Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-10-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S547243
Qi Li, Xinyu Du, Donglin Zhao, Shuyang Zhang, Minqi Liu, Ning Ding, Yajie Li, Zheng Xing, Xiaolei Chu, Long Chen
{"title":"Virtual Reality Interventions for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neuropathic Pain: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Multidimensional Outcomes.","authors":"Qi Li, Xinyu Du, Donglin Zhao, Shuyang Zhang, Minqi Liu, Ning Ding, Yajie Li, Zheng Xing, Xiaolei Chu, Long Chen","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S547243","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S547243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Virtual reality (VR) technology represents a novel non-pharmacological intervention demonstrating unique advantages in treating neuropathic pain (NP) following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, systematic clinical guidelines for its application remain lacking.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To systematically sort out the application patterns of VR in SCI-NP treatment, elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action, evaluate its advantages and limitations, and provide evidence-based recommendations for SCI-NP rehabilitation practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following PRISMA scoping review protocols, we conducted a comprehensive search. Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, and Web of Science spanning from January 2005 to February 2025, using search terms including \"virtual reality\", \"VR\", \"virtual walking\", \"spinal cord injury/SCI\", \"neuropathic pain\", \"central pain\", \"neuralgia\", \"chronic pain\", and \"pain.\" Studies examining VR applications in SCI-NP, including experimental and clinical investigations, were included. Narrative synthesis was employed to summarize VR application characteristics and therapeutic outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 126 articles retrieved, we included 15 articles involving more than 400 participants. Research designs encompassed randomized controlled trials (n=8), clinical trials (n=2), pilot studies (n=2), feasibility studies (n=2), and exploratory study (n=1). Assessment parameters included pain intensity, pain characteristics, pain interference, emotional status, and immersion experience. Twelve of 15 studies reported significant improvements in neuropathic pain intensity, while most studies assessing pain characteristics, pain Interference, emotional status and intervention quality demonstrated positive effects. However, given the methodological constraints of most studies, such as limited sample sizes, incomplete assessment measures, and insufficient follow-up durations, the widespread use and long-term effectiveness of VR intervention still require further validation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Current evidence suggests VR technology may serve as an effective adjunct to, rather than replacement for, conventional treatment. Despite limited evidence, VR demonstrates promising analgesic efficacy and emotional enhancement potential in SCI-NP management. Critical knowledge gaps were identified regarding intervention modalities, treatment duration, and participant characteristics, providing recommendations for future research focusing on intervention protocol standardization, outcome measure harmonization, and mechanistic understanding advancement.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5175-5190"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145251672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-10-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S525200
Hojjatollah Farahani, Nataša Kovač, Helal Fardi, Peter Charles Watson
{"title":"Modelling Pain Perception Using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps.","authors":"Hojjatollah Farahani, Nataša Kovač, Helal Fardi, Peter Charles Watson","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S525200","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S525200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Perception of pain is a multifactorial mechanism involving physiological, psychological and social factors; only by understanding the interplays of these factors can we hope to develop effective management strategies for pain. To that effect, we developed a computational model using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) to simulate and predict individual pain experiences, based on expert input across multiple disciplines. This framework has potential application in individualized pain management, drug development and pain research.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>The Method of the study is an FCM model based on expert-sourced data for pain perception. A total of 20 experts were recruited using a snowball sampling technique, divided into five specialist groups: neurologists, pain specialists, psychologists, sociologists, and geneticists, with four experts in each group. The experts contributed input in CSV file format specifying concept associations and linguistic terms. Therefore, three types of data collection were used: questionnaires for capturing inter-factor interactions, fuzzy matrices measuring strengths of influences and interviewing in order to validate relationships. The data was then analyzed by summing up expert-defined causal relationships based on fuzzy logic rules, allowing for the construction of the initial weight matrix that reflects both the strength and direction of influence between concepts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The built FCM model integrates six significant concepts that influence pain perception: brain and neural basis of pain, psychological factors, social factors, individual differences, type of tissue damage and general pain perception. The model structure indicates strong reinforcing influences between psychological and neural factors, while social influences tend to inhibit perceived pain. Centrality analysis highlighted individual differences as a critical mediating node in the system. The model stabilized to an internally consistent fixed point under a variety of initial conditions, providing internal stability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that the FCM model provides a useful framework for representing interactions between pain and its influencing factors. The model was validated through expert consensus and scenario-based simulations. Future work will include empirical validation using standardized psychological instruments to compare FCM outcomes with real-world psychological profiles.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5153-5174"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502976/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145251651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-10-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S535444
