When it comes to the topic of pain, we know that the lack of access to verified, evidence-based educational materials is a challenge for healthcare providers. We endeavor to mitigate this challenge by keeping healthcare providers abreast of the latest verified information and innovation in pain management. That is why we prepare fortnightly executive summaries of research papers relevant to pain management. You can access them all below or subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter to get them delivered straight to your inbox.
Recent advances and updates in TACs
By D.Y. Wei and P.J. Goadsby
The authors aimed to provide an overview of revised treatment options for cluster headaches, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks, paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua.
Thoracic spine pain and factors associated in high school students
By A. de Vitta, L.D. Campos, T. Bento, L.A. Felippe, N.M. Maciel, P. Perrucini
The authors aimed to determine the prevalence of thoracic spine pain (TSP) in adolescents and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, use of electronic devices, physical activity, and mental health.
Management of TACs including chronic cluster
By H. C. Diener, C. Tassorelli, and D. W. Dodick
The review focuses on the management of rare TACs, and summarizes the results from studies published in the last 20 years with a specific focus on research after 2018.
SPG block for the treatment of postdural puncture headache
By M. S. Jespersen, P. Jaeger, K. L. Ægidius, M. L. Fabritius, P. Duch, I. Rye, A. Afshari and C. S. Meyhoff
This paper aimed to investigate the effect of SPG block with local anesthetic compared with placebo on pain scores and rescue procedures in patients with PDPH, the primary outcome being pain intensity in the upright position 30 min after the block.
Pain Medicine Milestones 2.0: a step into the future
By A. Aggarwal, M. Barad, D. W. Braza, A. M. McKenzie-Brown, D. Lee, R. S. Mayer, R. Przkora, L. Kohan, A. Koka, and A. Szabova
This paper describes the process of revising the Pain Medicine Milestones 1.0 and implementing changes into the Pain Medicine Milestones 2.0 along with implications for pain medicine trainees.
Exploring new developments in cluster headache research
By E. A. D. Schindler and M. J. Burish
A review of the clinical, pathophysiologic, and therapeutic features of cluster headache (March 2022).
Taking a new look at psychedelics for pain relief
By N. I. Kooijman, T. Willegers, A. Reuser, W. M. Mulleners, C. Kramers, K. C.P. Vissers, and S. E. I. van der Wal
The authors review the current evidence on the effectiveness and therapeutic potential of psychedelics (LSD and psilocybin) in chronic pain management.
Primary headache disorders: Five new things
By P. J. Goadsby
Therapeutic advances offer patients reduced disability and healthcare providers a rewarding, key role in improving the lives of those with migraine and cluster headaches. Access the executive summary for Prof. Goadsby’s paper which presents a review of therapeutic advances between 2011 – 2019 for the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches targeting the serotonin 5-HT1F and CGRP receptors.
Sphenopalatine ganglion: block, radiofrequencyablation and neurostimulation
By K.W.D. Ho, R. Przkora, and S. Kumar
In this systematic review, the authors sought to systematically collect the evidence supporting the use of these SPG interventions in treating various painful conditions. They also summarized the level of evidence for each condition and intervention.
Embracing the versatility of SPG blockade techniques to treat pain
By M. Piagkou, T. Demesticha, T. Troupis, K. Vlasis, P. Skandalakis, A. Makri, A. Mazarakis, D. Lappas, G. Piagkos, and E. O. Johnson
The authors discuss the importance of the ganglion, nerve innervation, and how the pterygopalatine block techniques have evolved to treat various pain disorders.
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Turning the table on inflammation to treat disease
By Y. A. Levine, M. Faltys, and D. Chernoff
In this review article, the authors provide an overview of the discovery and function of the prototypical neuroimmune reflex — the “inflammatory reflex”.
Published by Lumina 07/06/2023.
A journey from diagnosing to treating myofascial pain
By I. Urits, K. Charipova, K. Gress, A. L. Schaaf, S. Gupta, H. C. Kiernan, P. E. Choi, J. Won Jung, E. Cornett, A.D. Kaye, and O. Viswanath.
A brief overview of myofascial pain syndrome, focusing on the development, treatment, and management of the condition.
Published by Lumina 24/05/2023.
Dorsal root ganglia: fibromyalgia pain factory?
By M. Martínez-Lavín
The article's main objective was to examine the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) pro-nociceptive anatomy, physiology, and immune competence, as well as to analyze recent clinical and experimental evidence linking DRG physiopathology to fibromyalgia pain.
Published by Lumina 10/05/2023.
