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

Multiple studies confirm positive outcomes of chiropractic care for whiplash injuries
July 05, 2007
Four published research studies validate that chiropractic care provides significant, ongoing relief for whiplash.Story

Triptan may safely prevent menstrual migraine
July 5, 2007
Naratriptan, a drug used to treat acute migraine, can be safely taken long term to prevent some of the migraines women may experience around the time of their period, research shows. Story

47 More Pain Studies In The News

Pain Stories In The News

Has science unearthed the Holy Grail of pain relief?
July 11, 2007
Scientists studying one of nature’s simplest organisms have helped to unravel the structure of a key molecule that controls pain in humans. Story

Functional syndromes • Brains interpret pain signals differently
July 8, 2007
Some researchers now think that ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches, and pain, and tingling in her hands and arms may have a common cause. Studies have shown that the brains of people with these conditions may interpret pain signals differently than those of other people. Story

17 More Pain Stories In The News

Capps, Rogers Introduce Legislation To Help Americans Suffering From Pain
July 11, 2007
Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) have introduced the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2007 in congress. This legislation aims to improve pain care research, education, training, access, outreach and care. Story

Class action commenced against manufacturer of Oxycontin(R)
June 14, 2007
A class action on behalf of persons in Canada, other than in Quebec, who were prescribed and who ingested Oxycontin was filed against Purdue Pharma, Purdue Pharma Inc., Purdue Frederick Inc., the manufacturers of that drug. Story

How to survive a state board investigation
June 2007
The most important thing when being investigated by a state medical board is to keep a level head (because you haven’t necessarily done anything wrong, you’re just being investigated) and contact an attorney. Story

Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse

Overcoming opiophobia & doing opioids right added to Pain-Topics website
May 2007
Most arguments against the use of opioids for significant short-term or long-term pain problem are usually based on irrational fears, or so-called “opiophobia.” However, this ignores the fact that the only direct biologic pain-relief system in the human body is the endogenous opioid receptor system. Story

News From Industry Sources

Medtronic neck disc as good as fusion-US FDA staff
July 13, 2007
Food and Drug Administration staff said a Medtronic study showed the Bryan disc was "non-inferior" to spinal fusion and potential risks from both treatments were similar. Story

Boston Scientific announces launch of new Precision Plus(TM) Spinal Cord Stimulation System
July 2, 2007
Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the launch of the world's smallest rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulation System neuromodulation device for the treatment of chronic pain of the trunk, back and limbs. Story

10 More News From Industry Sources Stories

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:

Cicero TJ, Inciardi JA, Surratt H.
Trends in the use and abuse of branded and generic extended release oxycodone and fentanyl products in the United States. Abstract

Kiefer RT, Rohr P, Ploppa A, et al.
Complete recovery from intractable complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS-type I, following anesthetic ketamine and midazolam. Abstract

Roth CS, Burgess DJ, Mahowald ML.
Medical residents' beliefs and concerns about using opioids to treat chronic cancer and noncancer pain: a pilot study. Abstract

Sagar SM, Dryden T, Wong RK.
Massage therapy for cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and mind. Abstract

Shi Q, Langer G, Cohen J, et al.
People in pain: how do they seek relief? Abstract

Tan G, Craine MH, Bair MJ, et al.
Efficacy of selected complementary and alternative medicine interventions for chronic pain. Abstract

293 More Research Abstracts

Legislative and Administrative Updates

Branch of Government: U. S. House of Representatives
Title: HRS 470
Summary: Calls for Congress to support medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for pediatric cancer patients and other efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research.
Sponsor: Pryce
Latest Action: 06/07/2007 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. [full text]

Branch of Government: Illinois General Assembly
Title: House Resolution 426
Summary: Encourages the Department of Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to address pain management
Sponsor: Feigenholtz
Latest Action: 06/14/2007 Resolution Adopted [full text]

4 More Legislative and Administrative Updates

Practice Guidelines

Analgesics, Opioid
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Assessment and management of chronic pain: percentage of patients diagnosed with chronic pain who are prescribed an opioid who have documentation of an opioid agreement form in the medical record.
[full text]

Headache Disorders
European Federation of Neurological Societies.
EFNS guideline on the drug treatment of migraine – report of an EFNS task force
[full text]

2 More Practice Guidelines

New Clinical Trials

Alabama

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
City: Birmingham, Hoover
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the long-term safety profile of Tapentadol (CG5503) extended release (ER) at dosages ranging from 100 to 250 mg twice a day in treating patients with moderate to severe chronic pain over a period of 1 year. The study will also assess dosage requirements over the long term; characterize adverse events and tolerability, sleep quality, and potential symptoms of withdrawal; characterize pain intensity scores and overall impression of change; and characterize patient-related health outcomes.

Arizona

Arthritis (Knee)
City: Tucson
Purpose: A 2 Week, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo And Positive Controlled, Parallel Group, Multicentre Study To Assess The Efficacy And Tolerability Of PF-00592379 In Patients With Moderate To Severe Pain Due To Osteoarthritis.

99 More New Clinical Trials

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

When they say I feel your pain, they do!
June 18, 2007
Some people really feel something when they say "I feel your pain," -- an empathy which is called "mirror touch synaesthesia," according to a British medical research report. Story

Is Harry Potter a migraineur?
June 2007
Headache disorders are common in children and adolescents. Even young male Wizards are disabled by them. Story

Editorial Team
Edward Duensing, Research
Lennie Duensing, Editorial

Design
Carol Harper