo treatment. Predictive cues were less impactful when patients received placebo treatment. The study suggests cue-based expectations have more consistent effects than treatment-based expectations.
A study by the University of Exeter found that immersive VR nature scenes can reduce symptoms of long-term pain. Participants who felt more present during the experience experienced the strongest effects. The study suggests that nature scenes delivered using VR can help change how pain signals are transmitted in the brain and spinal cord.
Remote, scalable cognitive behavioral therapy-based treatments improved pain and quality-of-life outcomes for individuals with high-impact chronic pain. These lower-resource treatments could increase availability of evidence-based nonpharmacologic pain treatments.
Studies have shown that emotional or psychological stress enhances pain responses, but the effects of social pain transmission remain elusive. Researchers found that ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by mice in response to pain stimuli can induce emotional transmission and hyperalgesia in other mice.
A study using AI language models analyzed sentiments and emotions expressed by almost 400 pediatric patients on social media, finding that 94% of comments were negative, with sadness and fear prevalent. The study highlights the need for integrated care approaches to support vulnerable young patients managing complex medical conditions.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a brain circuit that gives physical pain its emotional tone, revealing a potential target for treating chronic and affective pain conditions. The study found that a group of neurons in the thalamus can mediate the emotional side of pain in mice.
A new study found that Black emergency department patients are less likely to be treated with opioids, but when their preferences are not met, they are at a higher risk of misusing opioids three months later. Patients who were satisfied with their pain care had lower rates of opioid misuse.
Researchers identified a key brain region, the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter (vIPAG), that modulates pain and emotional responses in threatening situations. By inhibiting specific cells within this region, scientists discovered a potential pathway for better pain relief.
Researchers have discovered that multimodal pain integration in the brain significantly enhances overall pain perception when participants are instructed on how to perceive the pain. The precuneus region of the brain plays a vital role in integrating pain information into a cohesive and intensified pain experience.
A new device created by USC biomedical engineers could help sufferers avoid the need for opioids. The UIWI stimulator is designed to provide real-time, personalized pain management through machine learning algorithms and wireless power supply.
A study from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that the brain's braking system fails in chronic pain, leading to increased pain signals. This discovery opens the door to targeted therapies and may help prevent pain from becoming chronic.
A machine learning model developed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis can predict the risk of persistent post-operative pain and provide uncertainty estimates for each prediction. The model achieves better performance than other prediction algorithms and offers a valuable tool for doctors to guide their decisions.
A new study found that babies are born with the ability to sense physical pain but lack the cognitive understanding of it. The research, led by UCL researchers, used brain imaging data from infants and adults to map the development of pain-processing networks in the brain.
A new study reveals that paracetamol blocks pain signals before they reach the brain by acting on nerve endings. This discovery opens the door to developing safer pain treatments. The active metabolite AM404 targets specific sodium channels in pain-sensing neurons, stopping pain signals.
Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Brussel have developed a method to express and study Nav1.9, a channel protein linked to pain and itch. This breakthrough paves the way for targeted therapies without opioids' downsides, offering new hope for treating unexplained pain symptoms.
A study published in The Journal of Pain found that nature exposure can help people with chronic lower back pain by providing a sense of escapism, social connection, and physical exercise. Researchers recommend incorporating accessible design features into natural spaces to improve inclusivity.
A study found that 72.5% of young Brazilian women suffer from symptoms like itching, discharge, and pain during intercourse, negatively affecting quality of life and sexual health. The research suggests that vulvovaginal symptoms are often normalized, leading to undertreatment and emphasizing the need for more intimate health education.
A new study identifies three compounds that suppress the heat of chili peppers, hinting at a potential 'anti-spice' condiment. These compounds, including capsianoside I, roseoside, and gingerglycolipid A, may have pain management implications by desensitizing TRPV1 receptors.
A study by University College London researchers found that depressive symptoms worsen long before pain begins in middle-aged and older adults. Early mental health interventions may help prevent or reduce later aches and pains.
Researchers at University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a potential way to reduce female post-operative pain by inhibiting pituitary prolactin. Stress can increase circulating levels of prolactin, leading to worsened post-operative pain in women.
A cross-sectional study found common experiences of gaslighting and substantial distress among patients with vulvovaginal disorders. The study emphasizes the need for education supporting a biopsychosocial approach to vulvovaginal pain, as well as the development of validated instruments to quantify patient experiences.
Research found that negative expectations have a stronger and longer-lasting impact on pain perception than positive ones. The study showed that nocebo effects, where participants expect a negative outcome, were more powerful and persistent than placebo effects, with implications for patient-practitioner communication.
A global research initiative analyzing data from nearly 2 million people in diverse populations worldwide has uncovered multiple new genes associated with osteoarthritis. The study also identified key genetic pathways and 69 genes whose protein products are targeted by approved drugs, paving the way for repurposed treatments.
