Chronic Pain News and Research

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Neuroscientists discover a key piece of the placebo effect puzzle

The placebo effect is very real. This we've known for decades, as seen in real-life observations and the best double-blinded randomized clinical trials researchers have devised for many diseases and conditions, especially pain.

24 Jul 2024

New study links physical activity to reduced depression in osteoarthritis sufferers

Researchers examined whether pain mediates or moderates the link between physical activity and depressive symptoms.

23 Jul 2024

Virtual reality training to combat implicit bias in maternal health care

During a checkup with her obstetrician, Marilyn Hayes tells him about overwhelming exhaustion and possible symptoms of postpartum depression, such as feeling unsafe.

22 Jul 2024

Study finds limited evidence for massage therapy's effectiveness in pain relief

A study in JAMA Network Open reviews evidence on massage therapy's effectiveness in relieving pain, finding moderate certainty for some conditions but overall low certainty for most.

21 Jul 2024

Study: Women with severe endometriosis 10 times more likely to get ovarian cancer

A landmark study from researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U), the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the U, and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine found that women with severe endometriosis are 10 times more likely to get ovarian cancer, compared to women who do not have the disease.

18 Jul 2024

Study identifies a new way to make opioids safer

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a new way to make opioids safer, increasing the pain-relieving properties of opioids while decreasing unwanted side effects through the spinal inhibition of a Heat shock protein 90 isoform.

17 Jul 2024

Genetic marker predicts gabapentin response in chronic pelvic pain

Women who carry a particular form of a pain gene are more likely to respond well to a common medication used to treat long-term discomfort, research shows.

15 Jul 2024

Study finds early, unnecessary opioid prescriptions for teen surgery

A multi-institutional study found that 1 in 6 youths fill an opioid prescription prior to surgery, and 3% of patients were still filling opioid prescriptions three to six months after surgery, indicating persistent opioid use and possible opioid dependence.

12 Jul 2024

‘A bottomless pit’: How out-of-pocket TMJ costs drive patients into debt

Over three decades of relentless pain, Jonna Tallant has tried about every TMJ treatment: mouthguards, six sets of braces, dental crowns and appliances, drugs, physical therapy, Botox, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and surgery.

11 Jul 2024

Understanding patient distress in sickle cell disease

While distress is well-documented in patients with sickle cell disease, sources of distress and how patients manage distress have not been well explored.

9 Jul 2024

Smartphone-based behavioral therapy leads to improvements for patients with fibromyalgia

New research led by the University of Cincinnati and Swing Therapeutics found that a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia.

8 Jul 2024

Military women and female family members face higher risks of chronic pain

A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that military women and female family members face significantly higher risks of chronic pain.

8 Jul 2024

Targeted vitamin D supplementation may lower depression risk for deficient individuals, study finds

Targeted vitamin D supplementation for those with low levels can reduce the risk of depression, but shows no significant impact on chronic pain or other conditions.

7 Jul 2024

Researchers identify key players in abnormal bone differentiation

A study conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions reveals the molecular events leading to osteogenesis imperfecta type V, a form of brittle bone disease caused by a mutation in the gene IFITM5.

27 Jun 2024

Study uncovers new insights into the main human cold and menthol sensor TRPM8

Chronic pain affects millions worldwide, and current treatments often rely on opioids, which carry risks of addiction and overdose.

21 Jun 2024

New psychotherapy shows promise in reducing chronic pain for older veterans

A new study led by UCLA Health and the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office found chronic pain among older adults could be significantly reduced through a newly developed psychotherapy that works by confronting past trauma and stress-related emotions that can exacerbate pain symptoms.

13 Jun 2024

New findings show 1 in 4 Canadians with bipolar disorder achieve complete mental health

New research conducted by the University of Toronto and published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Reports highlights that among Canadians previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 43% were free of all bipolar symptoms and approximately 1 in 4 (23.5%) had achieved complete mental health.

11 Jun 2024

Study identifies functional sex differences in specialized pain-producing nerve cells

Research suggests that males and females differ in their experience of pain, but up until now, no one knew why.

10 Jun 2024

Johns Hopkins researchers discover how epilepsy drug modulates brain activity

By super cooling a molecule on the surface of brain cells down to about minus 180 degrees Celsius -; nearly twice as cold as the coldest places in Antarctica -; scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have determined how a widely-used epilepsy drug works to dampen the excitability of brain cells and help to control, although not cure, seizures.

10 Jun 2024