European journal of pain : EJP
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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are often reported by youths with chronic pain, and both ACEs and chronic pain disrupt how information is processed. However, it is unknown whether changes to shared neural networks underlie the relationship between ACEs and the development of pain symptoms. This study explored the relationships between ACEs, brain efficiency, and pain symptomology in youth. ⋯ This article explores the relationship between ACEs, pain symptomology, and brain efficiency in youth. ACEs may affect how the brain processes information, including pain. Youths with lower brain efficiencies that were exposed to more ACEs have pain symptomology comparable to youths with chronic pain. Understanding this relationship is important for the earlier identification of pain symptoms, particularly in vulnerable populations such as youths exposed to trauma, and is critical for preventing the chronification of pain.
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Opioids in step III of the WHO analgesic ladder are the standard of care for treating cancer pain. However, a significant minority of patients do not benefit from therapy. Genetics might play a role in predisposing patients to a good or poor response to opioids. Here, we investigated this issue by conducting a genome-wide association study (GWAS). ⋯ This genome-wide association study on European advanced cancer patients treated with opioids identifies novel regulatory variants on chromosome 20 (near PCMTD2 and OPRL1 genes) associated with pain intensity. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of opioid response, suggesting new potential markers for opioid efficacy. The study is a significant advancement in pharmacogenomics, providing a robust dataset and new insights into the genetic factors influencing pain intensity, which could lead to personalized cancer pain management.
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In Bayesian models including predictive processing, the magnitude and precision of pain expectancies are key determinants of perception. However, relatively few studies have directly tested whether this holds for pain, and results so far have been inconclusive. Here, we investigated expectancy effects on pain experiences and associated affective responses. ⋯ Our work supports, challenges, and extends the application of Bayesian and predictive processing frameworks to the influence of pain predictions on pain. Under- and overpredictions of pain yielded assimilation of pain experiences, but assimilation was not systematically stronger with larger prediction errors or greater precision. Moreover, under- and overpredictions resulted in disappointment and relief, respectively. This research signifies the importance of establishing accurate predictions of pain in clinical practice.
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Tactile-induced analgesia (TIA) is a phenomenon in which different types of tactile stimulation alleviate pain via different mechanisms including empathy. As TIA plays an essential role in therapeutic situations and clinical conditions, it is crucial to determine whether specific tactile stimulations confer distinct benefits. ⋯ This article explores the effectiveness of touch-based pain relief methods and their association with empathetic therapeutic interactions. The study emphasizes the significance of positive therapeutic interactions in facilitating tactile-induced analgesia.