Xiaojiang Zhao, Yongguo Zhu, Laiguo Han, Lei Zhang, Jun Chen, Hong Ding
{"title":"Bridging Pain and Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome: Mediating Effect of Handgrip Strength.","authors":"Xiaojiang Zhao, Yongguo Zhu, Laiguo Han, Lei Zhang, Jun Chen, Hong Ding","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S535444","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S535444","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a preclinical stage of dementia that strongly predicts future cognitive deterioration and dementia development. Although research has advanced in exploring MCR's epidemiological aspects, the association between pain, handgrip strength (HGS), and MCR remain insufficiently studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), restricted to participants aged ≥45 years. MCR cases were identified through self-reported cognitive complaints combined with objectively measured gait slowing, excluding subjects with existing dementia. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, we investigated associations between chronic pain, HGS, and MCR prevalence. Mediation analysis further assessed whether HGS mediated the pain-MCR relationship. Stratified analyses evaluated effect modification across key demographic strata.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This research encompassed a cohort of 4,795 individuals, displaying an average age of 67.3 ± 6.5 years, comprising 4,648 non-MCR and 147 MCR individuals. In the non-MCR group, 70.3% had no pain, 4.8% had one pain, and 25.3% had two or more pains. In the MCR group, 51% had no pain, 10.2% had one pain, and 38.8% had two or more pains (p < 0.001). The mean HGS was 29.1kg ± 9.0kg in the non-MCR group, significantly higher than the MCR group's 21.7kg ± 8.4kg (p < 0.001). Pain was positively associated with MCR, increasing its likelihood by 1.9 times per unit increase (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.29-2.80, p = 0.001). Conversely, HGS was negatively associated, reducing MCR likelihood by 9% per unit increase (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88-0.93, p < 0.001). HGS's indirect effect on the pain-MCR link was 2.58×10<sup>-3</sup> (p < 0.001), explaining 24.87% of the total effect variation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study found that pain is positively associated with MCR, while HGS is negatively associated with MCR, and HGS mediates the relationship between pain and MCR.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5141-5151"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12497374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145238531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-30eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S537227
Yan Zhang, Zelin He, Zikang Yin, Ji Wang, Wanyi Gao, Ligang Jie
{"title":"Effect of Exercise Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.","authors":"Yan Zhang, Zelin He, Zikang Yin, Ji Wang, Wanyi Gao, Ligang Jie","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S537227","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S537227","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the efficacy of various exercise modalities for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) employing a network meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search was conducted across eight databases-PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed-up to December 4, 2024, for randomized controlled trials on exercise for RA. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (RoB 2) assessed study quality. A network meta-analysis was performed utilizing Stata 17.0. Our study measured outcomes through mean differences (MD) accompanied by 95% credible intervals (CIs) to quantify effect sizes, while interventions were ranked using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability scores, and the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) software to evaluate evidence certainty.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 34 trials included 2,435 RA patients and 10 exercise interventions: walking or jogging, relaxation training, resistance exercise, Pilates, aerobic exercise, aerobic exercise + resistance exercise, yoga, traditional Chinese exercise, cycling, and Pilates + walking or jogging. The NMA results indicated that Pilates was the most effective for pain relief (VAS: MD = -2.17 cm, 95% CI: -3.77 to -2.57, SUCRA = 91.8%); aerobic exercise + resistance exercise was most effective for reducing morning stiffness duration (MD = -8.23 min, 95% CI: -9.06 to -7.39, SUCRA = 100.0%); and traditional Chinese exercise was most effective for improving disease activity (DAS28-ESR: MD = -0.68 scores, 95% CI: -1.04 to -0.32, SUCRA = 95.5%). Risk assessment showed 4 studies \"low\", 4 \"high\", and 26 \"some concern\" regarding bias. The CINeMA assessment indicated that most comparisons provided low or very low-quality evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exercise interventions are effective supplements for RA treatment, with specific exercises offering distinct benefits: Pilates for pain, aerobic exercise + resistance exercise for morning stiffness, traditional Chinese exercise for disease activity. Further high-quality studies are needed for validation.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5109-5126"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495934/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-30eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S529405
Abdallah Chahine, Christian-Joseph El Zouki, Kamel Jebreen, Iyad Ali, Sahar Obeid, Boutros Joseph El Tannoury, Rami Haroun, Jean-Claude Lahoud, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Souheil Hallit
