Quantitative Sensory Testing Discriminates Central Sensitization Inventory Scores in Participants with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Objective Central sensitization is present in different pain conditions, including chronic whiplash-associated disorders. In the absence of a gold standard method of assessment to determine the presence of central sensitization, quantitative sensory testing is currently understood as an optimal proxy. Laboratory sensory testing is, however, not feasible in clinical practice, and the Central Sensitization Inventory was developed as an alternative. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the convergent validity of the Central Sensitization Inventory in chronic whiplash-associated patients by determining the association between the Central Sensitization Inventory and quantitative sensory testing, pain intensity, fatigue, and psychosocial factors. Methods A total of 125 chronic whiplash-associated patients completed multiple questionnaires and were subjected to pressure pain thresholds and temporal summation. Results . The Central Sensitization Inventory showed a strong association with constructs of general psychopathology, anxiety, distress, depression, and somatization in chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Moderate correlations were found with fatigue and intrusive and avoidant phenomena after a variety of traumatic events. No significant association was found between the Central Sensitization Inventory and pressure pain thresholds and temporal summation, nor between the Central Sensitization Inventory and other pain measurements. Conclusions Overall, we found that the Central Sensitization Inventory is better in identifying the psychosocial factors related to central sensitization in chronic whiplash-associated disorders than the central nervous system adaptations. Thus, the convergent validity of the Central Sensitization Inventory appears to be only partially present in chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

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Central Sensitization Inventory is a useless instrument for detection of the impairment of the conditioned pain modulation in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Joint Bone Spine ◽

10.1016/j.jbspin.2020.105127 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 105127

Author(s):

Márcia Cliton Bezerra ◽

Juliana Valentim Bittencourt ◽

Felipe José Jandre Reis ◽

Renato Santos de Almeida ◽

Ney Armando Mello Meziat-Filho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Central Sensitization ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽

Central Sensitization Inventory

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A Novel Technique for the Quantification of Central Sensitization: Potential Applications for the Sumsquare Method in the Assessment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice ◽

10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102400 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102400

Author(s):

Clouse Allison ◽

Loi Korey ◽

Srbely John Z

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Central Sensitization ◽

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Novel Technique ◽

Potential Applications

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How to explain central sensitization to patients with ‘unexplained’ chronic musculoskeletal pain: Practice guidelines

Manual Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.math.2011.04.005 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 413-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 175

Author(s):

Jo Nijs ◽

C. Paul van Wilgen ◽

Jessica Van Oosterwijck ◽

Miriam van Ittersum ◽

Mira Meeus

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Pain ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Central Sensitization ◽

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

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Central Sensıtızatıon ın Axıal Spondyloarthrıtıs: An Exploratıve Study wıth Quantıtatıve Sensory Testıng and Clınıcal Scales

Modern Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/mr/roab110 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Feyza Nur Yücel ◽

Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz

Keyword(s):

Central Sensitization ◽

Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Pressure Pain Threshold ◽

Female Gender ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Sensory Testing ◽

Clinical Scales ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the central sensitization (CS) and the related parameters in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods Quantitative sensory testing (QST) which consists of pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were applied to the participants. Disease activity, functional status, sleep quality, pain, depression, and fatigue were assessed. Patients were divided as the ones with and without CS according to the central sensitization inventory (CSI) and the results were compared. Results One hundred patients and fifty controls were recruited. Sixty axSpA patients had CS. When QST results were compared between the patient and control groups, all PPT scores were found lower (p<0.05) in patients. Regarding the comparison of the patients with and without CS, sacroiliac, and trapezius PPT scores were found lower in the patients with CS (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the mean TS scores (p>0.05) between patients and controls, and in patients with and without CS. All investigated comorbidities were found to be significantly more frequent (p<0.001) in the patients with CS. In regression analysis female gender, morning stiffness duration, CPM, depression, and fatigue were detected as related parameters with CSI scores. Conclusion CS and related comorbidities were found to be increased in axSpA patients. This increase should be taken into consideration in the management of these patients.

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