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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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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.
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.
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.
Published by Lumina 26/10/2022.
