scholarly journals Assessment of Pressure-Pain Thresholds and Central Sensitization of Pain in Lateral Epicondylalgia

Pain Medicine ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Jespersen ◽  
Kirstine Amris ◽  
Thomas Graven-Nielsen ◽  
Lars Arendt-Nielsen ◽  
Else Marie Bartels ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine den Boer ◽  
Berend Terluin ◽  
Johannes C. van der Wouden ◽  
Annette H. Blankenstein ◽  
Henriëtte E. van der Horst

Abstract Introduction Central sensitization (CS) may explain the persistence of symptoms in patients with chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms (PPS). There is a need for assessing CS in the consultation room. In a recently published systematic review, we made an inventory of tests for CS. In this study we aimed to assess which tests might have added value, might be feasible and thus be suitable for use in general practice. Methods We conducted a Delphi study consisting of two e-mail rounds to reach consensus among experts in chronic pain and PPS. We invited 40 national and international experts on chronic pain and PPS, 27 agreed to participate. We selected 12 tests from our systematic review and additional searches; panellists added three more tests in the first round. We asked the panellists, both clinicians and researchers, to rate these 15 tests on technical feasibility for use in general practice, added value and to provide an overall judgement for suitability in general practice. Results In two rounds the panellists reached consensus on 14 of the 15 tests: three were included, eleven excluded. Included were the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and monofilaments. No consensus was reached on the Sensory Hypersensitivity Scale. Conclusion In a Delphi study among an international panel of experts, three tests for measuring CS were considered to be suitable for use in general practice: the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and monofilaments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 1327-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos J Navarro-Santana ◽  
Jorge Sanchez-Infante ◽  
Guido F Gómez-Chiguano ◽  
Joshua A Cleland ◽  
Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva ◽  
...  

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of dry needling alone or combined with other treatment interventions on pain, related-disability, pressure pain sensitivity, and strength in people with lateral epicondylalgia of musculoskeletal origin. Data Sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases from their inception to 5 April 2020. Review Methods: Randomized controlled trials collecting outcomes on pain, related-disability, pressure pain thresholds, or strength where one group received dry needling for lateral epicondylalgia of musculoskeletal origin. The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Guidelines, methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro score, and the quality of evidence by using the GRADE approach. Results: Seven studies including 320 patients with lateral epicondylalgia were included. The meta-analysis found that dry needling reduced pain intensity (SMD ‒1.13, 95%CI ‒1.64 to ‒0.62) and related-disability (SMD ‒2.17, 95%CI ‒3.34 to ‒1.01) with large effect sizes compared to a comparative group. Dry needling also increased pressure pain thresholds with a large effect size (SMD 0.98, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.67) and grip strength with a small size effect (SMD 0.48, 95%CI 0.16 to 0.81) when compared to a comparative group. The most significant effect was at short-term. The risk of bias was generally low, but the heterogenicity of the results downgraded the evidence level. Conclusion: Low to moderate evidence suggests a positive effect of dry needling for pain, pain-related disability, pressure pain sensitivity and strength at short-term in patients with lateral epicondylalgia of musculoskeletal origin. Level of Evidence: Therapy, level 1a. Registration number: OSF Registry - https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZY3E8


Author(s):  
Kemery J. Sigmund ◽  
Marie K. Hoeger Bement ◽  
Jennifer E. Earl-Boehm

Objective: Patellofemoral pain has high recurrence rates and minimal long-term treatment success. Central sensitization refers to dysfunctional pain modulation that occurs when nociceptive neurons become hyper responsive. Research in this area in PFP has been increasingly productive in the past decade. The aim of this review is to determine whether evidence supports manifestations of central sensitization in individuals with PFP. Data sources: MeSH terms for quantitative sensory testing (QST) pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation, sensitization, hyperalgesia, and anterior knee pain or PFP were searched in PubMed, SportDiscus, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, and Ebscohost. Study Selection: Peer reviewed studies written in English, published between 2005–2020 which investigated QST and/or pain mapping in a sample with PFP were included in this review. Data Extraction: The initial search yielded 140 articles. After duplicates were removed, 78 article abstracts were reviewed. Full-text review of 21 studies occurred, with 11 studies included in the meta-analysis and eight studies included in the systematic review. Data Synthesis: A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for four QST variables (local pressure pain thresholds, remote pressure pain thresholds, conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation). Strong evidence supports lower local and remote pressure pain thresholds, impaired conditioned pain modulation, and facilitated temporal summation in individuals with PFP compared to pain-free individuals. Conflicting evidence is presented for heat and cold pain thresholds. Pain mapping demonstrated expanding pain patterns associated with long PFP symptom duration. Conclusions: Signs of central sensitization are present in individuals with PFP, indicating altered pain modulation. PFP etiological and treatment models should reflect the current body of evidence regarding central sensitization. Signs of central sensitization should be monitored clinically and treatments with central effects should be considered as part of a multi-modal plan of care. Registration Number: This review is registered with Prospero (CRD42019127548) Registration URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO Key Points:


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-198
Author(s):  
Signe Bruun Munksgaard ◽  
Lars Bendtsen ◽  
Rigmor Højland Jensen

