Article
Anesthesiology
Pramote Euasobhon, Raviwon Atisook, Kulsiri Bumrungchatudom, Nantthasorn Zinboonyahgoon, Nattha Saisavoey, Mark P. P. Jensen
Summary: This study examined the stability and validity of four commonly used pain intensity scales (VAS, VRS-6, NRS-11, FPS-R). The results showed that NRS-11 and VAS had better test-retest stability, and NRS-11 demonstrated the highest sensitivity. FPS-R could be considered as an alternative for individuals who may have difficulty understanding or using NRS-11.
Article
Anesthesiology
R. A. Moore, P. R. D. Clephas, S. Straube, M. M. Wertli, J. Ireson-Paige, M. Heesen
Summary: Assessment scales for pain intensity are crucial in evaluating postoperative pain. Our study determined the cut points between mild and moderate pain as 35 mm on a visual analogue scale, and between moderate and severe pain as 80 mm. We found that around 1 in 8 pain scores showed category disagreements, potentially leading to inaccurate pain reporting.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Matthew K. Bagg, Benedict M. Wand, Aidan G. Cashin, Hopin Lee, Markus Hubscher, Tasha R. Stanton, Neil E. O'Connell, Edel T. O'Hagan, Rodrigo R. N. Rizzo, Michael A. Wewege, Martin Rabey, Stephen Goodall, Sopany Saing, Serigne N. Lo, Hannu Luomajoki, Robert D. Herbert, Chris G. Maher, G. Lorimer Moseley, James H. McAuley
Summary: This study assessed the effect of graded sensorimotor retraining on pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain. The results showed that this intervention significantly improved pain intensity at 18 weeks. However, the improvements were small, and further research is needed to confirm the generalizability of the findings.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martha Cristina Melo Cruz, Maria Teresa Santeularia Verges, Carme Rius Llorens, Ignasi J. Gich Saladich, Elena Catala Puigbo
Summary: The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with low back pain in their first visit to the Pain Unit and identify factors that may affect their pain perception. The study found that mood disorders had the greatest impact on pain perception. Specialized treatment for low back pain should take into account the patient's profile, especially affective disorders and associated comorbidities.
Article
Anesthesiology
Satoshi Kasahara, Shin-Ichi Niwa, Ko Matsudaira, Naoko Sato, Hiroyuki Oka, Tomoko Fujii, Shin-ichi Konno, Shin-ichi Kikuchi, Yoshitsugu Yamada
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the positive rates of possible ADHD in patients with persistent CNLBP and found that these patients had significantly higher ADHD scale scores. The results also indicated a correlation between hyperactivity symptoms and pain intensity in patients with persistent CNLBP.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Raviwon Atisook, Pramote Euasobhon, Arunee Saengsanon, Mark P. Jensen
Summary: The study evaluated four commonly used measures of pain intensity in Thai patients with chronic pain, finding NRS-11 to be the most useful in the sample and suggesting that FPS-R might be most suitable for cross-cultural and international research based on comparisons with findings from other countries. Further research in developing countries is needed to assess the generalizability of the current findings.
JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinhan Park, Vinh Q. Q. Nguyen, Rachel L. M. Ho, Stephen A. A. Coombes
Summary: Chronic low back pain is associated with increased postural sway during quiet standing, especially when vision is removed and self-reported pain intensity is higher.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hallie Tankha, Mark A. Lumley, Alan Gordon, Howard Schubiner, Christie Uipi, James Harris, Tor D. Wager, Yoni K. Ashar
Summary: This article explores the mechanisms of a novel psychological treatment, pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), for chronic back pain. Through pain reappraisal, addressing the link between pain, emotions, and stress, and establishing social connections, the participants reported significant pain reduction or elimination with PRT.
Article
Neurosciences
Giorgia Varallo, Emanuele Maria Giusti, Federica Scarpina, Roberto Cattivelli, Paolo Capodaglio, Gianluca Castelnuovo
Summary: The study investigated the roles of kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing in chronic lower-back pain associated with obesity. The results indicated that kinesiophobia significantly explained pain intensity and pain-related disability.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastian Lukas Koenig, Michal Prusak, Sibylle Pramhas, Marita Windpassinger
Summary: The study found a significant correlation between PD-Q scores and NRS scores in chronic pain patients at baseline and 1-month follow-up visits. A significant proportion of chronic pain patients exhibited neuropathic features at their first visit to the outpatient clinic. The PD-Q is a useful screening tool for clinicians to identify NP that may require further diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic intervention, and may also help predict treatment response.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zeynab Alshelh, Ludovica Brusaferri, Atreyi Saha, Erin Morrissey, Paulina Knight, Minhae Kim, Yi Zhang, Jacob M. Hooker, Daniel Albrecht, Angel Torrado-Carvajal, Michael S. Placzek, Oluwaseun Akeju, Julie Price, Robert R. Edwards, Jeungchan Lee, Roberta Sclocco, Ciprian Catana, Vitaly Napadow, Marco L. Loggia
Summary: This study suggests that patients with different chronic pain conditions exhibit neuroinflammation, which is accompanied by neurophysiological changes and correlates with clinical presentation. These findings contribute to the subtyping of distinct pain syndromes and provide potential targets for precision medicine.
