scholarly journals Frontal Alpha Asymmetry: a potential biomarker of approach-withdrawal motivation towards pain.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara S. Passadouro ◽  
Ariane D. Sanchez ◽  
James Henshaw ◽  
Karen Lopez-Diaz ◽  
Nelson Trujillo-Barreto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Frontal Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Frontal Activity ◽  
Withdrawal Motivation

Pain-related catastrophising is a maladaptive coping strategy known to have a strong influence on clinical pain outcomes and treatment efficacy. Mounting evidence suggests catastrophising is associated with resting-state EEG frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) patterns reflective of greater relative right frontal activity, thought to underly withdrawal motivation and negative affect. Notwithstanding, knowledge on the neurophysiological basis of catastrophising remains limited. The present study aims to investigate whether such relationship occurs in the situational context of experimental pain, and how FAA is modulated by pain and placebo treatment. 35 participants completed the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) questionnaire prior to EEG recordings during cold pressor test (CPT)-induced tonic pain with or without prior application of placebo cream. There was a negative correlation between FAA and PCS-subscale helplessness scores, but not rumination or magnification, during the pre-placebo CPT condition. Moreover, FAA scores were shown to increase significantly in response to pain, indicative of greater relative left frontal activity that relates to approach-oriented behaviours. Placebo treatment elicited a decrease in FAA in low helplessness scorers, but no significant effects in individuals scoring above the mean on PCS-helplessness. These findings suggest that, during painful events, FAA may reflect the motivational drive to obtain reward of pain relief, which may be diminished in individuals who are prone to feel helpless about their pain. This study provides valuable insights into biomarkers of pain-related catastrophising and prospects of identifying promising targets of brain-based therapies for chronic pain management.

scholarly journals Classification of Game Demand and the Presence of Experimental Pain Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen H. Fairclough ◽  
Chelsea Dobbins ◽  
Kellyann Stamp
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Pain tolerance can be increased by the introduction of an active distraction, such as a computer game. This effect has been found to be moderated by game demand, i.e., increased game demand = higher pain tolerance. A study was performed to classify the level of game demand and the presence of pain using implicit measures from functional Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and heart rate features from an electrocardiogram (ECG). Twenty participants played a racing game that was configured to induce low (Easy) or high (Hard) levels of demand. Both Easy and Hard levels of game demand were played with or without the presence of experimental pain using the cold pressor test protocol. Eight channels of fNIRS data were recorded from a montage of frontal and central-parietal sites located on the midline. Features were generated from these data, a subset of which were selected for classification using the RELIEFF method. Classifiers for game demand (Easy vs. Hard) and pain (pain vs. no-pain) were developed using five methods: Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN), Naive Bayes (NB) and Random Forest (RF). These models were validated using a ten fold cross-validation procedure. The SVM approach using features derived from fNIRS was the only method that classified game demand at higher than chance levels (accuracy = 0.66, F1 = 0.68). It was not possible to classify pain vs. no-pain at higher than chance level. The results demonstrate the viability of utilising fNIRS data to classify levels of game demand and the difficulty of classifying pain when another task is present.

scholarly journals Muscle stretching – the potential role of endogenous pain inhibitory modulation on stretch tolerance

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Pallisgaard Støve ◽  
Rogerio Pessoto Hirata ◽  
Thorvaldur Skuli Palsson
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Painful Stimulus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inhibitory System ◽  
Pain Group ◽  
Resistive Torque

Abstract Background and aims The effect of stretching on joint range of motion is well documented and is primarily related to changes in the tolerance to stretch, but the mechanisms underlying this change are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a remote, painful stimulus on stretch tolerance. Methods Thirty-four healthy male subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental pain group (n=17) or a control group (n=17). Passive knee extension range of motion, the activity of hamstring muscles and passive resistive torque were measured with subjects in a seated position. Three consecutive measures were performed with a 5-min interval between. A static stretch protocol was utilized in both groups to examine the effect of stretching and differences in stretch tolerance between groups. Following this, the pain-group performed a cold pressor test which is known to engage the endogenous pain inhibitory system after which measurements were repeated. Results A significant increase in knee extension range of motion was found in the pain group compared with controls (ANCOVA: p<0.05). No difference was found in muscle activity or passive resistive torque between groups (ANCOVA p>0.091). Conclusions Passive knee extension range of motion following stretching increased when following a distant, painful stimulus, potentially engaging the endogenous pain inhibitory systems. Current findings indicate a link between increased tolerance to stretch and endogenous pain inhibition. Implications The current findings may have implications for clinical practice as they indicate that a distant painful stimulus can influence range of motion in healthy individuals. This implies that the modulation of pain has significance for the efficacy of stretching which is important knowledge when prescribing stretching as part of rehabilitation.

scholarly journals A 5-HT Antagonist (UP 26-91) versus Codeine and Placebo in a Human Experimental Pain Study

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Arendt-Nielsen ◽  
Poul Pedersen ◽  
Lars Poulsen ◽  
Ole Kæseler Andersen ◽  
Peter Bjerring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serotonin Receptor ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Pressor Test ◽  
Pain Models

BACKGROUND: This double-blind, randomized, crossover study compared the potential analgesic effect of the serotonin receptor antagonist UP 26-91 (50 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg) with that of codeine (100 mg) and placebo by use of different human experimental pain models.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In experiment 1, pain detection and tolerance thresholds to heat, pressure and pain ratings during the cold pressor test were measured. In experiment 2, the pain threshold to single and repetitive (temporal summation) electrical sural nerve stimulation, and the pain intensity on a visual analogue scale to supra pain threshold electrical stimulation (stimulus-response-function) were measured. Tests were performed before, and 1, 2 and 6 h after drug administration.RESULTS: UP 26-91 did not show a marked effect on the experimental pain tests. Most of the variables tended to show a better effect from codeine than from placebo, but statistical significance for peak pain was only reached during the cold pressor test (P=0.011).CONCLUSIONS: In the present doses, the serotonin antagonist UP 26-91 had no effect on the experimental pain models applied.

scholarly journals Pregabalin Has Analgesic, Ventilatory, and Cognitive Effects in Combination with Remifentanil

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Myhre ◽  
Lien My Diep ◽  
Audun Stubhaug
Keyword(s):  
Pain Score ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Rapid Information Processing ◽  
End Tidal ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Higher Doses

Abstract Background Pregabalin is widely used perioperatively. The authors explored the effects of pregabalin, remifentanil, and their combination on experimental pain, ventilatory, and cognitive function. Methods In a randomized, double-blinded crossover study, 12 volunteers received (1) pregabalin + placebo, (2) placebo + remifentanil, (3) pregabalin + remifentanil, and (4) placebo + placebo. Pregabalin 150 mg/placebo was administered twice orally. After baseline, remifentanil/placebo was given as effect-site target-controlled infusion (TCI): 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 ng/ml. Pain during cold pressor test was scored on visual analog scale (0 to 100 mm). Ventilation was measured by spirometry and cognition tested with Color-Word Interference and Rapid Information Processing tests. Results Pain intensity after placebo was (mean) 72 mm (95% CI, 62 to 83). Pregabalin reduced pain score by −10 mm (−14 to −7, P &lt; 0.001). Remifentanil had dose-dependent analgesic effect, reducing pain score by −47 mm (−54 to −39, P &lt; 0.001) on highest TCI level, whereas pregabalin + remifentanil exerted additive effect, reducing pain score by −57 mm (−64 to −50, P &lt; 0.001). Respiratory depression was potentiated by adding pregabalin to remifentanil; end-tidal carbon dioxide was 39.3 mmHg (37.2 to 41.3) with placebo, increased 1.8 mmHg (−0.9 to 4.6, P = 0.4) with pregabalin, 10.1 mmHg (4.9 to 15.4, P &lt; 0.001) with remifentanil, and 16.4 mmHg (11.3 to 21.5, P &lt; 0.001) with pregabalin + remifentanil on highest TCI level. The combination pregabalin + remifentanil, but not either drug alone, adversely affected all cognitive tests. Conclusions The combination of pregabalin and remifentanil had additive analgesic effects, pregabalin potentiated remifentanil ventilatory depression, and the combination adversely affected cognition. These results question the clinical benefit of the combination compared with higher doses of opioids.

scholarly journals Study of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Mild Depression: A Potential Biomarker or Not?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 250-255
Author(s):  
Ambrish S. Dharmadhikari ◽  
Suyog Vijay Jaiswal ◽  
Avinash L. Tandle ◽  
Deoraj Sinha ◽  
Nandini Jog
Keyword(s):  
Classical Music ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Activated State ◽  
Frontal Alpha Asymmetry ◽  
Indian Classical Music ◽  
Activation Phase

