New strategies for the prevention of chronic pain using a combination of medication and ultrasound therapy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21221
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Ryo 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(保健学科), 客員研究員 (90908568)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 関節炎 / 超音波フォノフォレーシス / 低強度パルス超音波療法 / NSAIDs / マクロファージ / ラット / IL-1β / COX-2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined the biological effects of a combination program of NSAIDs and LIPUS (phonophoresis) on pain reduction and its biological effects in the early stage after the onset of knee arthritis using an animal model, with the aim of preventive strategies for chronic pain originating from nociceptive pain after tissue damage. We investigated the biological effects of the combination program of NSAIDs and LIPUS (phonophoresis) on pain reduction in the early period after the onset of knee arthritis using an animal model. The results showed that phonophoresis after the onset of knee arthritis was more effective in reducing pain than NSAIDs and LIPUS, suggesting that early reduction of synovitis, such as a decrease in the number of inflammatory macrophages, was involved in the biological mechanism of pain reduction. These results suggest that phonophoresis reduces pain early by suppressing inflammation in the affected area and contributes to the prevention of chronic pain.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

骨折をはじめとした外傷や各種外科術後における慢性疼痛の発生率は30％程度と高く，その予防マネジメント戦略の確立が急務となっている．本研究の成果は，国内外でもほとんど検証されていない薬物療法と物理療法のコンビネーションプログラムの有効性を示す基礎的知見であり，学術的意義は高いといえる．また，消化器疾患や腎疾患を併発しているために非ステロイド性抗炎症薬による十分な鎮痛効果が期待できない高齢者などを含めた幅広い患者に適用できる超音波フォノフォレーシス療法の有効性を示す基礎データであり，社会的意義も高いといえる．