This retrospective review assesses the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous lidocaine infusions for complex cancer pain, in a specialist palliative care unit. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 18 infusions over a 2-year period. Data collected included patient demographics, use of adjuvant analgesics, methadone use and opioid requirements (as oral morphine equivalent daily dose, […]
Interdisciplinary treatment (IDT) is an internationally recommended intervention for chronic pain, despite inconclusive evidence of its effects on sickness absence.With data from 25,613 patients in Swedish specialist healthcare, we compared sickness absence, in the form of both sick leave and disability pensions, over a five-year period between patients either allocated to an IDT program or […]
Spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion stimulation are minimally invasive surgical techniques used to treat an array of chronic pain disorders. There is a paucity of data related to defining best practices in these specific patient populations, and historically, providers have relied on consensus committees to opine on the best techniques for patient safety and […]
It is well known that cancer patients more seldom have a psychiatric disorder than noncancer patients with chronic pain. Conversely, earlier studies have suggested that, at the psychiatric level, long-term cancer survivors (LCSs) have more in common with noncancer patients affected by chronic pain.We investigated 89 cancer patients with acute pain (Acute Cancer Pain Patients, […]
Peak alpha frequency (PAF) reduces during cutaneous pain, but no studies have investigated PAF during movement-related muscle pain. Whether high-pain sensitive (HPS) individuals exhibit a more pronounced PAF response to pain than low-pain sensitive (LPS) individuals is unclear. As a pain model, twenty-four participants received nerve growth factor injections into a wrist extensor muscle at […]
While mast cells (MCs) are previously well-known as a pathological indicator of pain, their role in alleviating pain is recently emerged in acupuncture research. Thus, this study systematically reviews the role of MC in acupuncture analgesia. Animal studies on MC changes associated with the acupuncture analgesia were searched in PubMed and EMBASE. The MC number, […]
Treatment outcomes for migraine and other chronic headache and pain conditions typically demonstrate modest results. A greater understanding of underlying pain mechanisms may better inform treatments and improve outcomes. Increased GABA+ has been identified in recent studies of migraine, however, it is unclear if this is present in other headache and pain conditions. We primarily […]
Despite extensive research on the development and risk factors of chronic pain, the process of recovery from chronic pain in later life has been rarely studied. We estimated the recovery rate of moderate to severe chronic pain (chronic pain of moderate or severe severity or interfering with usual activities) among older adults and investigated predictors […]
This study investigated whether there are gender differences in attention to bodily expressions of pain and core emotions. Three experiments are reported using the attentional dot probe task. Images of men and women displaying bodily expressions, including pain, were presented. The task was used to determine whether participants’ attention was drawn towards or away from […]
Increasing emphasis on guidelines and prescription drug monitoring programs highlight the role of healthcare providers in pain treatment. Objectives of this study were to identify characteristics of key players and influence of opioid prescribers through construction of a referral network of patients with chronic pain. A retrospective cohort study was performed and patients with commercial […]
Clinical guidelines agree that preventive treatment should be considered in patients with uncontrolled migraine despite acute medications or patients with ≥4 migraine days per month. However, the criteria to define the effectiveness of treatment and the factors that inform the decision to (dis)continue it are not clearly defined in clinical practice.Overall, 148 healthcare practitioners from […]
During all stages of oncologic diseases, pain is still a major problem. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is one of the most frequently used tools for pain assessment although interpretation is difficult. The main objective of this study is to compare two types of pain evaluation scales: NRS versus (non-)acceptable pain evaluation scale. The secondary […]
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on observationally acquired placebo analgesia of a model’s self-confidence as well as the observer’s self-esteem and self-efficacy. In addition, we aimed to verify the stability of the placebo effect induced by observational learning. Participants (N = 60) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a self-confident […]
Pain and inflammation are common experiences following ocular surgery and, if uncontrolled, can compromise patients’ vision, functioning and quality of life. Corticosteroid drugs are available to manage inflammation and discomfort but have limitations in penetrating the ocular mucus barrier to reach the target ocular tissues. KPI-121 1% (INVELTYS®) is a novel formulation of loteprednol etabonate […]
Pain remains a global health challenge affecting approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. Pain has been an implicit variable in the equation of human life for many centuries considering different types and the magnitude of pain. Therefore, developing an efficacious drug delivery system for pain management remains an open challenge for researchers in the field of […]
Chronic pain in children and adolescents gives rise to high health care costs. Successful treatment is supposed to reduce the economic burden. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in health care utilization and expenditures from one year before (Pre) intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) to the first (Post 1) and second […]
Benefits of phototherapy were characterized in multiple diseases including depression, circadian rhythm disruptions, and neurodegeneration. Studies on migraine and fibromyalgia patients revealed that green light-emitting diodes (GLED) exposure provides a pragmatic and safe therapy to manage chronic pain. In rodents, GLED reversed hypersensitivity related to neuropathic pain. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms […]
Neuropathic pain is a common disability produced by enhanced neuronal excitability after nervous system injury. The pathophysiological changes that underlie the generation and maintenance of neuropathic pain require modifications of transcriptional programs. In particular, there is an induction of pro-inflammatory neuromodulators levels, and changes in the expression of ion channels and other factors intervening in […]
Many online interventions for paediatric chronic pain have been developed and evaluated. In accordance with the biopsychosocial model, the recommended treatment approach for chronic pain is multidisciplinary. Despite this, multidisciplinary components within existing online interventions have not been examined. The objective of the present review was to summarise and evaluate the content of existing online […]
The longitudinal association between persistent moderate to severe pain and subsequent long-term cognitive decline remains inconclusive.Study population came from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, an ongoing prospective and nationally representative cohort of community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years in England. At waves 1 (2002/2003) and 2 (2004/2005) of the study, pain severity was measured based […]
Reduced laser evoked potential (LEP) habituation indicates abnormal central pain processing. But the paradigm (4 stimulation blocks a 25 stimuli) is time-consuming and potentially omits important information on the exact habituation time course. This study examined whether a high temporal resolution (HTR) analysis (dividing the 4 stimulation blocks into 12 analysis blocks) can answer the […]
Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has received increasing research attention demonstrating beneficial effects on pain-related outcomes in adults. Conversely, studies on the effectiveness of PNE in children are scarce.The current study investigated the effect of a pain educational video intervention on child pain-related outcomes (i.e., experienced pain intensity, pain-related fear and catastrophic worry about pain, pain […]
Succinylcholine is a preferred muscle relaxant for rapid sequence intubation. Postoperative myalgia (POM) is one of its commonest adverse effects with unknown pathogenesis. Various modalities were examined to reduce POM. We hypothesized that duloxetine may reduce incidence and severity of fasciculation or succinylcholine-induced POM in outpatient surgeries.This randomized double-blinded trial involved controlled 70 adult participants […]
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) is a neuromodulation technique introduced in the last decade with evolving implant methods. Initial prospective research found low incidences of lead migration and lead fracture with DRG-S. However, several recent studies have highlighted high lead migration and lead fracture rates with DRG-S. We investigated the influence of lead anchoring on […]
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a complex condition that impairs the patients’ quality of life. Registries are useful tools, increasingly used as they provide high-quality data. This article aims to describe the Gr.NP.R design, the patients’ baseline data and real-word treatment outcomes.The Gr.NP.R collects electronically, stores and shares real-world clinical data from Pain and Palliative Care […]
Aim: To describe physical, social and emotional aspects of pain self-reported by patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and patient-physician communication of physical pain. Materials & methods: We analyzed self-reported data from 330 adults receiving anti-MM therapy in Germany and Italy on health-related quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life […]
Proinflammatory mechanisms are implicated in pain states. Recent research indicates that osteoarthritis (OA) patients with signs of central sensitization exhibit elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), Fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1).The current prospective cohort study, including 15 OA patients, primarily aimed to evaluate associations […]
To answer the question: among observational studies, is there any association between primary headaches and bruxism in adults?A systematic review of observational studies was performed. The search was performed in seven main databases and three gray literature databases. Studies in which samples were composed of adult patients were included. Primary headaches were required to be […]
To determine the relationship between hormonal contraceptive (HC) use and painful symptoms, particularly those associated with headache and painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Data from the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) prospective cohort study were used. During the 2.5-year median follow-up period, quarterly health update (QHU) questionnaires were completed by 1,475 women aged 18 […]
To analyze Axis I and II findings of patients diagnosed as having painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) with headache attributed to TMD (HAattrTMD) in order to assess whether HAattrTMD is associated with a specific Axis I and II profile suggestive of the central sensitization process.This retrospective study included 220 patients with painful TMD divided into those […]
