Fibromyalgia
Magnetic brain stimulation could improve quality of life in fibromyalgia
Transcranial magnetic stimulation improves quality of life in people with fibromyalgia, but does not have any effect on pain, according to a small study published in Neurology.
A total of 38 people who had from fibromyalgia pain for more than six months were split into two groups. Half received high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (14 sessions over 10 weeks) and the other half had sham stimulation. Quality of life, pain, mood and anxiety were recorded at the start of the treatment and then at week 2 and week 11. The participants also had PET scans to assess any changes in their brains. Continue reading
Is laughter the best medicine? Cartoons could help people cope with chronic conditions
Cartoons could be a beneficial way of educating patients and empowering them to cope better with long term conditions, says research published in Health Services Research.
“Humour is frequently and naturally used by people with chronic illnesses to help them adjust and understand what is happening to them,” explains Associate Professor Dr Anne Kennedy, who led the study. “Our study has shown that cartoons could provide clarity to patients and be a way to engage with them. It is an untapped resource and could be a potential approach to support self-management.” Continue reading
Cytokine signature found in fibromyalgia points to immune dysfunction
Fibromyalgia is a complex and poorly understood chronic pain syndrome that affects about two million people in the UK. A team from the US set out to examine cytokine levels in women with fibromyalgia in an attempt to unravel the origins of the condition. Cytokines are tiny proteins that act as chemical messengers and affect immune responses, tissue repair and cell growth.
The scientists found that women with fibromyalgia had a marked reduction in cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which supports the role of inflammation in fibromyalgia and could lead to better diagnostic tools for doctors treating fibromyalgia. Continue reading
Herbal cannabis to treat arthritis? Not recommended.
The suitability of using herbal cannabis to treat arthritis and related conditions is under scrutiny due to the results of a Canadian report.
A group of researchers looked at the dosing, administration, efficacy and risks of herbal cannabis in pain management in people with arthritis in the 20 US states where it is legal. Continue reading
Vitamin D has important role in promoting healthy immune system
Older people who are deficient in vitamin D tend to have compromised immune function, says research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
While the association between vitamin D and bone health is well known, until now little research has looked at its impact on the immune system.
So scientists looked at 957 Irish adults who were older than 60 years and measured their vitamin D levels and inflammation markers (linked to rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease). Continue reading
