Current Pain and Headache Reports最新文献

Purpose of review: Pain management following cardiac surgery is a critical component in optimizing both short- and long-term patient outcomes, with poor pain management associated with significant acute and chronic opioid use, opioid dependence and a significant rate of opioid related adverse drug events. The significant burden of both acute and chronic pain following cardiac surgery has given rise to the need for multimodel analgesic strategies, to optimize outcomes and minimize side effects.

Recent findings: While significant research has focused recently on the additive value of peripheral nerve blocks, less emphasis has been given to the value of non-opioid based analgesics in preference to traditional opioid based anesthetic and analgesic strategies. In this review, we examine the evidence for several common analgesics, highlighting the evidence supporting efficacy following cardiac surgery, as well as the safety concerns with each agent. We demonstrate the value of a multimodal analgesic strategy to reduce pain scores and improve patient-centered outcomes, and highlight the need for further studies of combination analgesic strategies.

Purpose of review: Patient-centred care (PCC) is deemed essential in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain. Integrating such care within a biopsychosocial framework, enables to address all facets of the individual pain experience, and to manage the individual instead of the condition. This narrative review describes the status quo of PCC physiotherapy management of people with headache within a biopsychosocial model. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus were searched (update 07.05.2024). The search-query comprised terminology relating to "headache", "patient-centred", "biopsychosocial", "physiotherapy". Additional eligibility criteria were reviews, trials, cohort, case report, case-control studies in English, Dutch, French.

Recent findings: Gaps are exposed in patient-centred physiotherapy management of migraine, tension-type headache, and cervicogenic headache. While a biopsychosocial approach is advised to manage migraine and tension-type headache, its use in clinical practice is not reflected by the literature. A biopsychosocial approach is not advised in cervicogenic headache. Psychosocial-lifestyle interventions are mainly delivered by health-care providers other than physiotherapists. Additionally, psychologically-informed practice is barely introduced in physiotherapy headache management. Though, managing the social context within a biopsychosocial framework is advised, the implementation by physiotherapists is unclear. Comparable conclusions apply to PCC. PCC is recommended for the physiotherapy management of primary and secondary headache. Such recommendation remains however theoretical, not reaching clinical implementation. Yet, a shift from the traditional disease-centred model of care towards PCC is ongoing and should be continued in physiotherapy management. With this implementation, clinical and economical studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness.

Purpose of review: To review existing literature on biomarkers for post-traumatic headache (PTH).

Recent findings: Preclinical models and clinical findings have started to elucidate the biology that underlies PTH. Traumatic brain injury results in ionic flux, glutamatergic surge, and activation of the trigeminal cervical complex resulting in the release of pain neuropeptides. These neuropeptides, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), play a key role in the pathophysiology of migraine and other primary headache disorders. Only two studies were identified that evaluated CGRP levels in PTH. Neither study found a consistent relationship between CGRP levels and PTH. One study did discover that nerve growth factor (NGF) was elevated in subjects with PTH. There is no conclusive evidence for reliable blood-based biomarkers for PTH. Limitations in assays, collection technique, and time since injury must be taken into account. There are multiple ideal candidates that have yet to be explored.

Background

Pharmacoacupuncture (PA) is an alternative injection therapy for a broad range of conditions. This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness and safety of PA in treating frozen shoulder (FS) and aims to standardise PA characteristics in clinical practice.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing PA for FS were systematically reviewed from seven electronic databases up to August 31, 2023. Outcomes measured included the visual analogue scale (VAS) or numerical rating scale (NRS), effective rate, Constant-Murley Score (CMS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), ROM, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3, with the risk of bias in each trial evaluated using Cochrane’s risk of bias tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool assessed the quality of evidence.

Results

Thirteen RCTs involving 1034 patients met the inclusion criteria, with eleven RCTs and 872 patients included in the meta-analysis. PA showed low-quality evidence of improvement in VAS, effective rate, CMS Total, and CMS Pain. Moderate-quality evidence indicated improvement in CMS ADL and CMS Mobility. PA was effective in four SF-36 subscales: physical function, social role function, mental health, and emotional role function. No significant difference in CMS strength was observed. One trial reported mild anaphylaxis reaction to bee venom as an adverse event.

Conclusion

PA may offer potential benefits as an alternative injection therapy for FS patients. Further well-designed RCTs with rigorous methodology are required to substantiate its therapeutic efficacy and clinical utility.

Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42023445708).

Purpose of review: This review aims to explore the interface between artificial intelligence (AI) and chronic pain, seeking to identify areas of focus for enhancing current treatments and yielding novel therapies.

Recent findings: In the United States, the prevalence of chronic pain is estimated to be upwards of 40%. Its impact extends to increased healthcare costs, reduced economic productivity, and strain on healthcare resources. Addressing this condition is particularly challenging due to its complexity and the significant variability in how patients respond to treatment. Current options often struggle to provide long-term relief, with their benefits rarely outweighing the risks, such as dependency or other side effects. Currently, AI has impacted four key areas of chronic pain treatment and research: (1) predicting outcomes based on clinical information; (2) extracting features from text, specifically clinical notes; (3) modeling 'omic data to identify meaningful patient subgroups with potential for personalized treatments and improved understanding of disease processes; and (4) disentangling complex neuronal signals responsible for pain, which current therapies attempt to modulate. As AI advances, leveraging state-of-the-art architectures will be essential for improving chronic pain treatment. Current efforts aim to extract meaningful representations from complex data, paving the way for personalized medicine. The identification of unique patient subgroups should reveal targets for tailored chronic pain treatments. Moreover, enhancing current treatment approaches is achievable by gaining a more profound understanding of patient physiology and responses. This can be realized by leveraging AI on the increasing volume of data linked to chronic pain.