Headache and Autonomic Dysfunction:a Review
By C. Iser and K. Arca
The authors discuss the pathophysiology of rare primary and secondary headaches in the mechanistic context of the central and peripheral autonomic nervous system.
Published by Lumina 26/04/2023.
Finding fibromyalgia biomarkers
by I. Rodriguez-Pintó, N. Agmon-Levin, A. Howard, and Y. Shoenfeld
A review of the current knowledge regarding the role of cytokines in fibromyalgia patients and their possible clinical relevance.
Published by Lumina 12/04/2023.
Vagus nerve stimulation relieves rare primary headache disorder pain
by M. D. Villar-Martinez and P. J. Goadsby
The authors discuss the mechanism of action of non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation, and its use with patients with hemicrania continua, paroxysmal hemicrania, cough headache, or short-lasting neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNCT/SUNA).
Published by Lumina 29/03/2023.
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Highlighting a gap in medical education — pain management
by J.D. Loeser and M.E. Schatman
Due to the lack of education and exposure to treating chronic pain disorders, physicians and pharmaceutical companies have pushed for the use of opioids for the alleviation of pain rather than addressing the source, prevention, and management of pain. This clinical feature editorial highlights the pitfall in medical education regarding pain management.
Published by Lumina 15/03/2023.
Evaluating PENFS for fibromyalgia using neuroimaging biomarkers
By A. Woodbury, L.C. Krishnamurthy, A. Bohsali, V. Krishnamurthy, J.L. Smith, M. Gebre, K. Tyler, M. Vernon, B. Crosson, J. P. Kalangara, V. Napadow, Jason W. Allen, and D. Harper
Percutaneous electric nerve stimulation alters cortical thickness in a pilot study of veterans with fibromyalgia.
Published by Lumina 01/03/2023.
Evolving understanding of the classification of fibromyalgia following surgery
By LA. Meka, D. Ji and A. Woodbury
The authors outline how fibromyalgia may be misdiagnosed in post-surgical patients and veterans that present with generalized forms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Published by Lumina 15/02/2023.
Shedding light on the term "refractory fibromyalgia"
By L.F. Vidal, O. Messina, T. Rodríguez, M. Vidal, C. Pineda, R. Morales, and A. Collado
In this paper, the authors aimed to raise awareness of the lack of consensus regarding the definition of refractory fibromyalgia.
Published by Lumina 01/02/2023.
Considerations for incorporating CAM into Western medical practices
By A. Woodbury, S. N. Soong, D. Fishman, and P. S. García
There is an increased demand for CAM to be integrated into conventional treatments to cater for patients’ emotional and physical well-being. The summary presents an overview of CAM therapies commonly encountered by anesthesiologists and pain management practitioners.
Published by Lumina 08/01/2023.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia
By R. Bennett and D. Nelson
Over the past 18 years, several chronic pain treatment programs have used CBT techniques in the management of fibromyalgia. In this review, the results from 13 programs using CBT, alone or in combination with other treatment modalities, are analyzed.
Published by Lumina 04/01/2023.
Working toward standardizing DVPRS
By R.C. Polomano, K.T. Galloway, M.L. Kent, H. Brandon-Edwards, K. Kwon, C. Morales, and C. Buckenmaier III
The study aimed to replicate the psychometric test for Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) 2.0, establish the reliability of a resemblance of measurement in ordering the sequence of new facial expressions denoting pain levels, and correlate pain intensity ratings with presentations of pain.
Published by Lumina 21/12/2022.
The Evolution of MOH: History, pathophysiology, and clinical update
By C. Sun‑Edelstein, A.M. Rapoport, W. Rattanawong, and A. Srikiatkhachorn
Most migraineurs who overuse medications develop an MOH with increased headache frequency, poor response to acute and preventative treatments, and more disability. The review outlines the progression of medication-overuse headaches, and the evolution of the diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.
Published by Lumina 07/12/2022.
Vagus nerve may be linked to disease
By M. De Couck, B. Mravec and Y. Gidron
This hypothesis paper proposes that the vagus nerve is a complex homeostatic system that operates via neurotransmitters to affect the risk factors associated with the progression of various diseases including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.
Published by Lumina 23/11/2022.
The diagnosis and management of chronic migraine in primary care
By W. J. Becker
Chronic migraine is common, affecting approximately 1% of the general population, and causes significant disability. Becker's paper aims to summarize the optimal involvement of primary care physicians in chronic migraine care, and to provide algorithms to assist them in the diagnosis and management of patients with chronic migraine.
Published by Lumina 09/11/2022.
