Chronic pain is a battle millions of people face every day, often in silence and with few weapons at their disposal. But science is not giving up, and a new study on the Diadem device could be a game changer, offering new hope to those who have tried everything.
The invisible enemy: chronic pain
Imagine waking up every morning knowing that pain will be your faithful companion throughout the day. For about 1.5 billion adults worldwide (20% of the world’s population), this is a sad daily reality. Chronic pain, defined as pain that persists for more than three months, is a debilitating condition that can turn the simplest tasks into insurmountable challenges.
And that’s not all. For millions of these people, the pain is so intense that it severely limits their daily routine. It’s like living with an invisible anchor that’s always dragging you down, making every step a Herculean task.
New hope on the horizon: the Diadem system
A team of researchers recently published a study in the journal Pain (I put the link here) that could revolutionize the way we treat chronic pain. At the heart of this research is a device called Tiaraa biomedical innovation that uses ultrasound waves to combat pain.
Il Dr Jan Kubanekassistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Utah and co-author of the study, issues a “call to arms”:
If you or your loved ones are suffering from chronic pain that is not responding to treatment, please contact us; we need to recruit many participants before these treatments can be approved for the general public.
Chronic pain, a pathology that affects 20% of the world’s population. Image: Depositphotos.
How does the Tiara work?
The Diadem is a non-invasive device that uses ultrasound waves to treat chronic pain. Imagine being able to “turn off” pain like turning off a light switch: we’re not there yet, but the Diadem comes very close to that idea.
For the moment, the study involved 20 patients suffering from chronic pain. These brave volunteers participated in treatment sessions with either the Diadem or placebo stimulations. Each patient received two 40-minute sessions, followed by a one-week follow-up.
The results: a breakthrough in the fight against chronic pain
The results were surprising. 60% of patients receiving Diadem treatment reported improvement in pain management from the first day and after one week. In contrast, only 15% and 20% of patients receiving placebo treatment reported improvements on days 1 and 7, respectively.
These numbers may seem cold and distant, but behind every percentage is a person who has found relief, who, perhaps for the first time in years, has been able to enjoy a moment of respite from constant pain.
Beyond Opioids: A New Frontier
Dr. Kubanek adds, “With your help, we believe chronic pain can be effectively silenced. And with new pain treatment options, we can address the opioid crisis as well.”
These words underscore another crucial aspect of this research. Chronic pain is not only a matter of individual suffering, but also a public health problem. Opioid addiction, often started as a treatment for chronic pain, is a scourge that affects many societies. The Diadem could offer an alternative that is not only effective, but also safe.
The Future of Pain Treatment
This study opens the door to new possibilities in the treatment of chronic pain. Imagine a future where pain can be managed without the need for powerful drugs or invasive surgery. A future where the quality of life of millions of people can be dramatically improved by using a device no bigger than a smartphone.
Of course, we are only at the beginning. More research and more testing are needed before Diadem can be available to the general public. But every great journey begins with a small step, and this one seems to be a step in the right direction. A step without pain.
