Digital technology to support those with long-standing pain Researchers based at the Kolling Institute have
“We are now enrolling participants in a randomised control trial to test if the intervention leads to a greater reduction of their opioid dose.” You can join the study from anywhere in Australia where you have access to a phone network and the internet. If you would like to participate go to https:// www.support4pain.org/
launched a clinical trial using digital health technology to help those with chronic pain reduce their use of opioids. Chief investigator and leading pain specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital Professor Paul Glare said many people with chronic pain were using opioid medications long-term, but research showed that in many cases, these medications are doing more harm than good. “We know that reducing the use of opioids not only minimises harm, but also leads to improvements in pain and quality of life,” he said. Paul said many people who have been on long term opioids for pain find reducing their dose a daunting prospect, and unfortunately, many of them don’t have much social support either. As part of the clinical trial, participants will watch a video about pain and opioids and receive text messages, while their opioid medication dose is reduced under the supervision of the prescribing doctor. “The aim of this study is to see if we can provide more support via their mobile phone to make tapering easier,” he said. “The clinical trial follows a pilot study which showed that patients’ confidence to reduce their reliance on opioids improved when they received text messages. “It also found their pain reduced, and their mood and functioning was better.
Professor Paul Glare
269 million people to experience neck pain by 2050 New research led by investigators from the Kolling Institute has identified a concerning global trend which will see the burden of neck pain dramatically increase over the next 30 years.
“Concerningly, the projections indicate a 32 per cent increase in cases between 2020 and 2050, bringing the total number of cases of neck pain to 269 million,” he said. “This will lead to a tremendous burden on health systems across the globe, as well as a significant individual toll. “We know that neck pain has a considerable economic, social and personal cost, and we would like to see more effective interventions introduced on a large scale. “Currently, there is no gold standard diagnostic test for neck pain, no known pathophysiology and no universally effective treatment for it. “We need to shine a light on the condition and drive new technology, new assessments and new management options that are economically viable, effective and broadly available. “We hope that following this historic research there will be a renewed commitment to improving our understanding of the different causes and risk factors for neck pain.”
The research analysed data from more than 200 countries and measured the prevalence of neck pain from 1990 to 2020. It found 203 million people now experience neck pain across the globe, a figure which has remained stable over the last 30 years and not improved. More women than men live with neck pain, while the condition primarily affects people between 45 years and 74 years. Investigators say the evidence suggests a range of factors from muscle strains, work or sports related events through to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, car accidents, or neurological issues are contributing to the painful condition. Lead author and Kolling Institute Academic Director Professor James Elliott said the data points to a sharp rise in expected cases due to a rapidly ageing global population.
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 8| 03 MAY 2024
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