Purpose of review: This paper reviews the complications of lumbar puncture with a focus on post-dural puncture headache including pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

Recent findings: Recent research has focused on understanding the multifactorial mechanisms of post-dural puncture headache and improving prevention and treatment strategies. Small caliber, pencil-point type needles are encouraged to minimize the risk of post-dural puncture headaches, especially in populations that are at higher risk for complication. While new medications and procedures show promise in small cohorts, conservative medical management and epidural blood patch are still the first and second-line treatments for PDPH. Post-dural puncture headache is the most frequent complication of lumbar puncture. There are both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors to consider when performing this procedure. Conservative medical management and procedure-based therapies exist for when complications of lumbar puncture arise.

Purpose of review: The present investigation evaluates clinical uses and roles of platelet rich plasma in the management of vetrebrogenic and discogenic mediated pain states.

Recent findings: Back pain is a common and significant condition that affects millions of people around the world. The cause of back pain is often complex and multifactorial, with discogenic and vertebrogenic pain being two subtypes of back pain. Currently, there are numerous methods and modalities in which back pain is managed and treated such as physical therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, pharmacotherapies, and platelet-rich plasma. To conduct this systematic review, the authors used the keywords "platelet-rich plasma", "vertebrogenic pain", and "discogenic pain", on PubMed, EuroPMC, Who ICTRP, and clinicaltrials.gov to better elucidate the role of this treatment method for combating vertebrogenic and discogenic back pain. In recent decades, there has been a rise in popularity of the use of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of numerous musculoskeletal conditions. Related to high concentration of platelets, growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, platelet-rich plasma is effective in reducing pain related symptoms and in the treatment of back pain. Platelet-rich plasma use has evolved and gained popularity for pain related conditions, including vertebrogenic and discogenic back pain. Additional well-designed studies are warranted in the future to better determine best practice strategies to provide future clinicians with a solid foundation of evidence to make advancements with regenerative medical therapies such as platelet-rich plasma.

Purpose of review: Migraine brings hours or even days of disability, affecting 15% of the US population and one billion people worldwide. Migraine treatments have improved over the years and there is now a range of non-pharmacologic therapies that can be administered as monotherapy, combined with pharmacologic therapy or combined with other non-pharmacologic therapies to give greater options for those who do not tolerate, do not respond to, or who wish to reduce or avoid pharmacologic treatments.

Recent findings: We conducted a review of the literature on auricular therapy as acute or preventive treatment for migraine, searching the databases of MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov from 2013 to 2023. A total of 43 articles contained at least one search term, with three studies specific to acute or prevention of migraine (one for acute only, one for prevention only and one for both acute and prevention). The population was limited to, adults with migraine ages 18 or older, with the administration of auricular therapy as the intervention. While there have been studies on the use of auricular therapy for pain on two specific standardized auricular therapies, Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) and National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), neither of these protocols were utilized in any of the studies specific to migraine management. Each of the three studies used different techniques, with one using acupuncture needles and five specific points and two using semi-permanent needles (remained in for a few days) that were placed in areas that showed high activity. Each of these studies showed auricular therapy to have benefit for the management of migraine. However, the authors of each of the studies recommended further studies. Auricular therapy may be a helpful adjunctive treatment to abort a current migraine attack or aid in reducing the frequency or severity of migraine attacks.

Purpose of review: This review aimed to investigate emerging evidence regarding the effectiveness of exercise for migraines, focusing on the results of recent trials. Additionally, it explored the possibility of exercise as a treatment for migraines.

Recent findings: Between 2020 and 2023, five, four, one, and two trials were conducted regarding the effect of aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, Tai Chi, and yoga, respectively, on migraine; all studies showed significant effects. Two trials on aerobic exercise showed that high-intensity exercise was similar to or slightly more effective than moderate-intensity exercise as a treatment for migraines. Three trials on anaerobic exercise reported its effectiveness in preventing migraines. Regarding efficacy, side effects, and health benefits, aerobic exercises and yoga are potentially beneficial strategies for the prevention of migraines. Further studies are needed to develop evidence-based exercise programs for the treatment of migraines.

Purpose of review: Acute facial pain presents a complex challenge in medical practice, requiring a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to its management. This narrative review explores the contemporary landscape of treating acute facial pain, delving into pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and advanced interventions. The significance of tailored treatment strategies, rooted in the diverse etiologies of facial pain, such as dental infections, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorders, sinusitis, or neurological conditions like migraines or cluster headaches, is underscored. We particularly emphasize recent advances in treating trigeminal neuralgia, elucidating current treatment concepts in managing this particular acute facial pain.

Recent findings: Recent research sheds light on various treatment modalities for acute facial pain. Pharmacotherapy ranges from traditional NSAIDs and analgesics to anticonvulsants and antidepressants. Non-pharmacological interventions, including physical therapy and psychological approaches, play pivotal roles. Advanced interventions, such as nerve blocks and surgical procedures, are considered in cases of treatment resistance. Moreover, we explore innovative technologies like neuromodulation techniques and personalized medicine, offering promising avenues for optimizing treatment outcomes in acute facial pain management. Modern management of acute facial pain requires a nuanced and patient-centric approach. Tailoring treatment strategies to the individual's underlying condition is paramount. While pharmacotherapy remains a cornerstone, the integration of non-pharmacological interventions is essential for comprehensive care. Advanced interventions should be reserved for cases where conservative measures prove inadequate. Furthermore, leveraging innovative technologies and personalized medicine holds promise for enhancing treatment efficacy. Ultimately, a holistic approach that considers the diverse needs of patients is crucial for effectively addressing acute facial pain.