Pain Studies In The News
Migraines can signal psychiatric woes in returning Iraq vets
May 3, 2007
Almost one in every five U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq is being diagnosed with migraines, and this group has nearly double the risk for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric troubles, a new study finds. Story
Botox decreases pain and intensity of spasticity following a stroke, according to study
May 2, 2007
A multi-center study shows that repeated treatments of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA or Botox®) over one year is well tolerated and results in a significant decrease in spasticity, pain frequency and average pain intensity in upper limbs following stroke. Story
Hydrotherapy, Tai Chi can ease osteoarthritis
May 2, 2007
Both water-based exercise and the Chinese exercise system Tai Chi can help older people with severe arthritis move and feel better, researchers from Australia report. Story
Literature review shows spinal manipulation beneficial for neck pain
May 1, 2007
A new literature review finds evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation, according to a March/April 2007 report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). Story
Green tea may ease rheumatoid arthritis
April 30, 2007
Green tea, already touted for its cardiovascular and anticancer benefits, may also help ease the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan Health System, in Ann Arbor. Story
Migraines linked with brain damage
April 30, 2007
People with migraines also may be suffering from some brain damage as brain cells swell and become starved of oxygen -- a finding that may help explain why migraine sufferers have a higher risk of stroke Story
Depression among retired NFL players: pain compounds symptoms
April 28, 2007
A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that retired professional football players experience levels of depressive symptoms similar to those of the general population, but the impact of these symptoms is compounded by high levels of chronic pain. Story
UCLA study shows Tai Chi may help alleviate tension headaches
April 27, 2007
Researchers found that Tai Chi provided significant health benefits for adults suffering from tension headaches. Compared with a control group, patients who participated in a 15-week Tai Chi program were helped not only with headache pain, but also perceived improvement in other areas, reporting increased energy, emotional well-being, social functioning and improved mental health. Story
Inflammatory bowel disease linked to nerve damage
April 25, 2007
People with inflammatory bowel disease may also be at risk for developing nerve damage and other neurological problems, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 May 5, 2007. Story
Migraine may protect against cognitive decline
April 24, 2007
Women with a lifetime history of migraine have less cognitive decline over time than women without migraine. It's possible, researchers suggest, that antimigraine medications, as well as diet and behavior changes, play a role in the apparent protective effect of migraine on cognition. Story
Migraines associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in men
April 24, 2007
Men with migraine headaches may be at an increased risk for major cardiovascular disease and especially heart attacks, according to a report in the April 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Story
Back pain linked to short-term memory deficits
April 24, 2007
Patients with chronic back pain have significant impairments in short-term prospective memory compared with people without pain, according to the findings reported in the February/March issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. Story
Adjustable chairs reduce shoulder and neck pain in garment workers
April 24, 2007
Adjustable-height chairs with ergonomically curved seats can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain in garment workers, according to a new study in the April 20 issue of Spine. The study shows that chair design affects neck and shoulder pain among garment workers -- and possibly in other laborers engaged in visually intensive manufacturing work, the researchers say. Story
Reiki shows no effect on neurologic diabetes pain
April 23, 2007
An alternative therapy, called Reiki, in which practitioners attempt to manipulate a field of energy surrounding the patient's body, is no more effective than a placebo version of the therapy in treating the neurological pain (neuropathy) that often develops in patients with diabetes, a new study shows. Story
Carpal tunnel syndrome eased for month or more by single injection
April 19, 2007
A single corticosteroid injection in the wrist can offer at least a month of relief to people suffering from severe carpal tunnel syndrome, according to an updated review of studies by Canadian researchers. Story
New survey shows most physicians believe diabetes patients are not receiving appropriate care for diabetic nerve pain
April 19, 2007
Results from a new survey of more than 600 physicians(i) who treat diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, or diabetic nerve pain, reveal that nearly all (97 percent) believe that the condition is often misdiagnosed. Overall, findings from the survey, sponsored by the National Pain Foundation (NPF) and Eli Lilly and Company suggest that more effective communication is needed to ensure proper care for diabetic nerve pain. Story