ABSTRACTBackground: Depression, despite being the most common of mental illness lacks any quantifiable and absolute biomarker. Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is proposed as biomarker of depression both in resting and activated state. Yet, the location of extraction of alpha, clinical utility as well as validity of FAA is uncertain. With aim of obtaining clarity on this confusion we conducted this study. Methodology: Electroencephalographic frontal alpha power was calculated in patients of depression (n = 24) and compared with healthy controls (n = 17) for the assessment of FAA. Both groups were studied for resting phase and activation phase changes in FAA. For activation phase, auditory stimuli in the form of Indian classical music were used. Results: Frontal alpha power was measured across FP1, FP2, F3, F4, F7, and F8. Mean powers were compared in resting (before), activated (during) and postactivated resting stage (after). FAA was statistically significant in F7–F8 pair of electrodes and on F7 electrode when compared between cases and controls. Conclusion: Quest for biomarker for depression churned out FAA as frontrunner. Despite of vast amount of research on it, practical utility eludes us. We need to revisit our approach from conventional search of the diagnostic biomarker; as FAA might reflect component of depression but not totally disorder. In our opinion, we are not yet ready for it and have a road ahead to travel.

scholarly journals Immune Biomarker Response Depends on Choice of Experimental Pain Stimulus in Healthy Adults: A Preliminary Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yenisel Cruz-Almeida ◽  
Christopher D. King ◽  
Shannon M. Wallet ◽  
Joseph L. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Painful Stimulus ◽  
Pain Stimulus ◽  
Biomarker Response ◽  
Pain Ratings ◽  
Multiple Biomarkers ◽  
Chronic Pain Conditions ◽  
Pain Stimuli

Few studies in healthy subjects have examined the neuroimmune responses associated with specific experimental pain stimuli, while none has measured multiple biomarkers simultaneously. The aim of the present study was to compare the neuro-immune responses following two common experimental pain stimuli: cold pressor test (CPT) and focal heat pain (FHP). Eight adults participated in two counterbalanced experimental sessions of FHP or CPT with continuous pain ratings and blood sampling before and 30 minutes after the sessions. Despite similar pain intensity ratings (FHP = 42.2±15.3; CPT = 44.5±34.1; P=0.871), CPT and FHP induced different neuro-immune biomarker responses. CPT was accompanied by significant increases in cortisol (P=0.046) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P=0.043) with significant decreases in several pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β (P=0.028), IL-12 (P=0.012), TNF-α (P=0.039), and MCP-1 (P=0.038)). There were nonsignificant biomarker changes during the FHP session. There were close to significant differences between the sessions for IL-1β (P=0.081), IFN-γ (P=0.072), and IL-12 (P=0.053) with biomarkers decreasing after CPT and increasing after FHP. There were stronger associations between catastrophizing and most biomarkers after CPT compared to FHP. Our results suggest that CPT is a stressful and painful stimulus, while FHP is mostly a painful stimulus. Thus, each experimental pain stimulus can activate different neuro-immune cascades, which are likely relevant for the interpretation of studies in chronic pain conditions.

The effects of gabapentin in human experimental pain models

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Enggaard ◽  
Søren S. Mikkelsen ◽  
Stine T. Zwisler ◽  
Niels A. Klitgaard ◽  
Søren H. Sindrup
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Sural Nerve ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Pain Model ◽  
Pressor Test ◽  
Pain Models ◽  
Pain Detection

