StanfordPain
@stanfordpain.bsky.social
Predicting, preventing, and alleviating pain—while reshaping how the world understands it. Follow for pro-patient insights and research that matters.
Clinicians should routinely screen older adults for sleep disturbances and consider CBT-I or appropriate referrals as part of comprehensive care for this population.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Clinicians should routinely screen older adults for sleep disturbances and consider CBT-I or appropriate referrals as part of comprehensive care for this population.
Notably, studies in populations with co-occurring chronic pain and insomnia demonstrate that CBT-I not only improves sleep outcomes but also can reduce pain intensity, says Dr. Samsuk Kim.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Notably, studies in populations with co-occurring chronic pain and insomnia demonstrate that CBT-I not only improves sleep outcomes but also can reduce pain intensity, says Dr. Samsuk Kim.
Effective interventions exist. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment and is supported by robust evidence.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Effective interventions exist. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment and is supported by robust evidence.
Insomnia, characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, affects over 50% of older adults and is associated with adverse outcomes including increased pain, reduced physical function, and heightened emotional distress.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Insomnia, characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, affects over 50% of older adults and is associated with adverse outcomes including increased pain, reduced physical function, and heightened emotional distress.
“These changes are a normal part of aging,” says Dr. Samsuk Kim. However, sleep disturbances also become more prevalent with age, with insomnia and sleep apnea being among the most common disorders.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“These changes are a normal part of aging,” says Dr. Samsuk Kim. However, sleep disturbances also become more prevalent with age, with insomnia and sleep apnea being among the most common disorders.
What is more common with fibromyalgia?
•Deep, lasting tiredness
•Brain fog (some call it “fibrofog”)
•Trouble sleeping
•Deep, lasting tiredness
•Brain fog (some call it “fibrofog”)
•Trouble sleeping
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
What is more common with fibromyalgia?
•Deep, lasting tiredness
•Brain fog (some call it “fibrofog”)
•Trouble sleeping
•Deep, lasting tiredness
•Brain fog (some call it “fibrofog”)
•Trouble sleeping
Thank you for sharing!
November 18, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Thank you for sharing!
Learn more about causes, diagnosis, and options: stan.md/490THGG
November 7, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Learn more about causes, diagnosis, and options: stan.md/490THGG
While historically diagnosed predominantly in women (80-90% of cases under older criteria), newer diagnostic approaches are identifying more men with the condition, suggesting previous gender disparities may have partly reflected diagnostic bias.
November 7, 2025 at 11:23 PM
While historically diagnosed predominantly in women (80-90% of cases under older criteria), newer diagnostic approaches are identifying more men with the condition, suggesting previous gender disparities may have partly reflected diagnostic bias.
That's such a tough position to be in. Have you found medications that work well for you yet?
November 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
That's such a tough position to be in. Have you found medications that work well for you yet?
Acknowledgements
•Title: Digital twin learning health systems and multimodal biomarkers transform pain care
•Publication: PAIN, 50th Anniversary Supplement
•Authors: Sean Mackey, Beth Darnall, Ming-Chih Kao
•DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003779
•PMID: 41086340
•Title: Digital twin learning health systems and multimodal biomarkers transform pain care
•Publication: PAIN, 50th Anniversary Supplement
•Authors: Sean Mackey, Beth Darnall, Ming-Chih Kao
•DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003779
•PMID: 41086340
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Acknowledgements
•Title: Digital twin learning health systems and multimodal biomarkers transform pain care
•Publication: PAIN, 50th Anniversary Supplement
•Authors: Sean Mackey, Beth Darnall, Ming-Chih Kao
•DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003779
•PMID: 41086340
•Title: Digital twin learning health systems and multimodal biomarkers transform pain care
•Publication: PAIN, 50th Anniversary Supplement
•Authors: Sean Mackey, Beth Darnall, Ming-Chih Kao
•DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003779
•PMID: 41086340
The idea is that combining digital twins with learning health systems could give every patient personalized, precise pain care that adapts in real time and improves continuously.
What do you think about the approach?
What do you think about the approach?
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The idea is that combining digital twins with learning health systems could give every patient personalized, precise pain care that adapts in real time and improves continuously.
What do you think about the approach?
What do you think about the approach?
Stanford’s CHOIR platform already does this by tracking patient-reported outcomes, wearables, and other health data to guide treatment and monitor outcomes.
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Stanford’s CHOIR platform already does this by tracking patient-reported outcomes, wearables, and other health data to guide treatment and monitor outcomes.
The twins live inside learning health systems, which collect information from many patients and use it to update care and improve treatment over time.
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The twins live inside learning health systems, which collect information from many patients and use it to update care and improve treatment over time.
The twin can forecast changes in your pain and test treatments on the computer before trying them in real life.
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The twin can forecast changes in your pain and test treatments on the computer before trying them in real life.
Doctors mostly treat pain patients the same way, even though everyone experiences pain differently. Stanford researchers are building digital twins, a computer model of a real person that learns from their data—like heart rate, sleep, lab tests, and reports about their pain.
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Doctors mostly treat pain patients the same way, even though everyone experiences pain differently. Stanford researchers are building digital twins, a computer model of a real person that learns from their data—like heart rate, sleep, lab tests, and reports about their pain.
Understanding the difference helps you respond appropriately to pain and avoid unnecessary fear or inactivity.
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Understanding the difference helps you respond appropriately to pain and avoid unnecessary fear or inactivity.
Harm = pain that signals actual injury. Think: twisting your ankle so badly you tear a ligament. Your body needs a break, and treatment may be needed.
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Harm = pain that signals actual injury. Think: twisting your ankle so badly you tear a ligament. Your body needs a break, and treatment may be needed.
Hurt = pain without lasting damage. Think: you’ve got a Morton’s neuroma in your foot, it stings when you walk or play tennis, but it’s not causing long-term harm. Pain that is not causing harm does not need to be avoided.
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Hurt = pain without lasting damage. Think: you’ve got a Morton’s neuroma in your foot, it stings when you walk or play tennis, but it’s not causing long-term harm. Pain that is not causing harm does not need to be avoided.