Hot Topics in Pain Management [August 2016]
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a currently accepted medical use."
*
F
or more information, visit
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article
/alex-grubbs/dea-declines-request-
reclassify-marijuana-citiing-its-high-
potential-abuse
NEUROSURGERY MAKES PAIN
MANAGEMENT CURRICULAR
BREAKTHROUGHS
Leaders in neurosurgery have
taken a hands-on approach to
training residents with an eye toward
filling knowledge and skill gaps—one
such gap is pain management.
*
For more information,
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/ama-
wire/post/neurosurgery-pain-
management-curricular-
breakthroughs
NEW RESEARCH ANALYSIS
INDICATES MASSAGE THERAPY
SHOWS PROMISE FOR PAIN &
ANXIETY IN CANCER PATIENTS
Based on the evidence, massage
therapy shows promise for reducing
pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and
anxiety in cancer populations
compared to the active comparators
evaluated in a new systematic
review.
*
For more information,
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-
releases/new-research-analysis-
indicates-massage-therapy-shows-
promise-for-pain--anxiety-in-cancer-
patients-300314735.html
RESISTANCE TRAINING MAY HELP
FIBROMYALGIA
People with fibromyalgia generally
complain of fatigue but a new study
shows resistance training may help.
*
For more information,
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Hea
lth-News/Fibromyalgia-resistance-
training-
fatigue/2016/08/12/id/743419/
SCIENTISTS TARGET BRAIN
CELLS TO ALLEVIATE
NEUROPATHIC PAIN
Scientists at Rutgers University
think that targeting brain cells that
are supposed to provide immunity,
but in some cases, do the opposite
may cause chronic pain that can last
a lifetime.
*
For more information,
http://nationalpainreport.com/scienti
sts-target-brain-cells-to-alleviate-
neuropathic-pain-8831186.html
VEXING QUESTION ON PATIENT
SURVEYS: DID WE EASE YOUR
PAIN?
The questionnaire arrives in the
mail a few days after a patient's
discharge from the hospital. Did
doctors treat you respectfully? Was
your bathroom kept clean? Most of
the queries seem mundane, but a
backlash has been growing against
one: Did staff members do
everything they could for your pain?
*
For more information,
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/
health/pain-treatment-hospitals-
emergency-rooms-surveys.html?_r=0
INSTEAD OF PAINKILLERS, SOME
DOCTORS ARE PRESCRIBING
VIRTUAL REALITY
Virtual reality therapy may be
medicine's newest frontier, as VR
devices become better and cheaper
*
For more information,
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/inn
ovation/instead-painkillers-some-
doctors-are-prescribing-virtual-
reality-
180959866/#Bwg8ktBAj9esZxut.99
SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR LINKED
TO CHRONIC PAIN IN CHILDREN
Cardiorespiratory fitness,
sedentary behavior, and low body fat
content have been linked to an
increased likelihood of numerous
pain conditions in prepubertal
children, according to research
p
ublished in the Journal of Pain.
*
For more information,
http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/pain-
management-information-
center/sedentary-behavior-linked-to-
chronic-pain-in-
children/article/514831/
CANCER PATIENTS SHOULDN'T
FEAR FENTANYL, A TRULY
USEFUL DRUG FOR SEVERE PAIN
Some drugs that are misused for
recreational purposes derive from
important therapeutics that were
originally developed to reduce pain
and suffering.
*
For more information,
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkro
ll/2016/07/31/cancer-patients-
shouldnt-fear-fentanyl-a-truly-useful-
drug-for-severe-pain/#75f46a4713aa
OPIOID-NAIVE PATIENTS AT LOW
RISK OF OPIOID RELIANCE AFTER
SURGERY
Most opioid-naive patients were
able to get off opioid medications
within 1 year following major
surgery, according to a new study.
*
For more information,
http://www.practicalpainmanagemen
t.com/resources/news-and-
research/opioid-naive-patients-low-
risk-opioid-reliance-after-surgery
PAIN LEVEL IS A PREDICTOR FOR
OPIOID ADDICTION
There are many known risk
factors for addiction. According to
new research, having moderate to
severe pain may be one of them.
*
For more information,
http://www.practicalpainmanagemen
t.com/resources/news-and-
research/pain-level-predictor-opioid-
addiction
NEWS & TRENDS