AbstractBackgroundThe antidepressant drugs imipramine and venlafaxine relieve clinical neuropathic pain and have been shown to increase pain thresholds in healthy volunteers during repetitive electrical sural nerve stimulation causing temporal pain summation, whereas pain during the cold pressor test is unaltered by these drugs. If this pattern of effect in experimental pain models reflects potential efficacy in clinical neuropathic pain, the pain summation model may potentially be used to identify new drugs for such pain conditions. Gabapentinoids are evidence-based treatments of clinical neuropathic pain and could contribute with additional knowledge of the usefulness of the pain summation model.The aim of this studyTo test the analgesic effect of the gabapentinoid gabapentin in a sural nerve stimulation pain model including temporal pain summation and the cold pressor test.Method18 healthy volunteers completed a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial with medication of 600 mg gabapentin orally dosed 3 times over 24 h against placebo. Pain tests were performed before and 24 h after medication including pain detection and tolerance to single sural nerve stimulation and pain summation threshold to repetitive stimulation (3 Hz). Peak pain intensity and discomfort were rated during a cold pressor test.ResultsCompared to placebo, gabapentin had a highly significant effect on the threshold of pain summation to repetitive electrical sural nerve stimulation (P = 0.009). Gabapentin significantly increased the pain tolerance threshold to single electrical sural nerve stimulation (P = 0.04), whereas the pain detection threshold to single electrical sural nerve stimulation tended to be increased (P = 0.06). No significant differences were found on pain ratings during the cold pressor test.ConclusionGabapentin had a selective hypoalgesic effect in a human experimental pain model of temporal pain summation and the results lend further support to the usefulness of the pain summation model to identify drugs for neuropathic pain.

The effect of virtual reality (VR) used as a distraction method in pain response

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 996-996
Author(s):  
K. Cabas-Hoyos ◽  
J. Gutiérrez-Maldonado ◽  
D. Loreto-Quijada ◽  
O. Gutiérrez-Martínez ◽  
C. Peñaloza-Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cold Pressor Test ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Time Estimation ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Experimental Conditions

IntroductionCognitive strategies have received considerable attention in the field of pain management, together with more traditional approaches based on physical interventions and behavior modification. Distraction is a technique that lately has been often studied.Distraction is based on an individual's limited attention capacity; it diminishes attention aimed to a painful stimulus with a subsequent pain reduction (Wismeijer & Vingerhoets, 2005).ObjectiveTo study the effect of VR as a distraction technique in an experimental pain task.Method37 healthy participants were induced pain through two consecutive immersions using the cold-pressor test. All participants went through two experimental conditions: VR and black screen. The order of conditions was counterbalanced and a design of repetitive measures was used.A virtual environment “Surreal World” was developed based on distraction techniques designed to surprise participants. The effect of VR as a distraction technique was evaluated using objective measures of pain (threshold, tolerance, pain intensity and time estimation) and other cognitive measures (self-efficacy and catastrophic thinking in vivo).ResultsVR significantly decreased tolerance and pain intensity, influenced participants to underestimate the length of immersion. A higher self-efficacy in VR and a lower rumination and helplessness were registered in the pain experience. Thus, VR may help improve the efficacy of cognitive strategies.PerspectivesThe study shows the relevance of VR as an adjunctive method in the treatment of acute pain and allows studying its efficacy in patients with chronic pain.

scholarly journals How Do I Help My Partner in Pain? Partners’ Helping Behaviors Are Linked to Lower Pain and Greater Perceived Validation During an Experimental Pain Task

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 280-290
Author(s):  
Bethany D Pester ◽  
Annmarie Caño ◽  
Toni Kostecki ◽  
Lee H Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Romantic Couples ◽  
Cold Pressor Task ◽  
Pain Outcomes ◽  
Lower Pain ◽  
Partner Behaviors

Abstract Background Observers’ responses to people with illness are important predictors of quality of life, yet findings are mixed regarding the types of responses that affect illness-related suffering. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether perspective taking positively affects observers’ responses to their romantic partner experiencing experimentally induced pain and whether responses based in Self-Determination Theory and communication models of illness are related to perceived validation and pain outcomes. Methods Undergraduate romantic couples (N = 122) completed baseline questionnaires; then one partner was randomly assigned to complete the cold pressor task, whereas the other partner observed. Couples were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a perspective-taking group in which observers were privately instructed to take the perspective of the pain participant or a control group. Afterward, both partners completed surveys, and pain participants completed a video recall task in which they recalled partner behaviors that were coded by trained raters using a theoretically derived manual. Results Pain participants in the perspective-taking group identified significantly less invalidating communication from their partners, fewer behaviors that thwarted their competence, and more behaviors that supported their autonomy. Across groups, pain participants who received more normalizing communication that supported their competence felt more validated by their partners, had lower pain intensity, and exhibited greater pain tolerance, whereas those who received more invalidation showed worse outcomes. Conclusions The results from this study suggest that attention to different types of partner behaviors is essential when developing behavioral medicine treatments for pain and illness.

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