Pain Management

Downward Trend in Buprenorphine Misuse From 2015 to 2019

From 2015 to 2019, the prevalence of buprenorphine misuse trended downward.

Recommendations for Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Use in Chronic Pain

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

These clinical practice guidelines summarize the evidence for the use of medical cannabis and cannabinoids in chronic pain.

Scientists Share Nobel Prize for Discoveries That Changed Pain Research

Two American researchers have been awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries that could help ease chronic and acute pain.

Intraoperative Acupuncture May Decrease Opioid Use After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Integrating intraoperative electroauricular acupuncture is feasible for minimizing postoperative opioid usage among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Psychological Treatment Provides Pain Relief for Chronic Back Pain

For patients with chronic back pain, psychological treatment may provide substantial and durable pain relief.

Decrease in All-Cause Mortality With Opioid Antagonist Treatment

Investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of opioid antagonist treatment on mortality.

Reducing Opioid Misuse After Surgery

The ASA suggests presurgical strategies to avoid postsurgical opioid reliance.

Urine Drug Tests Provide Actionable Data for Identifying Opioid Prescription Misuse in Chronic Pain

The utility of urine drug tests for identifying potential opioid prescription misuse was examined in this study.

Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, and Diclofenac Similarly Effective for Low Back Pain

The comparative efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for lower back pain was examined.

Low-Dose Naltrexone Designated Orphan Drug for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Anecdotal reports suggest that naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, may alleviate symptoms associated with CRPS.

Pain Management Skills Help Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

A single-session pain management class results in clinically significant improvements in pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, and pain interference among individuals with chronic low back pain.

Cannabidiol Relieves Burnout for Health Care Workers During Pandemic

During the pandemic, CBD therapy reduced symptoms of burnout and emotional exhaustion among health care professionals working with COVID-19 patients.

Acupuncture Safe, Effective for Pain Management After Total Knee Replacement

Data are lacking on the effectiveness of acupuncture in alleviating pain post total knee replacement.

Inconsistent Evidence to Support the Efficacy, Safety of Muscle Relaxants for Treatment of Low Back Pain

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, Neuroscience Research Australia investigators quantitatively analyzed 31 RCTs with a total of 6505 participants.

Review Highlights Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated With Acute and Chronic Opioid Use

This review explores the cardiovascular consequences of opioids and the contributions of off-target electrophysiologic properties to mortality, and provides practical safety recommendations.