Books

Breaking News

This section includes a wide variety of pain management stories, arranged by date and type (not significance), which have appeared in the popular media (print, broadcast, and on-line) in the last month. Because of the volume of stories, only the first few are included on the main page. Be sure to click on "More Stories" at the bottom of each front page section.

Pain Studies In The News

Celebrex, Naproxen won't prevent mental decline
May 12, 2008
Contrary to prior studies, a new trial shows that daily use of two popular pain-relieving drugs, Celebrex and naproxen, does not prevent cognitive decline in people with a family history of Alzheimer's disease. Story

Interventional procedures now included in American Pain Society's low back guideline
May 12, 2008
The American Pain Society said it is expanding its evidence-based, clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and treatment of chronic low back pain to include recommendations on surgery and other interventional treatments. Story

More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Data show FLECTOR Patch yields significant pain reduction for acute strains, sprains and contusions
May 8, 2008
Results of a study show that FLECTOR Patch offered greater pain reduction and resolution of pain versus placebo patch. Another study demonstrated that the systemic exposure to diclofenac, or amount of active drug circulating in the bloodstream, with FLECTOR Patch used topically every 12 hours over a period of four days was approximately 1 percent of a single 50-mg oral dose of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Voltaren(R) (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets). Story

B. Braun announces upgraded ambulatory and pain management pump – the Curlin 6000 CMSTM – at AACN
May 7, 2008
B. Braun Medical Inc., a global leader in innovative healthcare products and services, announces the launch of the Curlin 6000 CMSTM. The Curlin 6000 CMSTM ambulatory electronic infusion system revolutionizes reliable, smart infusion technology with multi-therapy applications Story

More Pain Stories In The News

Research Abstracts Stay up-to-date on the latest research! This section of Currents offers complete abstracts on a wide variety of pain and pain management topics that have been selected from the National Library of Medicine. All Abstracts

Some include:

Christensen R, Bartels EM, Altman RD, et al.
Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? - a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Abstract

Liddle SD, David Baxter G, Gracey JH.
Physiotherapists' use of advice and exercise for the management of chronic low back pain: a national survey. Abstract

Strassels SA.
Cognitive effects of opioids. Abstract

Taylor GJ.
The challenge of chronic pain: a psychoanalytic approach. Abstract

Tomas-Carus P, Gusi N, Häkkinen A, et al.
Eight months of physical training in warm water improves physical and mental health in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Abstract

233 Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: Alabama. House
Title: use Joint Resolution 247
Summary: Creates the Joint Interim Legislative Committee to Study Fibromyalgia
Sponsor: oore P
Latest Action: 5/01/2008 - To Senate Committee on Rules full text

Branch of Government: California. Senate
Title: Senate Joint Resolution 25
Summary: Urges the Congress of the United States to accelerate the federal investment in fibromyalgia research at the National Institutes of Health, to ensure adequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and coverage of fibromyalgia therapies and to lauch a public awareness campaign on that subject.
Sponsor: Negrete McLeod
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Adopted by Senate. To Assembly. full text

More Legislative and Administrative Updates

New Clinical Guidelines

Analgesics, Opioid
Washington State Agency Medical Directors' Group
Interagency guideline on opioid dosing for chronic non-cancer pain: an educational pilot to improve care and safety with opioid treatment.
[Summary and recommendations]

Arthritis
Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense
Medical management of adults with osteoarthritis
[Summary and recommendations]

Headache Disorders
Singapore Ministry of Health
Diagnosis and management of headache
[Summary and recommendations]

Pain /therapy (general)
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Assessment and management of acute pain
[Summary and recommendations]

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Neck Pain
City: Montgomery
Summary: A study comparing the investigational implant device, the PRESTIGE® LP Cervical Disc, with a control patient group receiving a plate, in subjects with symptomatic cervical disc disease.

Arizona

Endometriosis
City: Phoenix
Summary: A research study of an investigational medication for endometriosis.

Headache Disorders
City: Phoenix
Summary: A study evaluating the safety and efficacy of MK0974 in the treatment of acute migraine in patients with stable vascular disease.

More New Clinical Trials

Advocacy

Leading Pain Organizations' Support of Fibromyalgia Community Recognized Through Charitable Donation Program
May 12, 2008
The American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA), American Pain Foundation (APF) and National Pain Foundation (NPF) are pleased to announce that in recognition of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and the support they provide to millions of people affected by chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, Pfizer is providing a charitable donation to support their educational activities and advocacy efforts. Story

National Neuropathy Awareness Week, May 18th-May 24th STRATEGY TO ACCELERATE RESEARCH (STAR™) FOR CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISORDER MAY HOLD PROMISE FOR MS, MD AND ALS
Chester, PA
Despite its discovery over 100 years ago, most people have never heard of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorder, and yet it is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy, estimated to affect one in every 2,500 people — 2.6 million worldwide. CMT is a progressive disorder that causes the nerve cells leading to the body’s extremities to slowly degenerate, resulting in the loss of normal use of feet/legs and hands/arms. Story

Books

Michaelene P. Jansen, PhD, RN, C (ed.)
Managing Pain in the Older Adult
New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2008
Description: Controlling pain can be challenging since the elderly, in addition to the common physiologic changes of aging, often have multiple health problems and take many medications. Furthermore, drugs are only rarely tested on older adults, so pharmaceutical intervention often relies on a slow trial and error regime. This book covers the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic pain among older adults, analyzes both interventional and complementary therapies, and discusses the problems that are specific to treating the pain of those in this rapidly growing demographic segment.

For additional information and to order at a 20% discount, please visit www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=15675 or call 877-687-7476 and reference discount code ‘AI’

Michael E. Schatman, Alexandra Campbell (ed.)
Chronic Pain Management: Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Program Development
New York, NY, Informa Healthcare, 2007
Schatman and Campbell's innovative text, Chronic Pain Management: Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Program Development, combats the disappointment patients and physicians feel by outlining effective strategies to treat chronic pain.

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Pufferfish toxin investigated for moderate to severe cancer pain
April 29, 2008 (Reuters Health)
Tetrodotoxin, a sodium channel blocker found in several tetraodon pufferfish may relieve moderate to severe cancer pain. In a recent study, 42% of patients experienced a 30% or greater reduction in pain intensity. Story

A mother's cuddle eases a baby's pain
April 24, 2008
Premature newborns suffer less if they experienced skin-to-skin contact with their mother as they underwent a painful medical procedure A cuddle also appeared to help babies recover from pain more quickly. Story

WGBH Boston video helps audiences dope with cancer and other life challenges as we age
April 24, 2008
WGBH Boston Video will debut two new lifestyle DVDs that will provide audiences with an unflinching look at cancer and aging, as well as helpful advice on how to better care for themselves – and their families. The Truth about Cancer, an informative documentary about a one man’s personal battle with terminal cancer, will be released on May 13. Caring for Your Parents, a documentary about how American families are dealing with the struggles of care-giving for elderly parents, will also debut on May 13. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper