European journal of pain : EJP
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Morphine is an effective analgesic for the treatment of severe pain, but it can cause itching in patients. In the present study, we examined the possible involvement of interleukin-31 (IL-31) receptor A (IL-31RA) on the morphine-induced itching and antinociception in mice. ⋯ Here, we demonstrate a possible common mediator of itching and antinociception of morphine, interleukin-31 (IL-31) receptor A (IL-31RA). IL-31RA may be a noteworthy target for considering the novel mechanism of itch and pain signalling affected by morphine.
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Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of pain neuroscience education for chronic low back pain: short- and long-term outcomes of pain and disability.
Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has shown promising ability in previous reviews to improve pain and disability in chronic low back pain (CLBP). This review aimed to evaluate randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of PNE on pain and disability in CLBP. ⋯ This review demonstrates moderate level evidence that the use of pain neuroscience education alongside physiotherapy interventions probably improves disability and pain in the short term in chronic low back pain. These results provide greater support for the addition of pain neuroscience education in routine physiotherapy practice in chronic low back pain.
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The link between humour and sense of humour with pain has been a topic of research for decades. The purpose of the present article was to review the different studies that have been conducted to date on the association between humour and sense of humour with pain. ⋯ This review summarizes all main findings regarding humour, sense of humour and pain up until the first half of 2018 and offers a list of aspects to be considered in further studies regarding the link of humour and pain to contribute to a more systematic research.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Static magnetic field exposure in 1.5 and 3 Tesla MR scanners does not influence pain and touch perception in healthy volunteers.
Magnetic field therapy is a popular approach to pain therapy, but scientific evidence on treatment effects or even effects on sensory and pain perception in healthy controls is scarce. ⋯ We used clinical MR scanners to investigate the effect of magnetic fields on pain perception. Using a rigorous, straightforward, placebo-controlled design, no effect of static magnetic fields on human experimental pain perception was detected. This provides a base for a more systematic investigation of magnetic field effects on pain.
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Alterations in the grey matter volume of several brain regions have been reported in people with chronic pain. The most consistent observation is a decrease in grey matter volume in the medial prefrontal cortex. These findings are important as the medial prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in emotional and cognitive processing in chronic pain. Although a logical cause of grey matter volume decrease may be neurodegeneration, this is not supported by the current evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to evaluate the existing literature to unravel what the decrease in medial prefrontal cortex grey matter volume in people with chronic pain may represent on a biochemical and cellular level. ⋯ It is unclear what the decrease in medial prefrontal cortex grey matter volume represents in chronic pain. The most attractive reason is neurodegeneration. However, there is no evidence to support this. Our review reveals nondegenerative causes of decreased medial prefrontal grey matter to guide future research into chronic pain pathophysiology.