Abstract Background Previously, central sensitization has been found in chronic, primary headaches but pain perception in MOH patients has only scarcely been studied. Aim To investigate pain perception before and during detoxification in patients with medication overuse headache (MOH). Methods 35 patients with MOH following structured detoxification programmes were tested before and 2, 6 and 12 months after withdrawal and 40 age and sex matched, healthy volunteers were tested for comparison. We measured cephalic and extra cephalic pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and supra-threshold pressure pain (STPP) as well as extra cephalic pain thresholds, supra-threshold pain and wind-up for electrical stimulation. Results At baseline, cephalic and extra cephalic PPTs were significantly lower in patients with MOH compared with healthy volunteers. Cephalic STPP was significantly higher in MOH patients compared with healthy volunteers but decreased significantly from baseline to the 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Supra-threshold pain for a single electrical stimulus was significantly higher in MOH patients compared with healthy volunteers. In contrast to healthy volunteers, patients with MOH did not exhibit wind-up before withdrawal. After 2 months, MOH patients had regained ability to wind-up and this persisted at 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Conclusions Patients with MOH have altered pain sensation and exhibit both allodynia and hyperalgesia indicating central sensitization. Withdrawal from medication overuse causes significant decrease in central sensitization. The ability to wind-up is altered in MOH patients, probably as a consequence of medication overuse, but it can be regained after withdrawal. These findings emphasize the need for detoxification in MOH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
René F. Castien ◽  
Michel W. Coppieters ◽  
Tom S. C. Durge ◽  
Gwendolyne G. M. Scholten-Peeters

Abstract Background Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) are commonly assessed to quantify mechanical sensitivity in various conditions, including migraine. Digital and analogue algometers are used, but the concurrent validity between these algometers is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the concurrent validity between a digital and analogue algometer to determine PPTs in healthy participants and people with migraine. Methods Twenty-six healthy participants and twenty-nine people with migraine participated in the study. PPTs were measured interictally and bilaterally at the cephalic region (temporal muscle, C1 paraspinal muscles, and trapezius muscle) and extra-cephalic region (extensor carpi radialis muscle and tibialis anterior muscle). PPTs were first determined with a digital algometer, followed by an analogue algometer. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC3.1) and limits of agreement were calculated to quantify concurrent validity. Results The concurrent validity between algometers in both groups was moderate to excellent (ICC3.1 ranged from 0.82 to 0.99, with 95%CI: 0.65 to 0.99). Although PPTs measured with the analogue algometer were higher at most locations in both groups (p < 0.05), the mean differences between both devices were less than 18.3 kPa. The variation in methods, such as a hand-held switch (digital algometer) versus verbal commands (analogue algometer) to indicate when the threshold was reached, may explain these differences in scores. The limits of agreement varied per location and between healthy participants and people with migraine. Conclusion The concurrent validity between the digital and analogue algometer is excellent in healthy participants and moderate in people with migraine. Both types of algometer are well-suited for research and clinical practice but are not exchangeable within a study or patient follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Pallisgaard Støve ◽  
Rogerio Pessoto Hirata ◽  
Thorvaldur Skuli Palsson

Abstract Objectives The effect of stretching on joint range of motion is well documented, and although sensory perception has significance for changes in the tolerance to stretch following stretching the underlining mechanisms responsible for these changes is insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of endogenous pain inhibitory mechanisms on stretch tolerance and to investigate the relationship between range of motion and changes in pain sensitivity. Methods Nineteen healthy males participated in this randomized, repeated-measures crossover study, conducted on 2 separate days. Knee extension range of motion, passive resistive torque, and pressure pain thresholds were recorded before, after, and 10 min after each of four experimental conditions; (i) Exercise-induced hypoalgesia, (ii) two bouts of static stretching, (iii) resting, and (iv) a remote, painful stimulus induced by the cold pressor test. Results Exercise-induced hypoalgesia and cold pressor test caused an increase in range of motion (p<0.034) and pressure pain thresholds (p<0.027). Moderate correlations in pressure pain thresholds were found between exercise-induced hypoalgesia and static stretch (Rho>0.507, p=0.01) and exercise-induced hypoalgesia and the cold pressor test (Rho=0.562, p=0.01). A weak correlation in pressure pain thresholds and changes in range of motion were found following the cold pressor test (Rho=0.460, p=0.047). However, a potential carryover hypoalgesic effect may have affected the results of the static stretch. Conclusions These results suggest that stretch tolerance may be linked with endogenous modulation of pain. Present results suggest, that stretch tolerance may merely be a marker for pain sensitivity which may have clinical significance given that stretching is often prescribed in the rehabilitation of different musculoskeletal pain conditions where reduced endogenous pain inhibition is frequently seen.


Pain ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (10) ◽  
pp. 2134-2143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary D. Slade ◽  
Anne E. Sanders ◽  
Richard Ohrbach ◽  
Roger B. Fillingim ◽  
Ron Dubner ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Daniel Viggiani ◽  
Jack P. Callaghan

Viscoelastic creep generated in the lumbar spine following sustained spine flexion may affect the relationship between tissue damage and perceived pain. Two processes supporting this altered relationship include altered neural feedback and inflammatory processes. Our purpose was to determine how low back mechanical pain sensitivity changes following seated lumbar spine flexion using pressure algometry in a repeated-measures, cross-sectional laboratory design. Thirty-eight participants underwent a 10-minute sustained seated maximal flexion exposure with a 40-minute standing recovery period. Pressure algometry assessed pressure pain thresholds and the perceived intensity and unpleasantness of fixed pressures. Accelerometers measured spine flexion angles, and electromyography measured muscular activity during flexion. The flexion exposure produced 4.4° (2.7°) of creep that persisted throughout the entire recovery period. The perception of low back stimulus unpleasantness was elevated immediately following the exposure, 20 minutes before a delayed increase in lumbar erector spinae muscle activity. Women reported the fixed pressures to be more intense than men. Sustained flexion had immediate consequences to the quality of mechanical stimulus perceived but did not alter pressure pain thresholds. Neural feedback and inflammation seemed unlikely mechanisms for this given the time and direction of pain sensitivity changes, leaving a postulated cortical influence.


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