scholarly journals Lack of Effects of the Presence of a Dog on Pain Perception in Healthy Participants—A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cora Wagner ◽  
Jens Gaab ◽  
Cosima Locher ◽  
Karin Hediger
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Treatment Provider ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Study Investigator ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Healthy Participants

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of pain. Studies suggest that relationships with animals can have comparable qualities to relationships with humans and that this enables animals to provide social support. Further, the presence of an animal can strengthen the therapeutic alliance between patients and treatment providers. This suggests that the analgesic effects of AAI might be mediated by social support from an animal or by strengthening the alliance between the patient and the treatment provider. To test these assumptions, we examined the effects of the presence of a dog on experimentally induced pain in a pain assessment and a pain therapy context. Hundred thirty-two healthy participants were randomly assigned to the conditions “pain,” “pain + dog,” “pain + placebo,” or “pain + placebo + dog.” We collected baseline and posttreatment measurements of heat-pain tolerance and the heat-pain threshold and of the corresponding subjective ratings of heat-pain intensity and unpleasantness as well as of participants' perceptions of the study investigator. The primary outcome was heat-pain tolerance. The presence of the dog did not influence the primary outcome (“pain” vs. “pain + dog”: difference = 0.04, CI = −0.66 to 0.74, p = 0.905; “pain + placebo” vs. “pain + placebo + dog”: difference = 0.43, CI = −0.02 to 0.88, p = 0.059). Participants did also not perceive the study investigator to be more trustworthy in the presence of the dog (“pain” vs. “pain + dog”: difference = 0.10, CI = −0.67 to 0.87, p = 0.796; “pain + placebo” vs. “pain + placebo + dog”: difference = 0.11, CI = −0.43 to 0.64, p = 0.695). The results indicate that the mere presence of a dog does not contribute to pain reduction and that the analgesic effects of AAI that previous studies have found is not replicated in our study as AAI did not increase perceived social support and had no effect on the alliance between the participant and the treatment provider. We assume that the animal most likely needs to be an integrated and plausible part of the treatment rationale so that participants are able to form a treatment-response expectation toward AAI.Clinical Trial Registration: This study was preregistered as a clinical trial on www.clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT0389814).

The association between selected genetic variants and individual differences in experimental pain

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Udnesseter Lie ◽  
Bendik Winsvold ◽  
Johannes Gjerstad ◽  
Dagfinn Matre ◽  
Linda M. Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Secondary Hyperalgesia ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Patients

AbstractObjectivesThe underlying mechanisms for individual differences in experimental pain are not fully understood, but genetic susceptibility is hypothesized to explain some of these differences. In the present study we focus on three genetic variants important for modulating experimental pain related to serotonin (SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 A>G), catecholamine (COMT rs4680 Val158Met) and opioid (OPRM1 rs1799971 A118G) signaling. We aimed to investigate associations between each of the selected genetic variants and individual differences in experimental pain.MethodsIn total 356 subjects (232 low back pain patients and 124 healthy volunteers) were genotyped and assessed with tests of heat pain threshold, pressure pain thresholds, heat pain tolerance, conditioned pain modulation (CPM), offset analgesia, temporal summation and secondary hyperalgesia. Low back pain patients and healthy volunteers did not differ in regards to experimental test results or allelic frequencies, and were therefore analyzed as one group. The associations were tested using analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test.ResultsNo significant associations were observed between the genetic variants (SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 A>G, COMT rs4680 Val158Met and OPRM1 rs1799971 A118G) and individual differences in experimental pain (heat pain threshold, pressure pain threshold, heat pain tolerance, CPM, offset analgesia, temporal summation and secondary hyperalgesia).ConclusionsThe selected pain-associated genetic variants were not associated with individual differences in experimental pain. Genetic variants well known for playing central roles in pain perception failed to explain individual differences in experimental pain in 356 subjects. The finding is an important contribution to the literature, which often consists of studies with lower sample size and one or few experimental pain assessments.