{"title":"Validation of the Arabic Version of the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire.","authors":"Abdallah Chahine, Christian-Joseph El Zouki, Kamel Jebreen, Iyad Ali, Sahar Obeid, Boutros Joseph El Tannoury, Rami Haroun, Jean-Claude Lahoud, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Souheil Hallit","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S529405","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S529405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Fibromyalgia is a prevalent rheumatological condition that is marked by pervasive and widespread body discomfort. The diagnosis of Fibromyalgia can be challenging. For this reason, the American College of Rheumatology developed a scoring system, the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ). To address the lack of validated scales in the Arabic language for assessing fibromyalgia, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic-language version of the FSQ in two Arabic-speaking populations (Lebanon and Palestine).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Our study followed cross-sectional design. It was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025, within a period of five months, enrolling Lebanese and Palestinian adults. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions and scales including the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 1148 participants participated in this study, with a mean age of 29.11 ± 12.50 years and 66.90% females. Among them, 58 (5.05%) were identified as having a possible diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The fit indices of the FSQ and SSS scales were acceptable after adding correlations between items. Internal reliability was adequate for the total scale in the total sample, in Lebanese and Palestinian samples for both scales. Invariance was shown at the metric and scalar levels in terms of genders and countries for both scales. A significantly higher mean LOG WPI and LOG SSS was found in females compared to males. No significant difference was found between Lebanese and Palestinian participants in terms of WPI; however, Lebanese scored higher SSS scores compared to Palestinians. Higher WPI and SSS scores were significantly associated with higher anxiety, depression and insomnia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study supports the reliability and validity of the Arabic versions of the FSQ as robust measures for fibromyalgia. Adequate internal consistency, model fit, concurrent validity, and measurement invariance suggest that the Arabic scale is valid to utilize in both clinical and research settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5127-5140"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495913/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-30eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S543346
Xiaohong Wu, Sikang Li, Mengmeng Wu
{"title":"Advances in Electroacupuncture for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Directions.","authors":"Xiaohong Wu, Sikang Li, Mengmeng Wu","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S543346","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S543346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic degenerative joint disease marked by progressive cartilage loss, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation, resulting in persistent pain, functional disability, and diminished quality of life. Electroacupuncture (EA), a modality combining traditional acupuncture with electrical stimulation, has gained attention as a non-pharmacological intervention for KOA. Growing evidence suggests that EA not only reduces pain and enhances joint mobility but also modulates diverse biological processes-such as neuroendocrine signaling, inflammatory cascades, cartilage metabolism, and local hemodynamics. Mechanistically, EA acts through multi-target mechanisms, including suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, promotion of anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective factors, and regulation of critical signaling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin. Additionally, EA engages central and peripheral neuromodulatory systems involving opioid, serotonergic, and cannabinoid receptors, underpinning its analgesic properties. Despite encouraging outcomes, current support derives predominantly from small-scale clinical trials with short follow-up periods, underscoring the necessity for large-scale, randomized controlled studies with rigorous designs to establish standardized protocols and validate long-term benefits. This review synthesizes contemporary understanding of EA's mechanisms and efficacy in KOA management, addressing ongoing challenges and outlining future directions for refining EA-based strategies within integrated treatment frameworks.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5083-5108"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12495921/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145233014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-29eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S570195
{"title":"Erratum: Pericapsular Nerve Group Block for Hip Fracture Pain Management: A Narrative Review of Emergency Applications [Corrigendum].","authors":"","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S570195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S570195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S528497.].</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5081-5082"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12493828/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Developing Quality Indicators for the Pharmacological Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in Older Adult Inpatients: A RAND/UCLA Delphi Study.","authors":"Aljoscha Noël Goetschi, Nicole Schönenberger, Ursina Wernli, Carla Meyer-Massetti","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S533027","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S533027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a disabling condition affecting many older adult inpatients. While first-line therapy for CNCP consists of non-pharmacological approaches, many older adults receive pharmacotherapy nevertheless, putting them at a high risk of medication-related problems. Quality indicators (QIs) for the pharmacological management of CNCP could help reduce this risk. This Delphi study aimed to establish the face validity and feasibility of a list of previously developed QIs for the pharmacological management of CNCP in older adult inpatients.