Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2570111
Alan Robert Bowman, Laura May Room
{"title":"Psychological flexibility and stigma in chronic pain: a cross-sectional study of healthcare professionals in the UK.","authors":"Alan Robert Bowman, Laura May Room","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2570111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2570111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>Healthcare professionals' attitudes toward chronic pain patients can contribute to stigma, affecting care and patient outcomes. This study examined whether psychological flexibility moderates the relationship between stigma vulnerability (i.e. patient characteristics that invite stigma) and enacted stigma (i.e. discriminatory behaviors) among healthcare professionals.</p><p><strong>Participants & methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study recruited 239 National Health Service (NHS) staff from six UK NHS Trusts. Participants were randomly assigned one of four vignettes manipulating patient stigma vulnerability (high vs. low) and gender. Enacted stigma outcomes (e.g. perceived deception, pain attribution) were assessed via Likert scales. Psychological flexibility and inflexibility were measured using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - Stigma (AAQ-S). Robust ANOVA tested main effects and moderation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Psychological flexibility did not significantly moderate the stigma vulnerability - enacted stigma relationship (<i>p ></i>0.05). However, higher psychological inflexibility was associated with greater enacted stigma, <i>U</i> = 3133, <i>p</i> = .017 suggesting its role in stigma-related behaviors. The AAQ-S flexibility and inflexibility subscales showed distinct associations with stigma outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Psychological inflexibility plays a role in stigma-related behaviors and may be a target for interventions to reduce healthcare provider bias in chronic pain care. Further research is needed to examine these mechanisms and their implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145252214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-07DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2571389
Francesco d'Amone, Ebonie Rio, Massimo Esposto, Charlotte Ganderton, Giacomo Rossettini, Matteo Cioeta
{"title":"What does Dr Google tell us about tendinopathies? An Italian analysis of online content.","authors":"Francesco d'Amone, Ebonie Rio, Massimo Esposto, Charlotte Ganderton, Giacomo Rossettini, Matteo Cioeta","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2571389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2571389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to identify the most frequently searched keywords and questions related to the Achilles, knee, shoulder, and elbow tendons in Italy. It further aimed to evaluate the credibility, readability, and content of the most visited web pages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semrush Inc. (2008) machine learning models were used for data mining in December 2024. Credibility and readability of the most visited web pages were assessed through the QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST) and Gulpease index, respectively. A content analysis of web pages was used to determine alignment with evidence-based literature.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most searched question was \"How to treat foot tendonitis?\" (2,750 searches). Only two web pages (2.2%) were rated as providing unbiased information using the QUEST, with credibility values ranging from 4.0 (±1.6) to 11.4 (±4.0) across all searches. Gulpease indices ranged from 34.0 (±2.1) to 42.8 (±2.9) across all web pages. Notably, content analysis revealed only a small percentage of web pages that aligned to best available evidence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Credibility, readability, and overall quality of online content on tendons were poor. Healthcare professionals may play a role in promoting accurate terminology and supporting the production of high-quality, evidence-based web page content to improve public health literacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145239433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-05DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2569299
Bárbara Ghizoni Maggi, Natan Lucca Lima, Luís Henrique Correa de Lara, Maria Júlia Hallack Moura, Davi Orli Machado Grüdtner, José Pedro Duarte Hillal
{"title":"Efficacy and safety of TNX-102 SL in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Bárbara Ghizoni Maggi, Natan Lucca Lima, Luís Henrique Correa de Lara, Maria Júlia Hallack Moura, Davi Orli Machado Grüdtner, José Pedro Duarte Hillal","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2569299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2569299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>TNX-102 SL is a new sublingual tablet formulation of cyclobenzaprine (CBP) for rapid transmucosal absorption. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TNX-102 SL in improving pain and sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The primary endpoint was the reduction in daily diary pain score. Secondary outcomes included Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R) Function and Symptoms, daily diary sleep score, and adverse effects. Four studies met eligibility criteria and a random-effect meta-analysis was performed to combine data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analyses of 1,993 patients yielded statistically significant differences in the TNX-102 SL group versus the control group on daily diary pain intensity (SMD = -0.25; 95% CI [-0.34, -0.16]; <i>p</i> < 0.001), FIQ-R Function (SMD = -0.18; 95% CI [-0.35, -0.02]; <i>p</i> = 0.028), FIQ-R Symptoms (SMD = -0.23; 95% CI [-0.33, -0.13]; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and sleep daily diary (SMD = -0.21; 95% CI [-0.32, -0.11]; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Sedation, oral hypoaesthesia, and paresthesia were TNX102-SL's most common adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pooled data show TNX-102 SL significantly reduces pain, improves sleep quality, and enhances quality of life in FM patients.</p><p><strong>Protocol registration: </strong>www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42024588069.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145233228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-04DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2570117
Ayla Nohemi Colmenarez Espinoza, Pâmela Maria Moreira, Filipe Teruo Yamada, Camila Pereira Meira, Luís Henrique Paladini, Ana Carolina Brandt de Macedo
{"title":"Immediate effects of two modes of shortwave diathermy in chronic low back pain: randomized controlled clinical trial.","authors":"Ayla Nohemi Colmenarez Espinoza, Pâmela Maria Moreira, Filipe Teruo Yamada, Camila Pereira Meira, Luís Henrique Paladini, Ana Carolina Brandt de Macedo","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2570117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2570117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>evaluate the immediate results of short-wave diathermy (SWD) in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>individuals with CLBP, aged between 18 and 80, of both sexes, were selected for a double-blind, 3-arm, randomized, and controlled trial. The outcomes assessed were: pain by Numeric Rating Scale for pain (NRS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT); disability; strength and power of lower limbs and flexibility of spine and lower limbs. The participants were randomized into three groups: continuous SWD (cSWD, <i>n</i> = 50), pulsed SWD (pSWD, <i>n</i> = 50), and placebo group (PG, <i>n</i> = 50). All groups received a single application of SWD for 30 mins and underwent assessment at three stages: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>we found a significant difference between cSWD and PG in NRS (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Only pSWD showed a significant intergroup difference with PG in sensory and total MPQ index (<i>p</i> < 0.05). There were improvements in intra-group disability in pSWD and PG, in flexibility only in cSWD, and the power of lower limb post-intervention only in pSWD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SWD endowed an immediate analgesic effect in individuals with CLBP.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>The www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2k58f5h/ identifier is RBR- 2k58f5h.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145228459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Factors associated with nonpharmacological treatment use among older adults with chronic low back pain tapering opioids.","authors":"Liang-Yuan Lin, Omkar Ghodke, Cynthia Siddiqua, Sonia Eden, Yi Yang, Kaustuv Bhattacharya","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2567839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2567839","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To examine multilevel factors associated with nonpharmacological treatment (NPT) use during opioid tapering among older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort study was conducted using 2012-2020 5% national Medicare data. Older adults ≥65 with cLBP who initiated long-term opioid therapy and experienced subsequent tapering were included. The primary outcome was the receipt of NPT within 90 days of tapering. Guided by the social ecological model, predictors were assessed across individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational levels. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations with NPT use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 10,811 eligible beneficiaries were identified. NPT use was more likely among Asian and female individuals, while those receiving partial low-income subsidies had lower odds. Residing in counties with more mental health providers and social associations was linked to higher NPT use. Prior NPT use, higher baseline opioid dose, rapid tapering, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, additional pain diagnoses, and higher comorbidity burden were associated with increased odds of NPT use.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study identified key factors affecting NPT use during opioid tapering among older adults with cLBP. Findings underscore the importance of targeted clinical and policy strategies to reduce disparities in NPT access.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-03DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2567833
Melissa Schwartz, Komal Luthra, Sophia Salingaros, Ahmed Khawer, Paulina Giacomelli, Ryan Roemmich, Pranamya Suri, Scott Benkovic, Akhil Chhatre
{"title":"Patient reported outcomes following genicular nerve radio frequency ablation for osteoarthritis-related knee pain.","authors":"Melissa Schwartz, Komal Luthra, Sophia Salingaros, Ahmed Khawer, Paulina Giacomelli, Ryan Roemmich, Pranamya Suri, Scott Benkovic, Akhil Chhatre","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2567833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2567833","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Genicular radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment for knee pain with variable outcomes reported. This study aimed to evaluate genicular RFA in reducing pain and identify predictors of treatment success.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> This retrospective study included 34 patients who underwent genicular RFA between April 2022 and December 2023. Data on demographics, pre- and post-procedure pain levels, and clinical variables were collected through chart reviews and follow-up surveys. The primary outcome was pain reduction at postoperative follow up. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify predictors of pain outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RFA led to pain reduction in 24 patients (71%), though only 9 (26%) achieved >50% relief according to IMMPACT criteria. The mean pre-procedure pain score was 7.1 ± 1.4, which decreased to 5.2 ± 2.0 post-procedure. Lower pre-procedure Numeric Rating Score (NRS) was the strongest predictor of success (P < 0.001), while age, BMI, gender, and arthritis severity did not significantly impact outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While genicular RFA led to pain reduction in a majority of patients, only a subset experienced clinically significant improvement. Pre-procedure pain score was a key predictor of outcomes, suggesting the need for more refined patient selection criteria and further research into optimizing treatment targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145213392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2539667
Judith Stauff, Sebastian Kintrup, Markus Ramm, Andreas Brünen, Simone Ulrich, Edward Malec, Katarzyna Januszewska, Julia Stegger, Kerstin Trociewicz, Antje Gottschalk, Alexander Schnabel
{"title":"Postoperative pain outcome following a superficial parasternal intercostal plane block in children undergoing pediatric heart surgery: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Judith Stauff, Sebastian Kintrup, Markus Ramm, Andreas Brünen, Simone Ulrich, Edward Malec, Katarzyna Januszewska, Julia Stegger, Kerstin Trociewicz, Antje Gottschalk, Alexander Schnabel","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2539667","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2539667","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aim of the present study was to investigate the postoperative pain outcome following the implementation of a superficial parasternal intercostal plane (SPIP) block in children undergoing cardiac surgery with a sternotomy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study in children undergoing extracardiac Fontan operation or a secundum atrial septal defect closure receiving a SPIP in addition to standard pain treatment versus standard pain treatment only. The primary outcome was the worst pain intensity within 24 hours (median (interquartile range)).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean age of the study groups (54 patients each) was 3.22 years (±0.95), respectively 4.26 years (±2.76) in the control group. There was no statistically significant reduction in worst pain intensity 24 hours after surgery in children treated with a SPIP block (3(1-5)) compared to control group (4(2-5)) (p1-tailed = 0.16, d = 0.19). However, 4 and 12 hours after surgery there were significant improvements in median pain intensity in children treated with a SPIP block (p1-tailed = 0.04).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study showed that implementation of a SPIP block might further improve postoperative pain management following cardiac surgery in children. However, due to lower baseline pain intensity in the control group primary outcome failed significantly. Therefore, further trials are urgently requested.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"685-691"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144732730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy and adverse effects of lower doses of ketorolac; a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Maryam Bahreini, Heewa Rashnavandi, Fatemeh Rasooli, Alireza Jalali, Rasoul Masoumi, Hadi Mirfazaelian","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2560293","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2560293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Ketorolac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is proposed to have a ceiling effect. We studied if ketorolac at lower doses was as effective and safe as the standard doses.</p><p><strong>Area covered: </strong>Randomized trials on different doses of ketorolac were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science from the inception date to 12 December 2024. The extent of change in pain, pain relief, need for rescue analgesia, reduction in patient opioid consumption, and adverse event rates were outcomes of interest. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion/commentary: </strong>In acute, postoperative, and cancer pain, there was no difference in the analgesic effect of lower doses of ketorolac in comparison to routine doses. In addition, the results did not show higher adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Protocol registration: </strong>www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42023480153.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"733-744"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145075870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2536998
Sahil Bade, Mark Friedrich B Hurdle, Sohail Bade, Sebastian Encalada, Sharima Kanahan-Osman, Sahil Gupta
{"title":"GLP-1 agonists: a game changer in pain treatment and addiction.","authors":"Sahil Bade, Mark Friedrich B Hurdle, Sohail Bade, Sebastian Encalada, Sharima Kanahan-Osman, Sahil Gupta","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2536998","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2536998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic pain imposes a significant healthcare burden, with treatments often limited by side effects, opioid dependency, and preventable surgeries. Emerging evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), developed for diabetes and obesity, may offer novel analgesia and treat drug-seeking behavior. This review examines the role of GLP-1RAs in pain management, focusing on inflammation, macrophage repolarization, oxidative stress, and dopaminergic pathways in substance use disorders. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Embase (Ovid) from January 2000 to February 2025, identifying studies on GLP-1RA and pain in headaches, osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and substance use disorders. GLP-1RAs offer a promising shift in pain management, potentially reducing opioid dependence, preventing surgical interventions, and lowering healthcare costs. While early evidence suggests analgesic and disease-modifying effects beyond weight loss, significant knowledge gaps remain. In osteoarthritis, they appear to reduce inflammation and cartilage degradation, but trials in non-obese, non-comorbid patients are needed. In diabetic neuropathy, GLP-1RAs show potential for nerve repair, but optimal dosing and long-term efficacy need clarification. Preclinical data support GLP-1RAs signaling in migraines, but human studies are lacking. Trials in alcohol addiction show promise, though evidence for other substances remains inconclusive. Larger-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"753-765"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144732729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pain managementPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-18DOI: 10.1080/17581869.2025.2549242
Giacomo Farì, Danilo Donati, Roberto Tedeschi, Scheila Bellito, Giuseppe Palaia, Marco Filipponi, Giuseppe Rollo, Francesco Quarta, Andrea Bernetti
{"title":"Medical management of musculoskeletal pain in professional wheelchair basketball players: an evidence-based guide.","authors":"Giacomo Farì, Danilo Donati, Roberto Tedeschi, Scheila Bellito, Giuseppe Palaia, Marco Filipponi, Giuseppe Rollo, Francesco Quarta, Andrea Bernetti","doi":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2549242","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17581869.2025.2549242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Wheelchair basketball (WB) has evolved from a recreational activity to an internationally recognized sport. It is useful in enhancing psychophysical well-being in athletes with disabilities. However, WB professional players' medical management, especially regarding musculoskeletal pain (MSP), poses unique challenges and the related scientific literature still seems fragmentary. An extensive review of the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases was performed to identify the available evidence regarding the medical management of WB players MSP. It emerges that WB players often face musculoskeletal injuries due to repetitive movements and game-specific actions. The management of these injuries requires a multidisciplinary approach. Firstly, the use of pharmacological treatments like Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) is common, though care must be taken to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. Then, preventive strategies, including tailored rehabilitation and strength conditioning, are essential. Moreover, the use of dietary supplements, while popular for enhancing recovery and performance, carries risks, particularly contamination with prohibited substances. Therefore, medical staff must exercise caution when recommending supplements. Finally, this review highlights that WB players' MSP management requires balancing effective treatment with adherence to anti-doping rules, limiting the use of traditional drugs where possible and improving the clinical application of non-pharmacological treatments, such as physical and rehabilitation medicine approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":20000,"journal":{"name":"Pain management","volume":" ","pages":"713-720"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144874577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}