Visuo–tactile stimulation, but not type of movement, modulates pain during the vision of a moving virtual limb

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calum Gordon ◽  
Alba Barbullushi ◽  
Stefano Tombolini ◽  
Federica Margiotta ◽  
Alessia Ciacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Tactile Stimulation ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Pain Thresholds ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Healthy Participants

Aim: Evidence has revealed a relationship between pain and the observation of limb movement, but it is unknown whether different types of movements have diverse modulating effects. In this immersive virtual reality study, we explored the effect of the vision of different virtual arm movements (arm vs wrist) on heat pain threshold of healthy participants. Patients & methods: 40 healthy participants underwent four conditions in virtual reality, while heat pain thresholds were measured. Visuo–tactile stimulation was used to attempt to modulate the feeling of virtual limb ownership while the participants kept their arms still. Results: Effects on pain threshold were present for type of stimulation but not type of movement. Conclusion: The type of observed movement does not appear to influence pain modulation, at least not during acute pain states.

scholarly journals Dispositional empathy is associated with experimental pain reduction during provision of social support by romantic partners

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Stefan Duschek ◽  
Lena Nassauer ◽  
Casandra I. Montoro ◽  
Angela Bair ◽  
Pedro Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Experimental Pain ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Pain Ratings ◽  
Dispositional Empathy

AbstractBackground and aimsWhile social interactions like verbal support and physical touch have repeatedly been shown to reduce experimental pain, analgesic effects of passive social support, i.e. the sole physical presence of a supportive other, remain unclear. Moreover, little is known about individual factors influencing the extent of pain attenuation during social support. This study investigated analgesic effects of passive support by a romantic partner and the role of partner empathy therein.MethodsIn 48 heterosexual couples, sensitivity to pressure pain was assessed; each participant was tested alone and in the passive presence of his/her partner. Dispositional empathy was quantified by a questionnaire.ResultsIn the presence, as compared to absence, of their partners men and women exhibited higher pain threshold and tolerance, as well as lower sensory and affective pain ratings on constant pressure stimuli. Partner empathy was positively associated with pain tolerance and inversely associated with sensory pain experience.ConclusionsThe results confirm the analgesic effects of social support, which may even occur without verbal or physical contact. Partner empathy may buffer affective distress during pain exposure, thereby reducing pain sensitivity and promoting pain coping. These processes may occur solely due to a partner’s physical presence and do not necessarily require direct empathetic feedback.

scholarly journals An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Age and Sex/Gender on Pain Sensitivity in Healthy Human Participants

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanan El-Tumi ◽  
Mark I. Johnson ◽  
Osama A. Tashani
Keyword(s):  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Cold Pressor ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Pressure Pain ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Cold Pressor Pain

Background: Ageing is associated with alterations of the structure and function of somatosensory tissue that can impact on pain perception. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between age and pain sensitivity responses to noxious thermal and mechanical stimuli in healthy adults. Methods: 56 unpaid volunteers (28 women) aged between 20 and 55 years were categorised according to age into one of seven possible groups. The following measurements were taken: thermal detection thresholds, heat pain threshold and tolerance using a TSA-II NeuroSensory Analyzer; pressure pain threshold using a handheld electronic pressure algometer; and cold pressor pain threshold, tolerance, intensity and unpleasantness. Results: There was a positive correlation between heat pain tolerance and age (r = 0.228, P = 0.046), but no statistically significant differences between age groups for cold or warm detection thresholds, or heat pain threshold or tolerance. Forward regression found increasing age to be a predictor of increased pressure pain threshold (B = 0.378, P = 0.002), and sex/gender to be a predictor of cold pressor pain tolerance, with women having lower tolerance than men (B = -0.332, P = 0.006). Conclusion: The findings of this experimental study provide further evidence that pressure pain threshold increases with age and that women have lower thresholds and tolerances to innocuous and noxious thermal stimuli. Significance: The findings demonstrate that variations in pain sensitivity response to experimental stimuli in adults vary according to stimulus modality, age and sex and gender.

scholarly journals Sweet taste does not modulate pain perception in adult humans

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R Mooney ◽  
Alexander J Davies ◽  
Anthony E Pickering
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Pain Thresholds ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Adult Humans