The consumption prevalence of OTC medication ranges between 57% and 78% among adolescents in the United States of America; however, the reasons for self-medication with OTC analgesics have not been systematically examined.The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to generate new knowledge and theoretical understanding of adolescents’ use of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics.Qualitative meta-ethnography using Noblit and […]
To compare the prevalence of facial pain and headache across various regions in Sweden.This study involved a comparison of cross-sectional questionnaire studies over a period of 10 years including 128,193 individuals and assessed facial pain, pain on function, and headache. Participants included (1) all Public Dental Service patients aged 16 to 90 years in Västerbotten […]
Recent studies indicate that the assessment of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) responses and emotional factors can provide important information regarding chronification mechanisms, choices for more efficient therapeutic strategies, and clinical variables supporting a therapeutic prognosis.To investigate the impact of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) on CPM and psychosocial factors in individuals with NSCLBP compared […]
To report the effectiveness of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis with viscosupplementation for degenerative joint disease (DJD) over a long-term (ie, 10-22 years) follow-up.A total of 103 patients aged between 30 and 91 years (13 men and 90 women; mean age 63.7 years) who received a cycle of five arthrocentesis sessions with HA viscosupplementation to manage […]
To test the hypothesis that, in comparison with control, experimental noxious stimulation of the right masseter muscle would result in significant changes in the firing rates, thresholds, and recruitment orders of single-motor units (SMUs) of the nonpainful, synergistic right anterior temporalis muscle during goal-directed isometric biting task performance.Twenty healthy volunteers received an infusion of hypertonic […]
To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of the TMD pain screener in a headache population.A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Danish Headache Center (DHC). Patients were included if they had primary or secondary headache, trigeminal neuralgia, or facial pain. The pain screener was compared to the outcome of a full Diagnostic Criteria for TMD […]
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a challenging condition that affects an estimated 26% of the world’s female population. Chronic pelvic pain accounts for 40% of laparoscopies and 12% of hysterectomies in the US annually even though the origin of CPP is not gynecologic in 80% of patients. Both patients and clinicians are often frustrated by […]
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful, long-lasting condition as a consequence of nerve damage resulting from a herpes zoster infection. Although there are many different treatments available to reduce pain duration and severity, PHN is often refractory to them and no single therapy shows an effective cure for all cases of PHN, especially for those […]
Endometriosis is a chronic and estrogen-dependent pelvic inflammatory disease, which may have various causes, such as oxidative stress. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain are well-known symptoms of endometriosis. The present clinical trial assessed the role of supplementation with antioxidant vitamins on the indices of oxidative stress as well as the severity of pain in women […]
Patients with chronic pain and/or spasticity who have an intrathecal targeted drug delivery (TDD) pump require frequent needle access procedures to refill the pump’s medication reservoir. Some patients find the access procedure painful and/or anxiety provoking. The purpose of this study was to determine if a nursing intervention of providing a distraction with a music […]
Low back pain covers a spectrum of different types of pain (eg, nociceptive, neuropathic and nociplastic, or non-specific) that frequently overlap. The elements comprising the lumbar spine (eg, soft tissue, vertebrae, zygapophyseal and sacroiliac joints, intervertebral discs, and neurovascular structures) are prone to different stressors, and each of these, alone or in combination, can contribute […]
Musculoskeletal pain is an aversive experience that exists within a variety of conditions and can result in significant impairment for individuals. Gaining greater understanding of the factors related to pain vulnerability and resilience to musculoskeletal pain may help target at-risk individuals for early intervention. This analysis builds on our previous work identifying regions where greater […]
Aim: To analyze the associations between pain duration, pain levels, anthropometric measures, perceived stress and biochemical markers in women with low back pain. Materials & methods: Forty-two participants were submitted to body mass, height, abdominal circumference, cortisol and creatine kinase (CK) collections. Pain duration, pain levels and stress were analyzed through specific questionnaires. Results: There were […]
Aims: Opioid-reduced anesthesia (ORA) was suggested to decrease morphine consumption after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery and incidence of chronic pain. Materials & methods: A prospective analysis using the ORA in AIS surgery was performed. Two cohorts were compared: a control group (opioid-based anesthesia) and the ORA group. The main outcome was morphine consumption at […]
Epidural blood patches are considered definitive treatment for postdural puncture headache in adult patients. However, they are infrequently used in children or in patients with altered spine anatomy. In patients who have undergone recent spine surgery, the lumbar epidural space can be approached safely via the caudal canal. Our case demonstrates a novel technique to perform […]
