Pain Studies In The News

Behavioral treatment for migraines a cost-effective alternative to meds
July 6, 2011 Source: University of Mississippi Medical Center
Treating chronic migraines with behavioral approaches - such as relaxation training, hypnosis and biofeedback - can make financial sense compared to prescription-drug treatment, especially after a year or more, a new study found. The researchers found that after six months, the cost of minimal-contact behavioral treatment was competitive with pharmacologic treatments using drugs costing 50 cents or less a day.
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Botulinum toxin does not cure common forms of neck pain
July 6, 2011 Source: Wiley-Blackwell
There is no evidence that botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain or associated headaches, says a group of scientists who reviewed nine trials involving a total of 503 participants. The researchers also believe that trials should be run that look at other symptoms than pain, such as function, to see if there is any reason for believing that BoNT can provide some benefit.
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Massage eases low back pain in randomized controlled trial
July 5, 2011 Source: Group Health Research Institute
Massage therapy helps ease chronic low back pain and improve function, according to a new trial. The first study, which is the first to compare structural and relaxation (Swedish) massage, found that both types of massage worked well, with few side effects. At 10 weeks, more than one in three patients who received either type of massage -- but only one in 25 patients who got usual care -- said their back pain was much better or gone.
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10 More Pain Studies In The News

 Stories

Dentists' role in painkiller abuse examined
July 3, 2011 Source: Brown University
Dentists write the third-most prescriptions for immediate release opioids in the United States, but they often don't know the appropriate number of doses to prescribe, how many doses a patient uses, or most importantly what patients do with the leftover tablets they have. A group of nine dentists, pharmacists, and addiction experts provides new research and recommendations to help dentists combat, rather than contribute to, abuse of addictive painkillers.
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IOM report calls for cultural transformation of attitudes toward pain and its prevention and management
June 30, 2011 Source: National Academy of Sciences
Every year, at least 116 million adult Americans experience chronic pain, a condition that costs the nation between $560 billion and $635 billion annually, says a new report. Much of this pain is preventable or could be better managed, added the committee that wrote the report. It calls for coordinated, national efforts of public and private organizations to create a cultural transformation in how the nation understands and approaches pain management and prevention.
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6 More Pain Studies In The News

 For Your Patients

New resource for Hispanic Americans with pain
June 2011 Source: American Pain Foundation
American Pain Foundation (APF) launches "Explain Your Pain" initiative to educate and empower Hispanic Americans about chronic pain and foster improved dialogue between people with pain and their health care providers. An "Explain Your Pain" brochure, available in Spanish and English contains a convenient self-assessment worksheet for people with pain to track how their pain feels, where it hurts and when they hurt to help them communicate their pain to their health care provider. Learn more about the initiative.
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 Product News/Clinical Trial Results

Pfizer, Acura abuse-resistant painkiller gets FDA nod
Source: Reuters
Pfizer Inc and Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc said U.S. health regulators approved their pain drug, designed to combat the widespread abuse of opioid-based painkillers. The tablet, Oxecta, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain in cases where use of an opioid painkiller is suitable.
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FDA approves Lazanda® - first fentanyl nasal spray - for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients
July 1, 2011 Source: Archimedes Pharma Ltd.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Lazanda® (fentanyl) nasal spray for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients 18 years of age and older who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Lazanda is marketed as PecFent® (fentanyl pectin nasal spray) in Europe, where it is presently available in five countries.
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 Advocacy

Power of language — Communicate, empower and create change!
July 2011 Source: American Pain Foundation
Even though more than one in four Americans age 20 years and older report they have had a problem with pain, it is woefully misunderstood. People with pain are often viewed as physically and emotionally weak or labeled as attention seekers or addicts. July's Action of the Month is to use the power of language to combat these stereotypes and misconceptions! Review APF's Power of Language tip sheet and use it to guide the way you speak about your pain, the pain of your patients, or that of your loved one.
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