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>We followed the RAND/UCLA Delphi study methodology to establish an expert consensus on a list of proposed QIs. Over two written rounds, nursing, pharmacy and medical experts rated the face validity and feasibility of the QIs identified in a previous systematic literature search. QI ratings that were uncertain or disagreed upon after the first round were discussed in three expert focus group discussions. The QIs discussed were rated again in round two, and the most relevant QI in each category was prioritised.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-two experts agreed to participate in the study's deliberations. Nineteen experts (86%) returned their ratings in each written round, and 9 (41%) participated in the focus groups. They evaluated 61 proposed QIs, modified 11 of them and suggested 13 new ones. The final set consisted of 51 QIs, with the experts prioritising 23 different ones. The 51 QIs covered the categories of general pharmacotherapy and the appropriate use of opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol, metamizole and co-analgesics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Through consensus, we developed a first set of QIs for the pharmacological management of CNCP in older adult inpatients. This set will help standardise care, track and benchmark the quality of care, and be used as a trigger to prioritise patients for clinical or pharmacological interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5037-5056"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12487695/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145212982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-26eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S550012
Yifei Zhao, Le Shen, Yuguang Huang
{"title":"Low-Dose IL-2 Attenuates Neuropathic Pain via Treg Expansion in Rats.","authors":"Yifei Zhao, Le Shen, Yuguang Huang","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S550012","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S550012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neuropathic pain (NP) involves complex neuroimmune interactions. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been implicated in immune homeostasis, but their role in NP pathogenesis and therapeutic potential remains poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) on Treg populations and neuropathic pain behavior in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>CCI was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats, followed by daily intraperitoneal administration of low-dose IL-2 (5000 U/day) for three consecutive days, administered either three days prior to or following CCI. Pain behaviors were assessed by measuring mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency. Treg and T conventional (Tconv) cell subsets were quantified by flow cytometry in blood, spleen, dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and spinal cord. Functional markers (CD62L, ICOS) and serum IL-10 concentrations were also examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CCI increased T cell infiltration in the DRG, with limited endogenous Treg expansion. Low-dose IL-2 significantly elevated Treg proportions in blood, spleen, and DRG, without promoting Tconv expansion. In the DRG, IL-2-treated CCI rats showed a marked increase in Treg proportions, peaking at day 3 (20.73 ± 2.83% vs 6.74 ± 0.67% in controls) and remaining significantly elevated through day 21. IL-2 also enhanced Treg expression of ICOS and CD62L and increased serum IL-10 levels. Rats receiving IL-2 treatment demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical pain thresholds (61.53 ± 8.46% reduction) and thermal pain thresholds (52.74 ± 6.73% reduction) relative to controls on day 21. Preventive IL-2 injection (pre-CCI) was less effective than post-CCI administration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Low-dose IL-2 selectively augments functional Tregs and mitigates neuropathic pain through modulation of peripheral and neural immune responses. Further Treg-specific mechanistic validations are required to confirm its potential for translational clinical therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5011-5022"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145206670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of Pain ResearchPub Date : 2025-09-26eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S544011
Wei Wei, Liang Chen, Xiaomei Ying
{"title":"Desflurane Safety Revisited: A Pharmacovigilance Study Detecting Potential Safety Signals from FAERS Data.","authors":"Wei Wei, Liang Chen, Xiaomei Ying","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S544011","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S544011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Desflurane is a widely used volatile anesthetic with multiple clinical advantages, but comprehensive pharmacovigilance analyses are needed to optimize its safety profile. This study aimed to analyze and classify adverse events(AEs) associated with desflurane in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS) database and evaluate potential safety signals.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>We analyzed FAERS reports from 2004Q1 to 2025Q1 where desflurane was the primary suspect(PS) drug. Cases were classified using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA27.1) terminology and processed following FDA-recommended deduplication strategy. Four disproportionality analyses were conducted: Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1,191 cases, bradycardia was most frequent (n = 39; ROR = 38.72, 95% CI 28.14-53.28) with 79.4% classified as serious. Notable findings included anaphylactic shock (n = 23; 69.6% serious), bronchospasm (n = 22), and malignant hyperthermia(MH) (n = 20; 25% mortality). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 2) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (n = 2) were documented - a previously unreported association with desflurane exposure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our analysis reveals clinically significant safety signals associated with desflurane, including cardiovascular, anaphylactic, and respiratory complications that may require enhanced perioperative monitoring. The study underscores the critical importance of sustained post-marketing surveillance for detecting rare but serious safety signals, not typically evident in pre-approval clinical trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"5069-5080"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12484100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145212989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}