Intrinsic Network Activity Reflects the Fluctuating Experience of Tonic Pain

Although we know sensation is continuous, research on long-lasting and continuously changing stimuli is scarce and the dynamic nature of ongoing cortical processing is largely neglected. In a longitudinal study with 152 fMRI sessions, participants were asked to continuously rate the intensity of applied tonic heat pain for 20 minutes. Using group independent component analysis and dual-regression, we extracted the subjects' time courses of intrinsic network activity. The relationship between the dynamic fluctuation of network activity with the varying time courses of three pain processing entities was computed: pain intensity, the direction of pain intensity changes and temperature. We were able to dissociate the spatio-temporal patterns of objective (temperature) and subjective (pain intensity/changes of pain intensity) aspects of pain processing in the human brain. We found two somatosensory networks with distinct functions: one network which encodes the small fluctuations in temperature and consists mainly of bilateral SI. A second right-lateralised network that encodes the intensity of the subjective experience of pain consists of SI, SII, the PCC, and the thalamus. We revealed the somatosensory dynamics that build up towards a current subjective percept of pain. The timing suggests a cascade of subsequent processing steps towards the current pain percept.

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Dispositional and situational personal features and acute post-collision head and neck pain: Double mediation of pain catastrophizing and pain sensitivity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0262076 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. e0262076

Author(s):

Michal Granot ◽

Einav Srulovici ◽

Yelena Granovsky ◽

David Yarnitsky ◽

Pora Kuperman

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Acute Pain ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Pain Catastrophizing ◽

Pain Processing ◽

Emotional Status ◽

The Relationship ◽

Sem Analyses

Pain variability can be partially attributed to psycho-cognitive features involved in its processing. However, accumulating research suggests that simple linear correlation between situational and dispositional factors may not be sufficiently explanatory, with some positing a role for mediating influences. In addition, acute pain processing studies generally focus on a post-operative model with less attention provided to post-traumatic injury. As such, this study aimed to investigate a more comprehensive pain processing model that included direct and indirect associations between acute pain intensity in the head and neck, pain catastrophizing (using pain catastrophizing scale (PCS)), and pain sensitivity (using the pain sensitivity questionnaire (PSQ)), among 239 patients with post-motor vehicle collision pain. The effect of personality traits (using Ten Items Personality Inventory (TIPI)) and emotional status (using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)) on that model was examined as well. To this end, three Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses were conducted. Overall, the data had good fit to all the models, with only PSQ found to have a direct correlation with acute pain intensity. The SEM analyses conversely revealed several mediations. Specifically, that: first, PSQ fully mediated the relationship between PCS and pain intensity; second, PCS and PSQ together fully mediated the relationship between conscientiousness (personality trait) and pain intensity; and finally, emotional status had direct and indirect links with PSQ and pain intensity. In conclusion, these models suggest that during the acute post-collision phase, pain sensitivity intermediates between emotional states and personality traits, partially via elevated pain catastrophizing thoughts.

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Sex Differences of Periaqueductal Grey Matter Functional Connectivity in Migraine

Frontiers in Pain Research ◽

10.3389/fpain.2021.767162 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Kinga Gecse ◽

Daniel Baksa ◽

Dóra Dobos ◽

Csaba Sandor Aranyi ◽

Attila Galambos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Functional Connectivity ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Resting State ◽

Emotional Processing ◽

Grey Matter ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Pain Processing ◽

Periaqueductal Grey ◽

Periaqueductal Grey Matter

The existence of “sex phenotype” in migraine is a long-standing scientific question. Fluctuations of female sex hormones contribute to migraine attacks, and women also have enhanced brain activity during emotional processing and their functional brain networks seem to be more vulnerable to migraine-induced disruption compared to men. Periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) is a core region of pain processing and modulation networks with possible sex-related implications in migraine. In our study, sex differences of PAG functional resting-state connectivity were investigated in the interictal state in 32 episodic migraines without aura patients (16 women and 16 men). A significant main effect of sex was detected in PAG connectivity with postcentral, precentral, and inferior parietal gyri, and further differences were found between right PAG and visual areas (superior occipital gyrus, calcarine, and cuneus), supplementary motor area, and mid-cingulum connectivity. In all cases, PAG functional connectivity was stronger in female migraineurs compared to males. However, higher average pain intensity of migraine attacks correlated with stronger connectivity of PAG and middle temporal, superior occipital, and parietal gyri in male migraineurs compared to females. Migraine-related disability is also associated with PAG connectivity but without sex differences. Our results indicate that sex differences in PAG connectivity with brain regions involved in sensory and emotional aspects of pain might contribute to the “sex-phenotype” in migraine. The stronger functional connectivity between PAG and pain processing areas may be a sign of increased excitability of pain pathways even in resting-state in females compared to male migraineurs, which could contribute to female vulnerability for migraine. However, pain intensity experienced by male migraineurs correlated with increased connectivity between PAG and regions involved in the subjective experience of pain and pain-related unpleasantness. The demonstrated sex differences of PAG functional connectivity may support the notion that the female and male brain is differently affected by migraine.

