Research on pain and how to relieve it. Covers chemotherapy nerve injury, music and pain, migraine patterns, and back-pain treatments.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a new class of oral peptide therapeutic leads for treating chronic abdominal pain. These gut-stable oxytocin analogues offer a safe, non-opioid-based solution for conditions such as IBS and IBD.
A recent longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals that older adults with migraine are at a substantial increase in risk of depression during the pandemic. Increased family conflict, difficulties in accessing healthcare, and caregiving responsibilities were associated with higher risks of depression among this population.
Researchers at Maynooth University are leading a two-year study to develop non-abrasive bandages that can be sprayed onto the skin and melted away painlessly. The goal is to reduce the agony experienced by those living with Epidermolysis Bullosa, a genetic skin condition affecting over 500,000 children and adults worldwide.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis found spinal cord stimulation therapies to be more effective in reducing chronic back and leg pain. These findings suggest spinal cord stimulation as a valuable option for chronic pain management.
The 2024 Guidelines for First Aid provide critical updates on recognizing and responding to mild, moderate, and life-threatening emergencies. The guidelines offer enhanced guidance on managing opioid overdoses, bleeding, and other conditions, as well as improved recommendations for emergency care involving children.
A study of over 4,000 participants found that those with both conditions showed faster memory impairment. The researchers suggest that the combination of joint pain and depressive symptoms can lead to an 'overlap' of information in the brain, causing cognitive decline.
Researchers compared vowels in pain, disgust, and joy interjections to nonlinguistic vocalizations across 131 languages. They found consistent vowel signatures for pain and disgust, but not for joyful emotions.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that unclear procedures and distribution of responsibilities among healthcare workers can lead to poor oral health in older adults in nursing homes. The researchers suggest that a more structured process can promote communication and awareness of good oral health practices.
A new hourglass-shaped stent could improve blood flow and alleviate severe chest pain in people with microvascular disease. The study found that 76% of participants experienced improvement in their daily activities, including walking and climbing stairs without pain.
Researchers trained an AI model on goat faces in pain, achieving 62-80% accuracy. This technology may help clinicians treat pain effectively in patients who cannot speak. The goal is to develop a more generalizable system for pain assessment in animals and eventually humans.
A new study has identified 16 distinct types of nerve cells in humans, challenging the long-held assumption that each type of sensation is linked to a specific nerve cell. The research reveals complex interactions between these nerve cells and their functions.
A large-scale clinical trial will enroll 644 children across the US to determine if adding acetaminophen or ketorolac to opioid-based pain control reduces pain in critically ill children. The study aims to improve pediatric intensive care worldwide by reducing side effects and increasing long-term patient outcomes.
Research by Marieke Wieringa found that people are more inclined to believe a robot is in pain if it's manipulated to experience emotional distress. This can lead to increased pity and decreased willingness to mistreat the robot.
Researchers develop transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive therapy for brain-related issues, with potential for personalized treatments. A 'search and rescue tool' for the brain, TUS enables precise targeting of specific areas before treatment.
A new intervention will be developed by University of South Australia researchers to help young people with chronic childhood arthritis overcome barriers to physical activity and mental wellbeing. The VITAL Project aims to validate, understand, and empower activity in people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, reducing pain invalidatio...
Research suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain levels, anxiety, and heart rate, with patients experiencing a lower need for opioid medication. Music's calming effect may also contribute to faster recovery by easing the transition from waking up after surgery.
A new study has found that men and women utilize different biological systems to relieve pain. Women rely on non-opioid based pathways, which may explain why they respond poorly to opioid therapies and are more likely to become addicted. The research suggests tailoring pain treatment to an individual's sex may improve patient outcomes.
Researchers analyzed mice infected with herpes virus and found that removing STING from nociceptors resulted in significant reduction of pain without affecting inflammation or viral load. The discovery may apply to other viral and bacterial infections, including COVID-19.
A new five-year NIH-funded study will investigate the impact of stress, illness, and inflammation on bias in healthcare workers, particularly towards patients from racial minority groups. The research aims to identify situations that increase bias and develop effective anti-bias strategies.
A recent study published in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy found that children who undergo surgery for discoid lateral meniscus are at higher risk of developing further knee injuries with age. Younger patients were particularly prone to relapse after surgery.
Researchers found that positive expectations lead to increased activity in pleasure-related brain regions, while negative expectations prime pain processing. The study suggests a dissociable impact of hedonic information, with positive expectations facilitating reward processing and negative expectations heightening anxiety.
Researchers used AI to repurpose FDA-approved drugs for chronic pain treatment. The LISA-CPI framework identified compounds that can bind to specific pain receptors and modulate signaling effects. Studies are underway to validate these compounds in the lab, offering a promising approach to advanced pain management.
A new review of evidence has found that buprenorphine-precipitated withdrawal occurs in only 0-13.2% of adults taking their first dose, with symptoms being generally mild. The study calls for better evidence to measure the true risk and encourages doctors and patients to use this effective treatment.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a 10-year, $100 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue its Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network. The network will fund new research on trauma care and expand ongoing studies.
A new randomized study of 168 people investigated the neurochemical underpinnings of the placebo-effect, finding that dopamine does not play a direct causal role in establishing positive treatment expectations and placebo analgesia. Instead, dopamine may interact with reward processing related to active agency and motivation.
Researchers at MIT and MGH developed statistical models based on rigorous physiological data from over 100 surgeries, providing accurate measures of nociception. The new models aim to help anesthesiologists optimize drug doses and minimize post-operative pain and side effects.
A systematic review of risk stratification tools found high-sensitivity troponin tests to have the highest diagnostic accuracy for ruling out acute coronary syndrome. However, these findings require further validation before recommending their use in primary care settings.
Researchers aim to understand sex-specific effects of wheelchair use in childhood and adolescence to detect, prevent, and treat shoulder pain more effectively. The study uses state-of-the-art MRI scanners and quantitative morphometrics to quantify anatomical changes related to pain.
A randomized trial of 50 older adults undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty found no difference in pain scores or other outcomes between liposomal bupivacaine and standard bupivacaine. The study suggests that the use of liposomal bupivacaine may not be worth considering for geriatric patients with hip fractures.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that large language models demonstrated no racial or gender discrimination in opioid treatment recommendations. The results suggest that these AI models have the potential to reduce bias and improve health equity in pain management, which is a critical area where disparities exist.
A new poll shows that 21% of people aged 50 and older used cannabis in the past year, with 12% using it at least monthly. The study highlights potential risks of cannabis use, including risky driving and addiction, as well as the importance of discussing its use with healthcare providers.
A study of 164,170 Medicare beneficiaries reveals racial disparities in opioid prescriptions after hip fracture hospitalization. Black and Asian patients receive significantly lower doses of opioids compared to white patients.
Researchers investigate synthetic oxytocin as a potential pain reducer and addiction curber for susceptible older adults. A two-year study with NIH funding aims to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on acute pain management and opioid use.
A new study found that hospital-admitted patients with sickle cell disease who received Lactated Ringer’s solution had shorter hospital lengths of stay, fewer readmissions, and less pain control medication compared to those who received normal saline. This shift in practice may improve patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
A breakthrough technology allows for touchless infrared imaging to monitor changes in pupil size and gaze direction behind closed eyes. This innovation can help identify wakefulness, awareness, and pain in sleep, anesthesia, and intensive care, enabling more accurate clinical decision-making.
Researchers at UF are creating a data biorepository to explore pain pathways and create custom treatments. They're collecting and analyzing human tissue samples and using AI to map and understand the complex relationship between neurons and pain.
Researchers from Medical University of Vienna discovered that TRPV1 is the primary detector of noxious heat in humans, but other molecular mechanisms contribute to protective heat avoidance. The findings have significant implications for research into heat damage prevention and potential new therapies.
Researchers found that sustained neck exertions alter the cervical spine's curvature, leading to muscle fatigue and increased risk of neck pain. The study provides new insights into the mechanical changes that occur in the spine and muscles when performing repetitive tasks.
A study by researchers at the University of Helsinki found that high rein tension can cause horses to open their mouths, indicating discomfort. Horse trainers should monitor horse behavior and adjust training to prevent mouth injuries.
The World Innovation Summit for Health will explore the need for innovation in healthcare to support vulnerable populations and build resilience. The summit aims to humanize health by addressing pressing global health challenges through evidence-based solutions.