Article
Anesthesiology
Casper Glissmann Nim, Alice Kongsted, Aron Downie, Werner Vach
Summary: Low back pain (LBP) has different pain trajectories and self-reported visual pain trajectories (SRVTs) can support patient-provider communication. The temporal stability of SRVTs over 1 year is investigated regarding pain intensity and course patterns. Transitions between SRVTs are associated with changes in pain and disability. LBP phenotypes are relatively stable but with potential for change.
Article
Anesthesiology
Dana Vertsberger, Anat Talmon, Maisa Ziadni, Jiang-Ti Kong, Beth D. Darnall, Rachel Manber, Sean Mackey, James J. Gross
Summary: Chronic low back pain has a negative impact on daily functioning, and the study found that pain coping strategies can moderate this impact. Pain rumination strengthens the link between pain intensity and interference, while pain reappraisal and distraction weaken it.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sun Jae Won, Da-ye Kim, Jae Min Kim
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combination of platelet-rich plasma injection and prolotherapy is effective in relieving pain and improving function in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Platelet-rich plasma injection significantly reduces pain intensity compared to lidocaine injections at 6 months.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Florian Bailly, Stephane Genevay, Violaine Foltz, Amelie Bohm-Sigrand, Alain Zagala, Julien Nizard, Audrey Petit
Summary: The study found that during the COVID-19 lockdown, chronic LBP patients experienced worsened LBP, decreased physical activity, and increased sedentary behavior. A positive lockdown experience was associated with LBP improvement, while decreased physical activity was linked to worsening LBP.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Frauke Nees, Beate Ditzen, Herta Flor
Summary: The study found that the processing of pain in patients with chronic pain is influenced by spouse responses, with the impact being related to whether the spouse is solicitous or nonsolicitous. When a spouse provides care and reinforcement for the pain behaviors and expressions of the patient, the processing of pain in the frontal region of the brain is significantly enhanced.
Article
Anesthesiology
Andreas Goebel, David Andersson, Chris Barker, Neil Basu, Craig Bullock, Stuart Bevan, Rachael J. M. Bashford-Rogers, Ernest Choy, David Clauw, Debra Dulake, Richard Dulake, Herta Flor, Marcia Glanvill, Zsuzsanna Helyes, Sarosh Irani, Eva Kosek, Jennifer Laird, Gary MacFarlane, Hayley McCullough, Andrew Marshall, Robert Moots, Serge Perrot, Nick Shenker, Emanuele Sher, Claudia Sommer, Camilla Svensson, Amanda Williams, Geoff Wood, Emma R. Dorris
Summary: Through expert group consultation and consensus survey, high priority and medium level priority recommendations for fibromyalgia research were identified. These recommendations cover different aspects to be considered in future research, including study design, therapeutic interventions, etc. The ultimate goal is to expedite the application of research findings to clinical practice, benefiting patients with fibromyalgia.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Hunter R. Schone, Chris Baker, Joel Katz, Lone Nikolajsen, Katleho Limakatso, Herta Flor, Tamar R. Makin
Summary: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common experience for individuals who have undergone limb amputation, but its characteristics vary greatly. The lack of reliable data has made it challenging to understand the mechanisms of PLP and find effective treatments. However, recent research provides an opportunity to re-examine our assumptions about PLP and its treatments. This review aims to generate consensus on the best ways to study and treat PLP, addressing conceptual and methodological challenges and offering potential solutions. The hope is that a critical evaluation of foundational knowledge will lead to more informed decisions in testing interventions and guide the development of new PLP treatments.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Martin Diers, Bertram Krumm, Xaver Fuchs, Robin Bekrater-Bodmann, Christopher Milde, Joerg Trojan, Jens Foell, Susanne Becker, Gerhard Ruemenapf, Herta Flor
Summary: This study examined the prevalence of phantom limb pain in amputees and identified different factors associated with phantom limb pain and residual limb pain. Clinical/demographic variables and perceptual variables were found to be major contributors to phantom limb pain.
Article
Anesthesiology
Joachim Erlenwein, Martin Diers, Jennifer Ernst, Friederike Schulz, Frank Petzke
Summary: Phantom limb pain is common in amputees and is caused by the lack of sensory feedback and neuroplastic changes in the brain. Factors such as severe pain experience, sensitization mechanisms, and changes in body perception contribute to the development of chronic phantom limb pain. Psychosocial factors also play a role. Modern amputation medicine requires interdisciplinary collaboration.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Martin Diers, Xaver Fuchs, Robin Bekrater-Bodmann, Herta Flor
Summary: Phantom limb pain is rare in congenital amputees and those who had an early limb amputation, possibly due to reduced nociceptive input and adaptability of the somatosensory system.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna M. Zamorano, Boris Kleber, Federico Arguissain, Shellie Boudreau, Peter Vuust, Herta Flor, Thomas Graven -Nielsen
Summary: Repetitive movements are a major risk factor for musculoskeletal pain and can lead to brain plasticity changes. This study aimed to investigate the brain processing of prolonged muscle pain in musicians. The results showed that musicians had lower pain intensity compared to non-musicians, and higher training volume was associated with lower pain scores.