Dipyrone may treat headaches -- but use with caution
April 18, 2007
The controversial drug dipyrone can treat acute headaches, but patients should be warned of the risk of potentially serious blood disorders (or "dyscrasias"), concluded a Cochrane Review team. Furthermore, most of the studies used in reaching this conclusion involved intravenous infusions of the drug, making it expensive and complex to deliver. Story
UCSF launches study on treatment for prescription drug addiction
April 18, 2007
UCSF is launching a new study to evaluate treatments for addiction to prescription painkillers and has openings for patients to enroll. This is the first large-scale study to assess whether addiction to opioid painkillers, such as Vicodin and OxyContin, can effectively be treated with drug treatments currently used for heroin addiction. Story
Supplement [chondroitin] is called worthless for arthritis
April 17, 2007
A dietary supplement widely used for achy joints does little if anything to relieve arthritic pain, according to researchers who found that chondroitin is no more effective than a placebo. The Swiss researchers combined results from recent large-scale studies on chondroitin's effectiveness and say their results overshadow smaller, less rigorous studies that suggested a benefit. Story
Dr. Clauw's grand rounds update on fibromyalgia science & theory
April 16, 2007
Dr. Daniel J. Clauw, MD, has written an update for physicians on the evolving study of Fibromyalgia’s nature and treatment - in language that patients as well as their healthcare providers can understand. Story
Painful puzzle of UT ligament split tear in wrist solved by Mayo Clinic
April 14, 2007
A Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon has discovered a common cause of debilitating wrist pain - a split tear of the UT ligament - that can be reliably detected through a simple physical examination and can be fully repaired through an arthroscopically guided surgical procedure. The findings are published in the April issue of the American Journal of Hand Surgery. Story
Study says marijuana eases HIV-related pain
April 13, 2007
Smoking marijuana eases a type of chronic foot pain in people with the AIDS virus, according to a study published on Monday that the researchers touted as demonstrating marijuana’s medicinal benefits. Story
Acupuncture, massage helpful after cancer surgery
April 11, 2007
A combination of acupuncture and massage may help ease pain and depression symptoms after cancer surgery, a new study suggests.
Acupuncture has been shown in many studies to ease pain, and there's growing evidence that it helps quell post-surgery nausea. Massage, meanwhile, has been shown in certain studies to aid cancer patients' anxiety. Story
Pain may predict hysterectomy risk
April 10, 2007
A four-year study of 762 women found three independent predictors of a patient's chance of having a hysterectomy: a combination of symptoms, such as pelvic pain and bleeding, or fibroids with bleeding or pressure; a lack of symptom resolution despite treatment; and previous use of an gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, known as GNRH agonist. Story
Radiosurgery an effective noninvasive treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia-related pain
April 06, 2007
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, recently analyzed the efficacy of linear accelerator radiosurgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia over a 10-year period. Regardless of history, 68% of patients experienced excellent/good pain relief at a mean follow-up of 19.1 months. Story
Stereotactic radiosurgery a viable treatment option for select patients with painful metastatic spinal tumors
April 06, 2007
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital investigated whether high and focused doses of radiation could be used to treat the condition of spinal cord compression. The preliminary results show that radiosurgery may be considered as an alternative to surgery when patients with malignant spinal cord compression are ambulatory and especially when the tumor is radiosensitive. Story
Intrathecal baclofen therapy can provide improved quality of life for ALS patients with spasticity-related pain
April 06, 2007
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Cleveland Clinic explored the efficacy of treating ALS patients with intractable spasm-related pain with an intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump. Following ITB pump placement, the average pain score was 3.56 (range = 0 to 8), a reduction of 54 percent from preoperative scores. Story
Wedge enhances orthotic management of OA
April 2007
The functional benefits of foot orthoses for patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis may be enhanced with lateral wedging, according to a randomized controlled study from the University of Delaware. Story
Treatment of plantar fasciitis targets several fronts
April 2007
The study, science, and application of gait rehabilitation technology is a growing, evolving field. No longer constrained by traditional terminology, gait technology incorporates force plates, devices, three-dimensional analysis, biomechanics, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Story
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