A study published in The Lancet found that starting medical abortion at home is as safe as in a hospital, with 71% of participants able to be treated as day patients. The procedure also promotes patient autonomy and can reduce healthcare costs.
A study at Karolinska Institutet reveals that morphine activates a 'morphine ensemble' of neurons in the brain, leading to pain relief. This understanding may help develop new strategies to treat pain without triggering addiction and overdose.
A study from University of Gothenburg links work-related pain to mental illness among construction workers. Managers' empathetic or neglectful attitudes are highlighted as key factors in mental health.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that general exercise programs can reduce urinary incontinence symptoms almost as much as pelvic floor yoga. The LILA study involved 240 women who experienced urinary incontinence at least daily, and randomly assigned them to either a pelvic yoga program or a physical condit...
A recent study by University of Missouri researchers found that giving nurses massages during their shifts can reduce physical aches and pains while improving mental rejuvenation. The study's lead researcher aims to create a healthier work environment where nurses are excited to remain in the profession long-term.
Researchers developed an approach to clearly separate physical and psychosocial components of pain, allowing for more targeted treatment. The new method combines measuring body signals, self-disclosure, and computerized evaluation to create two indices: one for physical component and one for psychosocial component.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that about one-third of patients experience persisting abdominal pain five years after cholecystectomy. Researchers recommended caution with the procedure in patients with gallstones and abdominal pain, suggesting a restrictive selection strategy may be more effective.
A small comparative study found that 20 minutes of mindful breathing significantly reduced cancer pain intensity and unpleasantness, as well as anxiety. The researchers suggest that this brief intervention holds promise in enhancing pain management for cancer patients.
A WVU researcher argues that more validation is needed for the increasing number of gallbladder surgeries performed for biliary dyskinesia, a functional gallbladder disorder. The researcher suggests that a combination of factors must come together to diagnose and select patients who would benefit from surgery.
A study by the University of Gothenburg finds that removing Fallopian tubes during laparoscopic sterilization results in marginally more surgical complications than cutting them. The procedure may help protect against future ovarian cancer, a serious disease with limited early symptoms.
The review paper examines the scope of people affected by long COVID, ranging from fatigue to cognitive impairment, and current treatment options. Researchers emphasize the need for biomarkers and targeted therapies to address root causes of the disease.
Researchers found the woman was embalmed with costly imported ingredients, contradicting traditional beliefs about mummification. The study also revealed she suffered from arthritis and had a unique facial expression that may be attributed to a cadaveric spasm caused by intense pain.
Researchers assessed botulinumtoxin-A treatment to improve walking capacity in children with cerebral palsy. The trial found some evidence of reduced calf pain and delayed improvement in energy cost, but no significant benefit for overall walking ease.
A cross-sectional study in Australia and Canada found that physical exercise is associated with fewer depression symptoms in people with osteoarthritis. The study suggests that exercise may be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing severe pain, improving mental health outcomes.
Researchers have identified a strategy to design safer opioids that suppress pain with fewer side effects. An experimental opioid, RO76, was found to produce a signal within cells that differs from those initiated by classic opioids, leading to reduced breathing rates and withdrawal symptoms.
The study found that massage therapy has moderate-certainty evidence for some conditions but rare conclusive evidence of its superiority over other treatments. The review highlights the need for more research in this area.
A new technological breakthrough has enabled scientists to visualize opioid signaling in the brain in real-time, providing a deeper understanding of how opioids affect the brain. This breakthrough has opened up new avenues for developing more effective and safer therapeutics for pain management and mental health disorders.
A team of researchers has developed light-activated compounds that can inhibit nerve signals locally and on demand, offering a potential treatment for neuropathic pain. The compounds, which are activated by amber-colored light, show photopharmacological activity in animal models.
The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded seven Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) grants totaling $140,000 to foster collaboration between groups. The grant increase represents a 40% boost over the previous year's funding.
A new study by ACS Journal of Proteome Research identifies shifts in tear protein levels as predictors of long-lasting pain after LASIK surgery. The analysis suggests that specific patterns of protein changes could one day be used to evaluate patients' risk of post-surgical eye pain and find new treatments.