Article
Anesthesiology
Ana Maria Gonzalez-Roldan, Smadar Bustan, Sandra Kamping, Herta Flor, Fernand Anton
Summary: This study investigated whether experimentally induced pain-related suffering leads individuals to focus more on themselves and less on the external world. The results showed that experiencing prolonged and intense painful stimuli leads to attentional shifts towards oneself and reduced focus on others. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the social dynamics of pain and suffering.
Article
Neurosciences
Nathalie E. Holz, Mariam Zabihi, Seyed Mostafa Kia, Maximillian Monninger, Pascal-M. Aggensteiner, Sebastian Siehl, Dorothea L. Floris, Arun L. W. Bokde, Sylvane Desrivieres, Herta Flor, Antoine Grigis, Hugh H. Garavan, Penny N. Gowland, Andreas Heinz, Ruediger Bruehl, Jean-Luc Martinot, Marie-Laure Paillere Martinot, Dimitri Papadopoulos Orfanos, Tomas Paus, Luise K. Poustka, Juliane H. Froehner, Michael N. Smolka, Nilakshi Vaidya, Henrik Walter, Robert Whelan, Gunter H. Schumann, Andreas N. Meyer-Lindenberg, Daniel Brandeis, Jan K. Buitelaar, Frauke F. Nees, Christian Beckmann, IMAGEN Consortium, Tobias Banaschewski, Andre F. Marquand
Summary: In a longitudinal study, Holz et al. found that adversity leads to widespread structural brain changes. These changes were replicated in different cohorts and predicted anxiety in individuals. The study highlights the importance of considering individual-level factors in understanding the impact of adversity on brain structure and mental health.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Herta Flor, Koichi Noguchi, Rolf-Detlef Treede, Dennis C. Turk
Summary: The decades since the inauguration of the International Association for the Study of Pain have witnessed significant progress in pain research, including advancements in scientific concepts, new technologies, and approaches, which have positively influenced pain management and education.
Article
Psychiatry
Livia Cosentino, Stephanie H. Witt, Helene Dukal, Francesca Zidda, Sebastian Siehl, Herta Flor, Bianca De Filippis
Summary: Traumatic events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is more prevalent in women. Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) increase the risk of PTSD in adulthood. Epigenetic mechanisms, specifically a mutation in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) in mice, contribute to susceptibility to PTSD-like alterations, with sex-dependent biological signatures. This study investigated whether the elevated risk of PTSD associated with ACE exposure is accompanied by decreased levels of MECP2 in the blood of humans, and if sex plays a role. Results revealed that among trauma-exposed women, downregulation of MECP2 was associated with increased PTSD symptoms linked to ACE exposure. The findings suggest that MECP2 expression may play a role in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress, warranting further research on its potential sex-dependent role in the onset and progression of PTSD.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Mathematical
Stella Guldner, Nadine Lavan, Clare Lally, Lisa Wittmann, Frauke Nees, Herta Flor, Carolyn McGettigan
Summary: The voice is a variable and dynamic social tool with functional relevance for self-presentation. Intentional voice modulations can effectively evoke trait impressions in listeners, which can be recognized and influence social interactions.
PSYCHONOMIC BULLETIN & REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Biology
Deepti Mittal, Rebecca Mease, Thomas Kuner, Herta Flor, Rohini Kuner, Jamila Andoh
Summary: The importance of effective research data management (RDM) strategies grows with advancements in data acquisition techniques and research methods, especially in neuroscience. However, large-scale neuroscience research consortia face challenges in implementing a coherent RDM plan due to the diverse research strategies and requirements they encompass. This article presents a concrete RDM strategy implemented for the Heidelberg Collaborative Research Consortium, focusing on sustainable solutions that incentivize incremental RDM while respecting research-specific requirements.
Article
Rheumatology
Benjamin Mosch, Verena Hagena, Stephan Herpertz, Martin Diers
Summary: This study identified different types of brain morphometric changes in patients with fibromyalgia, including abnormalities in gray and white matter. These changes may affect areas related to sensory and affective pain processing. The study also found the influence of behavioral and clinical factors on structural changes.
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Neuroimaging
Benjamin Mosch, Verena Hagena, Stephan Herpertz, Michaela Ruttorf, Martin Diers
Summary: The perceived lack of control over pain experience is a major contributor to agony and impaired quality of life in chronic pain patients, such as fibromyalgia (FM). This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how perceived control affects pain perception and the underlying neural mechanisms. The results showed that FM patients failed to activate brain areas involved in pain modulation and reappraisal processes, and exhibited disrupted functional connectivity and decreased gray matter volumes compared to healthy controls. These findings provide evidence for extensive impairments in pain modulation in FM.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2023)