A study published in JAMA found that metformin reduced knee arthritis pain over six months in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and overweight or obesity. The treatment was shown to have a moderate effect on pain reduction, with the metformin group reporting a 31.3 point decrease compared to the placebo group.
A new project identified the top 10 priorities in global burns care research, focusing on psychological effects, cost-effective treatments, and long-term care. The study surveyed over 1,600 people across 88 countries to guide future research and treatment improvements worldwide.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been shown to provide long-term relief for patients with late radiation-induced injuries, improving symptoms of urinary incontinence, bleeding, and severe pain. The treatment can lead to the healing of chronic injuries and allow patients to live a fully normal life.
New research suggests that patients' muscle quality before hip replacement surgery may predict their risk of poor recovery. Patients with poor muscle quality were more likely to perform poorly on movement tasks after surgery, compared to those with good muscle quality.
Apremilast reduces both drinking and pain sensitivity in preclinical models of alcohol use disorder, with significant effects observed across biological sexes and strains. The study suggests apremilast could be repurposed as a dual-acting therapy for AUD, particularly in individuals with pain during and after alcohol use.
Researchers have found that adults with cerebral palsy are often prescribed medications that don't align with the underlying type of symptom they're experiencing. Physical and occupational therapy, two primary interventions for pain management in children with CP, were prescribed for only 41% of adult participants in the study.
Combining dexmedetomidine with spinal anesthesia prolongs pain relief and reduces shivering during surgery, suggesting improved recovery outcomes. However, it may slightly increase the risk of a slower heart rate.
A newly-published Cochrane review found significant gaps in clinical rating scales used to assess pain in newborn babies. The review of 79 studies involving over 7,000 infants across 26 countries revealed that none of the available scales are backed by high-quality evidence.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy identified five risk factors for athletes developing shoulder pain, including range of motion, strength, and training load. The research also examined treatment options for frozen shoulder, an inflammatory condition that causes unrelenting stiffness and pain.
The study found that patients with coaxial silicone drains had lower analgesic consumption and better-preserved respiratory muscle strength during the first 2 postoperative days. This suggests that coaxial SIL drains can reduce postoperative pain and improve patient comfort and recovery following VATS lobectomy.
Researchers have discovered a significant increase in inflammation and C-reactive protein levels in female patients with sickle cell disease during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. This finding may help identify potential targets for managing pain crises, particularly when combined with hormonal contraceptives.
A new randomized clinical trial found that mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy improved physical function, quality of life, and reduced pain among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain. The benefits persisted for up to 12 months.
The American College of Physicians issues Best Practice Advice for managing chronic noncancer pain with cannabis or cannabinoids. For most patients, common treatments should be recommended first due to limited evidence and known harms associated with cannabis and cannabinoid products.
A virtual reality experiment found that fear, pain, and expectations can disrupt the mind's grip on the body. The study used the rubber hand illusion to test how top-down factors influence a sense of body ownership in individuals with depersonalization tendencies.
Researchers found that watching nature videos reduces acute physical pain and brain activity related to pain processing. This effect is attributed to the reduced raw sensory signal received by the brain when exposed to nature.
A new study found that viewing nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception. The research suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine and could provide an alternative way to relieve pain, potentially used in conjunction with medication.
Binghamton University researchers have created a hydrogel electrode that includes conductive carbon nanotubes to monitor nerve activity in spinal cord neurons and leg muscles in mice. The technology solves the problem of rigid materials causing damage during movement, allowing for long-term functionality and single-cell signal detection.
A new study found that higher temperatures reduce the effectiveness of natural mosquito repellents by desensitizing their pain receptors. This means mosquitoes may find these substances less irritating in hotter weather, potentially leading to increased bites and disease transmission.
Researchers have revamped a symptom assessment instrument to address pain, anxiety, and other symptoms of nursing home residents who are cognitively impaired. The new tool reliably captures physical and emotional distress, well-being, and end-of-life symptoms, providing guidance for expanding palliative care services in nursing homes.
A study by Dr. Keum Sehoon's team identified key neural ensembles in the anterior cingulate cortex that encode empathic freezing, a behavioral response to witnessing distress in others. The researchers found that observing another's pain triggers activation in the ACC as if the observer were experiencing pain themselves.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to find the optimal combination of pain management tools for patients undergoing mastectomy procedures. The study will enroll approximately 100 patients and examine various combinations of pectoralis nerve blocks, non-opioid analgesics, and administration methods.
Children who frequently miss school due to abdominal complaints are more likely to have gut-brain axis disorders like IBS, which can be missed by medical tests. The study found that frequent absences were nearly five times more likely to be caused by functional GI disorders than specific illnesses.