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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Current treatments for chronic pain do not generally eliminate pain or restore function
June 24, 2011 Source: Medical News Today
The majority of patients with chronic pain do not get proper pain relief or the restoration of function from their current treatment, researchers recently revealed. As current treatment on their own do not appear to provide adequate relief from pain and improvements in physical and emotional functioning, the researchers believe future research should concentrate on combining different drugs, drugs with psychological therapy, as well as medications with somatic treatments.
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Clinical trial data demonstrating benefit of neuromodulation for chronic migraine
June 23, 2011 Source: St. Jude Medical
A new study on peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of the occipital nerve for the management of chronic migraine shows statistically significant improvement across multiple measures including a reduction in the number of headache days per month and improvement in quality of life. At 12 weeks, patients who received stimulation reported a 28-percent decrease in their number of headache days (seven less days a month) compared to the placebo group which reported a 4-percent decrease (one less day per month).
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Source of mystery pain uncovered
June 22, 2011 Source: Yale University
An estimated 20 million people in the United States suffer from peripheral neuropathy, marked by the degeneration of nerves and in some cases severe pain. There is no good treatment for the disorder and doctors can find no apparent cause in one of every three cases. Recently, an international team of scientists found that mutations of a single gene -- SCNA9 -- are linked to 30 percent of cases of unexplained neuropathy.
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Obesity and lack of exercise linked to chronic pain
June 20, 2011 Source: Reuters Health
A research team recently found that men who were exercising 2 hours or more per week at the start of the study were 25 percent less likely to have lower back pain 11 years later, and 20 percent less like to have neck or shoulder pain, compared men who didn't exercise at all. And women who exercised at least 2 hours per week were 8 percent less likely to develop lower back pain than women who were inactive, and 9 percent less likely to develop neck and shoulder pain.
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Can spinal manipulation help people with headaches?
June 17, 2011 Source: Headache
There is little evidence that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for headaches, according to a new study. While the majority of the studies they reviewed favor spinal manipulation, the authors argue that there is not enough evidence to prove that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment for headaches.
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Migraines eased after ginger and herb treatment
June 17, 2011 Source: Headache
Migraine sufferers treated with a homeopathic preparation of ginger and the herb feverfew may find some pain relief, according to a preliminary study. Forty five people took the homeopathic treatment and 15 took the placebo. About a third of those who took feverfew and ginger were pain-free after two hours, compared to only half as many in the placebo group. Overall, 63 percent of those taking the homeopathic preparation saw some pain relief.
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Gastric bypass alleviates migraine headaches
June 15, 2011 Source: American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can lead to total or partial alleviation of migraines in nearly 90 percent of morbidly obese patients diagnosed with migraine headaches, according to a new study.
Over an average follow-up of three years after gastric bypass surgery, more than 70 percent of patients never had another migraine. More than 18 percent had partial resolution, with migraine attacks dropping from five to two per month.
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LifeSource announces new study findings available on deaths related to prescription opioid therapy
June 15, 2011 Source: LifeSource
New information is now available regarding deaths related to prescription opioid therapy. Study findings on these deaths and how to understand the causes behind avoidable mortality in legitimately treated patients were released this week in a special supplement of Pain Medicine. Included are the findings of epidemiologists who examined medication-related harm, and a panel of pain medicine experts who reviewed the medical literature and state and federal government sources to assess frequency, demographics, and risk factors associated with overdose deaths.
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Immersion in virtual reality eases pain
June 13, 2011 Source: Reuters Life!
Distracting patients by immersing them in a virtual world, sometimes by using a video game, appears to help reduce pain -- even in elderly patients who aren't used to such exposure, according to a new study. Results showed a significant reduction in sensory, emotional, and cognitive pain components with virtual reality treatment.
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Patients with osteoarthritis supplement prescription pain medication with OTCs, UK
June 9, 2011 Source: Napp Pharmaceuticals Limited
New research has revealed a fifth of people with osteoarthritis (OA) supplement their prescription pain medication with over the counter medicines in an attempt to control their pain. To raise awareness of OA and the treatment options available, a pilot roadshow will take place in Norwich in June, and York and Preston in July. Nurses will provide private consultations for people with osteoarthritis and offer the latest information and educational leaflets.
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