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Circle therapy for headache management: case studies

Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care ◽

10.35975/apic.v24i1.1232 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 101-104

Author(s):

Muhammad Rafiq

Keyword(s):

Pain Intensity ◽

Case Studies ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Psychological Pain ◽

Current Case ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Subjective Pain ◽

Headache Management ◽

Test Use ◽

Pain Rating Scale

Recent findings have indicated that hypnotic interventions produce significant decrease in pain intensity. This current case studies are focused to highlight significant impact on pain management including headache. All the patients underwent a complete observation and clinical interview and only patients with psychological pain were included in the study group. For the management of headache, a novel hypnotic intervention - Circle Therapy (CT), was applied on a group of ten patients indicating their pain intensity in the range of 8-10 on subjective pain rating scale. According to rating scale, headache above 8 was considered as severe, 5-8 moderate and < 5 as mild. CT is a brief hypnotic technique limited to about 10 min. Post hypnosis ratings were also measured. The pre and post hypnosis data were recorded and analyzed by paired samples t test. Use of CT showed significant results between pre and post rating e.g. 9 ± 0.25 vs. 1 ± 0.21 (p < 0.001). This brief CT intervention provided an immediate relief from headache, however, this is limited to few case studies focusing on just headache. So, we recommend large sample studies to document the effects of CT in different types of pain. Citation: Rafiq M. Circle therapy for headache management: case studies. Anaesth pain intensive care 2020;24(1):__ DOI: https://doi.org/10.35975/apic.v24i1. Received – 28 December 2019; Reviewed – 10 January 2020; Accepted - 10 January 2020;

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Peripheral arterial stiffness during electrocutaneous stimulation is positively correlated with pain-related brain activity and subjective pain intensity: an fMRI study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-83833-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Toshio Tsuji ◽

Fumiya Arikuni ◽

Takafumi Sasaoka ◽

Shin Suyama ◽

Takashi Akiyoshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Electrocutaneous Stimulation ◽

Pain Matrix ◽

Fmri Study ◽

Subjective Pain ◽

Peripheral Arterial

AbstractBrain activity associated with pain perception has been revealed by numerous PET and fMRI studies over the past few decades. These findings helped to establish the concept of the pain matrix, which is the distributed brain networks that demonstrate pain-specific cortical activities. We previously found that peripheral arterial stiffness $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art responds to pain intensity, which is estimated from electrocardiography, continuous sphygmomanometer, and photo-plethysmography. However, it remains unclear whether and to what extent $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art aligns with pain matrix brain activity. In this fMRI study, 22 participants received different intensities of pain stimuli. We identified brain regions in which the blood oxygen level-dependent signal covaried with $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art using parametric modulation analysis. Among the identified brain regions, the lateral and medial prefrontal cortex and ventral and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex were consistent with the pain matrix. We found moderate correlations between the average activities in these regions and $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art was also significantly correlated with self-reported pain intensity (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) and applied pain intensity (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). Our results indicate that $${\beta }_{\text{art}}$$ β art is positively correlated with pain-related brain activity and subjective pain intensity. This study may thus represent a basis for adopting peripheral arterial stiffness as an objective pain evaluation metric.

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Pain intensity and physical performance among individuals with fibromyalgia in mid-to-late life: The influence of depressive symptoms

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/13591053211009286 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135910532110092

Author(s):

Dylan G Serpas ◽

Laura Zettel-Watson ◽

Barbara J Cherry

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Walk Test ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Mediating Role ◽

6 Minute Walk Test ◽

The Relationship ◽

Minute Walk

This study investigated the mediating role of depressive symptoms among 147 middle-aged and older adults with FM in the relationship between pain intensity and 4 objective measures of physical performance: Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (FAB), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 30-Second Chair Stand (30SCS), and 8-Foot Up and Go Test (8FUPGT). Asymptotic mediation analyses revealed that depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between pain intensity and FAB (95% CI [−0.40, −0.10]) and 8FUPGT (CI [0.02, 0.11]) and partially mediated the relationship to 6MWT (CI [−9.15, −2.20]) and 30SCS (CI [−0.29, −0.06]). Findings support the evaluation of co-morbid depression in FM.

