The impact of anxiety on chronic musculoskeletal pain and the role of astrocyte activation.

Anxiety and depression are associated with increased pain responses in chronic pain states. The extent to which anxiety drives chronic pain, or vice versa, remains an important question that has implications for analgesic treatment strategies. Here, the effect of existing anxiety on future osteoarthritis (OA) pain was investigated, and potential mechanisms were studied in an animal model.

Traits associated with central pain augmentation in the Knee Pain In the Community (KPIC) cohort.

This study aimed to identify self-report correlates of central pain augmentation in individuals with knee pain. A subset of participants (n = 420) in the Knee Pain and related health In the Community (KPIC) baseline survey undertook pressure pain detection threshold (PPT) assessments. Items measuring specific traits related to central pain mechanisms were selected from the survey based on expert consensus, face validity, item association with underlying constructs measured by originating host questionnaires, adequate targeting, and PPT correlations.

The Falls In Care Home study: a feasibility randomized controlled trial of the use of a risk assessment and decision support tool to prevent falls in care homes.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the Guide to Action Care Home fall prevention intervention.

Design: Two-centre, cluster feasibility randomized controlled trial and process evaluation.

Setting: Purposive sample of six diverse old age/learning disability, long stay care homes in Nottinghamshire, UK.