Background: Sugar is routinely used to comfort neonates undergoing painful procedures, and animal studies have shown that sucrose increases the time to withdrawal from painful stimuli. However, there are no published studies examining the effects of sweet substances on heat pain thresholds and percept in adult humans. Methods: Healthy adult volunteers (n=27, aged 18-48 years) were recruited to a controlled, double-blind, randomised, cross-over study to characterise the effect of tasting solutions of equivalent sweetness (10% sucrose and 0.016% sucralose) on warm detection and heat pain thresholds and the percept ratings of painfully hot stimuli. The effect of anticipation of a sweet taste on heat pain threshold was also assessed. Results: Tasting either sucrose or sucralose had no significant effect on the percept of an individually titrated hot stimulus (54.5±4.2 and 54.9±3.2 vs 53.2±3.5 for water, 0-100 visual analogue scale), on the warm detection or heat pain threshold (43.3±0.8, 43.2±0.8 vs 43.0±0.8°C). Anticipation of a sweet substance similarly did not affect heat pain thresholds. Conclusions: Sucrose and sucralose solutions had no analgesic effect when assessed using heat detection thresholds and percept ratings of painfully hot stimuli despite being perceived as sweeter and more pleasant than water. These findings are in contrast to results reported from previous animal studies in which thermal analgesia from sweet solutions is robust. Given the ubiquitous availability of sugar rich drinks in the modern environment, the lack of observable effect may be due to an insufficient hedonic value of the test solutions when compared to the experience of a laboratory rodent. Alternatively, sweet tastes may have a specific effect on pain tolerance rather than the threshold and acute percept measures assayed in this study.

scholarly journals Local and Systemic Analgesic Effects of Nerve-Specific Acupuncture in Healthy Adults, Measured by Quantitative Sensory Testing

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Dimitrova ◽  
Dana Dharmakaya Colgan ◽  
Barry Oken
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold

Abstract Objective  This study aims to assess whether acupuncture analgesia’s effects are local or systemic and whether there is a dose response for these effects. Methods  Twenty-eight healthy volunteers aged 18–45 were randomized to two doses of acupuncture using points closely associated with peripheral nerves in the legs. The lower-dose group involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal nerve (DP), and the higher-dose involved acupoints overlying the deep peroneal and posterior tibial nerves (DPTN). Baseline and acupuncture quantitative sensory testing (QST) assessments were obtained locally in the calf and great toe and systemically in the hand. Results were analyzed using factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance for each of the QST variables—cold detection threshold (CDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT), heat pain threshold (HP0.5), and heat pain perception of 5/10 (HP5.0). Location (leg/hand) and time (baseline/acupuncture) were within-subject factors. Intervention (DP/DPTN) was a between-subject factor. Results  CDT was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). VDT was increased in the toe (P < 0.001) but not in the hand. HP0.5 was increased in the calf (P < 0.001) and in the hand (P < 0.001). HP5.0 was increased in the calf (P = 0.002) and in the hand (P < 0.001), with the local effect being significantly greater than the systemic (P = 0.004). In all of the above QST modalities, there was no difference between the low-dose (DP) and high-dose (DPTN) acupuncture groups. Conclusions  Acupuncture caused comparable local and systemic analgesic effects in cold detection and heat pain perception and only local effects in vibration perception. There was no clear acupuncture dose response to these effects.

Effects of oral alcohol administration on heat pain threshold and ratings of supra-threshold stimuli

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-634
Author(s):  
Eva Susanne Capito ◽  
Stefan Lautenbacher ◽  
Jörg Wolstein ◽  
Claudia Horn-Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Alcohol Dose ◽  
Pain Unpleasantness ◽  
Low Alcohol

AbstractBackground and aimsEvidence for analgesic effects of oral alcohol consumption on heat pain has recently been documented in a placebo-controlled, randomized and double-blind design. We aimed at further investigating these effects and now set the focus on pain threshold and the ratings of supra-threshold pain to cover most of the pain range. Moreover, we now firstly evaluated sex differences in these effects.MethodsWe investigated 41 healthy participants (22 females) in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design and targeted two different moderate breath-alcohol levels of 0.06% and 0.08%. Before and after an alcoholic or placebo drink, contact heat was applied at the forearm. Subjects evaluated pain threshold (method of adjustment) and rated pain intensity and pain unpleasantness of supra-threshold stimuli (intensity: threshold +3 °C; duration: 5 s).ResultsAnalgesic effects taking the form of increased pain thresholds were found after both alcohol doses, surprisingly with more pronounced effects for the lower dose. While the high alcohol dose exerted small analgesic effects on pain intensity ratings (i.e. decrease), slightly increased ratings of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness after the low alcohol dose rather suggest pain enhancement. Alcohol did not affect intensity vs. unpleasantness ratings differentially. We found no evidence for sex differences in any of these effects.ConclusionsOverall, acute alcohol effects on pain were subtle. Our findings suggest that while low alcohol doses already exert analgesic effects on pain threshold, stronger doses are required for pain reduction on supra-threshold pain levels. Furthermore, sex differences could not be detected within our experimental paradigm but should be further explored in future research.ImplicationsAnalgesic effects of sub-toxic alcohol doses – as normally occurring during social drinking – might be weak; however, susceptibility to pain relieving effects of alcohol might be a risk factor for the use of alcohol as self-medication in acute pain states.

