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Pain is prevalent and a major source of disability after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a spinal cord injury (SCI). With a view of reducing the pain burden in neurotrauma, this study aimed to describe the use of pain management strategies and the adverse effects of opioids in patients with TBI and SCI. We collected data at hospital discharge (T1) and at 3 months post-injury (T2). A total of 70 patients, including 49 with TBI and 21 with SCI, with a mean age of 56 years (±21.1, ±17.9) were included. Almost a third of participants with TBI (33%) and SCI (29%) had a moderate average pain intensity at T1, and most experienced mild average pain intensity at T2. At T1, 80% of participants used opioids, whereas at T2, 26% of participants with TBI and 53% of those with SCI did. The main co-analgesic used was acetaminophen, with 78% and 17% for participants with TBI and 81% and 40% for participants with SCI at T1 and T2. The most common non-pharmacological strategy in participants with TBI was rest at T1 (45%) and T2 (32%), and comfortable positioning in participants with SCI at both timepoints (81% and 53%). The two most frequent adverse effects of opioids in both populations at T1 and T2 were drowsiness (35% vs. 43%; 10% vs. 13%) and constipation (27% vs. 38%; 7% vs. 20%). Opioids remain the most widely used pain management strategy in neurotrauma. Promoting a judicious use of opioids, combined with other strategies, could help patients with neurotrauma achieve adequate and safe pain relief.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/08977151251365585 | DOI Listing |
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
September 2025
From the Department of Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.
Background And Purpose: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) has been shown to modulate recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the longitudinal impact of LLLT on brain metabolites has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to use magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to assess the metabolic response of LLLT in patients with moderate TBI at acute (within 1 week), subacute (2-3 weeks), and late-subacute (3 months) recovery phases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
September 2025
Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and BU CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
We describe the rationale, methodology, and design of the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (BU ADRC) Clinical Core (CC). The CC characterizes a longitudinal cohort of participants with/without brain trauma to characterize the clinical presentation, biomarker profiles, and risk factors of post-traumatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD), including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Participants complete assessments of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and repetitive head impacts (RHIs); annual Uniform Data Set (UDS) and supplementary evaluations; digital phenotyping; annual blood draw; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture every 3 years; electroencephalogram (EEG); and amyloid and/or tau positron emission tomography (PET) on a subset.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurotrauma Rep
August 2025
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
The sports medicine community and society at large have recognized traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a major public health concern. It is estimated that more than 150 million youths have played football in the United States. As an alternative to blood, sweat is a potential source for protein biomarkers, providing a non-invasive method for objective measurements for head safety guidelines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurotrauma Rep
August 2025
Shepherd Center, Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Research on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and its impact on young adults is limited, despite this being an important time in their lives to work toward independence and career development. We analyzed data on 663 persons aged 17-29 years old with mTBI (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurotrauma Rep
August 2025
Population Health and Optimal Practices Research Unit (Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine), CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec City, Canada.
Pain is prevalent and a major source of disability after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a spinal cord injury (SCI). With a view of reducing the pain burden in neurotrauma, this study aimed to describe the use of pain management strategies and the adverse effects of opioids in patients with TBI and SCI. We collected data at hospital discharge (T1) and at 3 months post-injury (T2).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF