Posts by: Ana Pena, PhD

Ana Pena, PhD

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for communication and discovery. As a science writer, her goal is to provide readers, in particular patients and healthcare providers, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in infectious diseases, epigenetics, and gene expression.

January 3, 2019January 3, 2019

Computer Model Identifies Four Main Classes of Fibromyalgia, Study Reports

News

A computer model identified four major classes of fibromyalgia on the basis of the pain and symptom severity felt by patients, the presence of specific coexisting conditions, and the use ... Read more

December 18, 2018December 18, 2018

Muscle Energy Technique May Help Ease Neck Muscle Weakness and Pain in Patients, Study Reports

News

Muscle energy technique, a type of manual therapy where the patient also actively participates, may help ease pain and weakness in neck muscles involved in breathing and reduce fatigue in ... Read more

December 13, 2018December 13, 2018

Smoking Raises Risk of Cognitive Problems, Depression in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Says

News

Smoking is a risk factor for worse cognitive function, symptom severity, quality of life, and increased depression and anxiety in patients with fibromyalgia, according to a study analyzing patient-reported outcomes. ... Read more

December 6, 2018December 6, 2018

PTSD, Depression Weaken Cardiovascular Response to Stress in Women with Fibromyalgia, Study Suggests

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The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women with fibromyalgia (FM) further weakens their cardiovascular response to stress, which seems to depend largely on the presence of depression symptoms, a ... Read more

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018

Patients Who Visit Healthcare Providers Often are Less Likely to Attempt Suicide, Study Indicates

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Fibromyalgia (FM) patients who spend more time in follow-up visits with their healthcare providers are less likely to attempt suicide or have suicidal thoughts, a large retrospective study suggests. The ... Read more

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018

Fibromyalgia Troubles Women with Past of Sexual Trauma in US Military and Abuse in Childhood, Small VA Study Finds

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Sexual trauma while serving in the U.S. military is high among female veterans with fibromyalgia, as is childhood trauma, and screening for such abuse may improve their care, a pilot study ... Read more

August 9, 2018August 9, 2018

Increased Pain Sensitivity Reflects Cognitive Difficulties in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Suggests

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Increased sensitivity to pain may be connected to cognitive problems that many fibromyalgia (FM) patients experience, according to a study linking pain perception with cognitive performance in the disease. Researchers ... Read more

August 7, 2018August 7, 2018

Self-reported Symptoms Can Detect Fibromyalgia in RA Patients, Study Finds

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Patient-reported joint tenderness and quality of life, the subjective components of the DAS28 disease activity score, are valuable in identifying fibromyalgia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Based on those two factors, ... Read more

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018

Exercise, Good Sleep, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Best Practices for Fibromyalgia Management, Study Suggests

News

Nonpharmacological approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, adequate sleep, and regular exercise, remain the most effective for the long-term management of fibromyalgia (FM), according to a recent review study. The report, “Fibromyalgia ... Read more

May 8, 2018May 8, 2018

Pain Reduces Accuracy of Body Perception in Fibromyalgia Patients, Study Suggests

News

Pain-associated emotions and reactions can reduce the ability of women with fibromyalgia to perceive what’s going on inside their body, according to researchers in France. Their findings add to our knowledge ... Read more