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Investigation of the Correlation between Postherpetic Itch and Neuropathic Pain over Time

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2018/9305126 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rie Ishikawa ◽

Masako Iseki ◽

Rie Koga ◽

Eiichi Inada

Keyword(s):

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

Pain Intensity ◽

Visual Analog Scale ◽

Analog Scale ◽

Paindetect Questionnaire ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Over Time

Postherpetic itch (PHI), or herpes zoster itch, is an intractable and poorly understood disease. We targeted 94 herpes zoster patients to investigate their pain and itch intensities at three separate stages of the condition (acute, subacute, and chronic). We used painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) scores to investigate the correlation between PHI and neuropathic pain. Seventy-six patients were able to complete follow-up surveys. The prevalence of PHI was 47/76 (62%), 28/76 (37%), and 34/76 (45%) at the acute, subacute, and chronic stages, respectively. PHI manifestation times and patterns varied. We investigated the relationship of PHI with neuropathic pain using the visual analog scale (VAS), which is a measure of pain intensity, and the PDQ, which is a questionnaire used to evaluate the elements of neuropathic pain. The VAS and PDQ scores did not differ significantly between PHI-positive and PHI-negative patients. A large neuropathic component was not found for herpes zoster itch, suggesting that neuropathic pain treatments may not able to adequately control the itch. Accordingly, we suggest that a more PHI-focused therapy is required to address this condition.

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The relationship between electronic gaming machine accessibility and police-recorded domestic violence: A spatio-temporal analysis of 654 postcodes in Victoria, Australia, 2005–2014

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.06.008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 162 ◽

pp. 106-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Francis Markham ◽

Bruce Doran ◽

Martin Young

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

Temporal Analysis ◽

Electronic Gaming Machine ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

The Relationship ◽

Gaming Machine

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A revision of daily egg production estimation methods, with application to Atlanto-Iberian sardine. 2. Spatially and environmentally explicit estimates of egg production

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsr002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 528-536 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Miguel Bernal ◽

Yorgos Stratoudakis ◽

Simon Wood ◽

Leire Ibaibarriaga ◽

Luis Valdés ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Temporal Variability ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Egg Production ◽

Stock Assessment ◽

Production Model ◽

Estimation Methods ◽

Statistical Framework ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

The Relationship ◽

Made In

Abstract Bernal, M., Stratoudakis, Y., Wood, S., Ibaibarriaga, L., Uriarte, A., Valdés, L., and Borchers, D. 2011. A revision of daily egg production estimation methods, with application to Atlanto-Iberian sardine. 2. Spatially and environmentally explicit estimates of egg production. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: . A spatially and environmentally explicit egg production model is developed to accommodate a number of assumptions about the relationship between egg production and mortality and associated environmental variables. The general model was tested under different assumptions for Atlanto-Iberian sardine. It provides a flexible estimator of egg production, in which a range of assumptions and hypotheses can be tested in a structured manner within a well-defined statistical framework. Application of the model to Atlanto-Iberian sardine increased the precision of the egg production time-series, and allowed improvements to be made in understanding the spatio-temporal variability in egg production, as well as implications for ecology and stock assessment.

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Work seniority as a determinant of employment intensity

Wiadomości Statystyczne. The Polish Statistician ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.8306 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 49-65

Author(s):

Beata Bieszk-Stolorz

Keyword(s):

Event History Analysis ◽

Event History ◽

Hazard Rates ◽

Employment History ◽

Unemployed People ◽

The Third ◽

Research Material ◽

History Analysis ◽

Intensity Changes ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of this article is to analyse the intensity of unemployment leaving in relation to the length of an unemployed person’s work seniority. A hypothesis was made that its intensity changes depending of that person’s employment history and on its gender as well as education. The research material consisted of individual data of 21,398 unemployed people registered by the Poviat Labour Office (PUP) in Szczecin in 2012 and observed throughout 2013. The author used the event history analysis, which was conducted in three steps. First, the author assessed the likelihood of remaining unemployed depending on the unemployment period. Secondly, she divided the registered unemployed into groups according to their employment history and determined the relationship between the employment intensity and the span of time when the members of those groups remained registered in PUP. In the third step, she used the average hazard rates to compare the intensities of unemployment leaving in individual groups.

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