Smell and taste dissociations in the modulation of tonic pain perception induced by a capsaicin cream application

Abstract Scientific findings have indicated that psychological and social factors are the driving forces behind most chronic benign pain presentations, especially in a claim context, and are relevant to at least three of the AMA Guides publications: AMA Guides to Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation, AMA Guides to Work Ability and Return to Work, and AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. The author reviews and summarizes studies that have identified the dominant role of financial, psychological, and other non–general medicine factors in patients who report low back pain. For example, one meta-analysis found that compensation results in an increase in pain perception and a reduction in the ability to benefit from medical and psychological treatment. Other studies have found a correlation between the level of compensation and health outcomes (greater compensation is associated with worse outcomes), and legal systems that discourage compensation for pain produce better health outcomes. One study found that, among persons with carpal tunnel syndrome, claimants had worse outcomes than nonclaimants despite receiving more treatment; another examined the problematic relationship between complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and compensation and found that cases of CRPS are dominated by legal claims, a disparity that highlights the dominant role of compensation. Workers’ compensation claimants are almost never evaluated for personality disorders or mental illness. The article concludes with recommendations that evaluators can consider in individual cases.

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Reduction in Pain Sensitivity from Pharmacological Elevation of Blood Pressure in Persons with Chronically Low Blood Pressure

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803.23.3.104 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 104-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Stefan Duschek ◽

Heike Heiss ◽

Boriana Buechner ◽

Rainer Schandry

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Pain Threshold ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Drug Effects ◽

Pressure Effects ◽

Double Blind ◽

Low Blood Pressure ◽

Present Trial

Recent studies have revealed evidence for increased pain sensitivity in individuals with chronically low blood pressure. The present trial explored whether pain sensitivity can be reduced by pharmacological elevation of blood pressure. Effects of the sympathomimetic midodrine on threshold and tolerance to heat pain were examined in 52 hypotensive persons (mean blood pressure 96/61 mmHg) based on a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Heat stimuli were applied to the forearm via a contact thermode. Confounding of drug effects on pain perception with changes in skin temperature, temperature sensitivity, and mood were statistically controlled for. Compared to placebo, higher pain threshold and tolerance, increased blood pressure, as well as reduced heart rate were observed under the sympathomimetic condition. Increases in systolic blood pressure between points of measurement correlated positively with increases in pain threshold and tolerance, and decreases in heart rate were associated with increases in pain threshold. The findings underline the causal role of hypotension in the augmented pain sensitivity related to this condition. Pain reduction as a function of heart rate decrease suggests involvement of a baroreceptor-related mechanism in the pain attrition. The increased proneness of persons with chronic hypotension toward clinical pain is discussed.

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Interactive Effects of Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Pain Persistence on Suicide Attempt Frequency and Lethality

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000588 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 413-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Megan L. Rogers ◽

Thomas E. Joiner

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Pain Tolerance ◽

Self Report ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Physical Pain ◽

Affective Disturbance ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Acute suicidal affective disturbance (ASAD) has been proposed as a suicide-specific entity that confers risk for imminent suicidal behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests that ASAD is associated with suicidal behavior beyond a number of factors; however, no study to date has examined potential moderating variables. Aims: The present study tested the hypotheses that physical pain persistence would moderate the relationship between ASAD and (1) lifetime suicide attempts and (2) attempt lethality. Method: Students ( N = 167) with a history of suicidality completed self-report measures assessing the lifetime worst-point ASAD episode and the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt, a clinical interview about attempt lethality, and a physical pain tolerance task. Results: Physical pain persistence was a significant moderator of the association between ASAD and lifetime suicide attempts ( B = 0.00001, SE = 0.000004, p = .032), such that the relationship between ASAD and suicide attempts strengthened at increasing levels of pain persistence. The interaction between ASAD and pain persistence in relation to attempt lethality was nonsignificant ( B = 0.000004, SE = 0.00001, p = .765). Limitations: This study included a cross-sectional/retrospective analysis of worst-point ASAD symptoms, current physical pain perception, and lifetime suicide attempts. Conclusion: ASAD may confer risk for suicidal behavior most strongly at higher levels of pain persistence, whereas ASAD and pain perception do not influence attempt lethality.

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