scholarly journals Sweet taste does not modulate pain perception in adult humans

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R Mooney ◽  
Alexander J Davies ◽  
Anthony E Pickering
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Pain Thresholds ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
Adult Humans

Background: It is commonly observed that humans who are in pain or discomfort seek solace in the form of sweet foods and drinks. Sugar is routinely used to comfort neonates undergoing painful procedures, and animal studies have shown that sucrose increases the time to withdrawal from painful stimuli. However, there are no published studies examining the effects of sweet substances on heat pain thresholds and percept in adult humans. Methods: Healthy adult volunteers (n=27, aged 18-48 years) were recruited to a controlled, double-blind, randomised, cross-over study to characterise the effect of tasting solutions of equivalent sweetness (10% sucrose and 0.016% sucralose) on warm detection and heat pain thresholds and the percept ratings of painfully hot stimuli. The effect of anticipation of a sweet taste on heat pain threshold was also assessed. Results: Tasting either sucrose or sucralose had no significant effect on the percept of an individually titrated hot stimulus (54.5±4.2 and 54.9±3.2 vs 53.2±3.5 for water, 0-100 visual analogue scale), on the warm detection or heat pain threshold (43.3±0.8, 43.2±0.8 vs 43.0±0.8°C). Anticipation of a sweet substance similarly did not affect heat pain thresholds. Conclusions: Sucrose and sucralose solutions had no analgesic effect when assessed using heat detection thresholds and percept ratings of painfully hot stimuli despite being perceived as sweeter and more pleasant than water. These findings are in contrast to results reported from previous animal studies in which thermal analgesia from sweet solutions is robust. Given the ubiquitous availability of sugar rich drinks in the modern environment, the lack of observable effect may be due to an insufficient hedonic value of the test solutions when compared to the experience of a laboratory rodent. Alternatively, sweet tastes may have a specific effect on pain tolerance rather than the threshold and acute percept measures assayed in this study.

scholarly journals Analgesic Effects of Preincision Ketamine on Postspinal Caesarean Delivery in Uganda’s Tertiary Hospital: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Richard Mwase ◽  
Tonny Stone Luggya ◽  
John Mark Kasumba ◽  
Humphrey Wanzira ◽  
Andrew Kintu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Breakthrough Pain ◽  
Numerical Rating Scale ◽  
Postoperative Pain Management ◽  
Mulago Hospital ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Intravenous Ketamine

Background. Good postoperative analgesic management improves maternal satisfaction and care of the neonate. Postoperative pain management is a challenge in Mulago Hospital, yet ketamine is accessible and has proven benefit. We determined ketamine’s postoperative analgesic effects.Materials and Methods. We did an RCT among consenting parturients that were randomized to receive either intravenous ketamine (0.25 mg/kg) or placebo after spinal anesthetic. Pain was assessed every 30 mins up to 24 hours postoperatively using the numerical rating scale. The first complaint of pain requiring treatment was noted as “time to first breakthrough pain.”Results. We screened 100 patients and recruited 88 that were randomized into two arms of 44 patients that received either ketamine or placebo. Ketamine group had 30-minute longer time to first breakthrough pain and lower 24-hour pain scores. Postoperative diclofenac consumption was lesser in the ketamine group compared to placebo and Kaplan-Meier graphs showed a higher probability of experiencing breakthrough pain earlier in the placebo group.Conclusion. Preincision intravenous ketamine (0.25 mg/kg) offered 30-minute prolongation to postoperative analgesia requirement with reduced 24-hour pain scores. We recommend larger studies to explore this benefit. This trial is registered with Pan African Clinical Trial Registry numberPACTR201404000807178.

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