Aim: To evaluate pain and length of stay outcomes in six patients who received an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in the emergency department (ED) for low back pain. Materials & methods: A case series of six patients who received unilateral or bilateral ESPB after presenting to the ED for acute atraumatic axial low back pain. Results: The […]
Aim: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of genicular nerves can treat refractory chronic knee pain. This study evaluated association between patient and procedural characteristics and pain improvement after genicular nerve RFA. Materials & methods: A retrospective chart review. Data were extracted from patients who underwent thermal or cooled RFA of the knee. Results: A total of 124 patients […]
Aim: To investigate the effect of knee osteoarthritis (OA) compartment location on pain relief following genicular radiofrequency ablation. Materials & methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 62 patients. Visual analog scale scores at 3 and 6 months post procedure were compared with baseline and between compartment groups. Results: Pain significantly improved for all patients at 3 […]
Fremanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) that selectively targets calcitonin gene-related peptide and is approved in Europe for migraine prevention in adults with ≥4 migraine days/month. The Pan-European Real Life (PEARL) study is a 24-month, prospective, observational study of fremanezumab in chronic or episodic migraine. End points include proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine […]
Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) therapy in the management of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CNP). Methods: A retrospective review with 22 patients with CNP treated with LIFU therapy (frequency 3 Hz, 3 W/cm2, pulse mode duty cycle 50%) was conducted. Results: Out of the 22 patients, 15 had CNP secondary to chemotherapy-induced peripheral […]
Aim: Faces pain scales are widely used to measure pain. So far, no faces pain scale has ever been constructed by Rasch modeling. Hence the authors aimed to construct a new scale by this method. Methods: Rasch modeling was used to provide an initial calibration and development of the ‘Balparda-Herrera Pain Scale’ (BHPS) and this scale was compared with […]
Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of self-directed cannabidiol (CBD) use in patients with end-stage degenerative hip and knee arthritis who underwent total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Materials & methods: Anonymous surveys for 109 patients were completed at 6 weeks follow-up after either total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty at a single tertiary care US […]
The aim of the present study is to determine whether adding shockwave therapy (SWT) to a progressive exercise program improves shoulder pain and function in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy (RC tendinopathy). Ninety patients diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinopathy will be randomly allocated into two groups: active SWT plus a progressive exercise program or placebo SWT plus a […]
Subcutaneous patient-controlled analgesia (SCPCA) is an underutilized method of pain management in palliative care patients. In a select group of patients, including patients in whom enteral analgesia is ineffective or undeliverable, and in patients with limited access to healthcare due to geographical or other logistic issues, SCPCA can provide an effective and safe alternative. View […]
Aim: Obesity is one of the most prevalent comorbidities associated with chronic pain, which can severely interfere with daily living and increase utilization of clinical resources. We hypothesized that a higher level of obesity, measured by BMI, would be associated with increased pain severity (intensity) and interference (pain related disability). Materials & methods: Participant data […]
Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is well recognized as a secondary cause for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). In this case series, we detail the management of all the patients with TN and MS (pwTNMS) presenting to a specialist unit. Materials & methods: A prospective patient database was used to extract key clinical data on pharmacological, psychometric and surgical […]
Previous studies have indicated a negative correlation between GRK2 expression and pain development and transmission. Here, we investigated whether G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) was involved in regulating diabetic mechanical hyperalgesia (DMH).The adeno-associated viral vectors containing the GRK2 gene (AAV-GRK2) were used to upregulate GRK2 protein expression. The expression of GRK2 and exchange protein […]
Assessing pain in mechanically ventilated infants is challenging. The assessment of skin conductance (SC) is based on the sympathetic nervous system response to stress. This study purpose was to evaluate the validity of SC for assessing pain in mechanically ventilated infants.A prospective cross-sectional observational design was used to study SC and its relation to: the […]
Fibromyalgia is a centralized multidimensional chronic pain syndrome, but its pathophysiology is not fully understood.We applied 3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), covering multiple cortical and subcortical brain regions, to investigate the association between neuro-metabolite (e.g., combined glutamate and glutamine, Glx; myo-inositol, mIno; and combined (total) N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate; tNAA) levels and multidimensional clinical/behavioral variables […]
Recent neuroimaging evidence suggests that mindfulness practice may mitigate the biasing influence of prior cognitive and emotional expectations on pain perception. The current study tested this hypothesis using a pain-cueing paradigm, which has reliably been shown to elicit conditioned hypoalgesic and hyperalgesic effects. Specifically, we aimed to investigate whether the instructed use of a mindfulness […]
