scholarly journals Quantitative Sensory Testing in Adolescents with Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Obesity: A Pilot Study

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Keri R. Hainsworth ◽  
Pippa M. Simpson ◽  
Omar Ali ◽  
Jaya Varadarajan ◽  
Lynn Rusy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Pain Processing ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold

Factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age affect pain processing in children and adolescents with chronic pain. Although obesity has been shown to affect pain processing in adults, almost nothing is known about pediatric populations. The aim of this pilot study was to explore whether obesity alters sensory processing in adolescents with chronic pain. Participants were recruited from a chronic pain clinic (Chronic Pain (CP), n = 12 normal weight; Chronic Pain + Obesity (CPO), n = 19 overweight/obesity) and from an obesity clinic (Obesity alone (O), n = 14). The quantitative sensory testing protocol included assessments of thermal and mechanical pain thresholds and perceptual sensitization at two sites with little adiposity. The heat pain threshold at the hand was significantly higher in the CPO group than in either the CP or O groups. Mechanical pain threshold (foot) was significantly higher in the CPO group than the CP group. No differences were found on tests of perceptual sensitization. Correlations between experimental pain and clinical pain parameters were found for the CPO group, but not for the CP group. This preliminary study provides important lessons learned for subsequent, larger-scale studies of sensory processing for youth with co-occurring chronic pain and obesity.

Quantitative Sensory Testing in Animal Models of Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Monteiro ◽  
M. Moreau ◽  
C. Otis ◽  
L. De Lorimier ◽  
J. Pelletier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Sensory Testing

scholarly journals Quantitative sensory testing predicts histological small fiber neuropathy in postural tachycardia syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-434
Author(s):  
Sophia C.I. Billig ◽  
Joana C. Schauermann ◽  
Roman Rolke ◽  
Istvan Katona ◽  
Jörg B. Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Biopsy ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Small Fiber Neuropathy ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Cold Pain ◽  
Noninvasive Test ◽  
Small Fiber ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold

BackgroundRetrospective investigation of the somatosensory profile and prediction of histologic small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) was performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST) as a standardized noninvasive test.MethodsIn this investigation, full data sets from 30 patients (age: 34.03 ± 10.82 years, n = 6 males), including results of autonomic function testing, norepinephrine values, skin biopsy, and QST, were retrospectively analyzed. The QST data were compared with healthy controls (HCs) (age: 34.20 ± 10.5 years, n = 6 males, t test: 0.95).ResultsThe evaluation of all QST parameters in POTS compared with HCs yielded differences in all thermal parameters (cold detection threshold: p < 0.05, warm detection threshold: p < 0.001, thermal sensory limen: p < 0.001, cold pain threshold: p < 0.05, and heat pain threshold: p < 0.001) and in paradoxical heat sensations (p < 0.05). Differences in nonpainful stimuli (mechanical detection threshold: p < 0.05 and vibration detection threshold: p < 0.001) were also detected. All patients who had clinical signs of SFN in combination with impairment of small fibers in QST also had SFN on skin biopsy.ConclusionThese results suggest that a non–region-specific SFN in POTS compared with controls can be detected by noninvasive QST that predicts histologic small fiber pathology.

Quantitative Sensory Testing in Patients with Multisomatoform Disorder with Chronic Pain as the Leading Bodily Symptom—a Matched Case–Control Study

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Achenbach ◽  
Anh-Thu Tran ◽  
Burkhardt Jaeger ◽  
Karl Kapitza ◽  
Michael Bernateck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Somatoform Disorders ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Presenting Symptoms

Abstract Objective Chronic pain is a debilitating condition of multifactorial origin, often without physical findings to explain the presenting symptoms. Of the possible etiologies of persisting painful symptoms, somatoform disorders and functional somatic syndromes (FSS) are among the most challenging, with a prevalence of 8–20%. Many different somatoform disorders and FSS have overlapping symptoms, with pain being the most prevalent one. The concept of multisomatoform disorder (MSD) has been developed to acknowledge that fact. We hypothesized that the concept of MSD will be reflected in a distinct sensory profile of patients compared with healthy controls and possibly provide insight into the type and pathophysiology of the pain commonly experienced by patients. Design We performed comprehensive quantitative sensory testing (QST) in 151 patients and 149 matched controls. Results There were significant differences in the sensory profiles of patients compared with controls. Patients with MSD showed a combination of tactile and thermal hypesthesia combined with mechanical and cold hyperalgesia. This was true for measurements at test and control sites, with the exception of vibration detection threshold and mechanical pain threshold. Among the observed changes, a marked sensory loss of function, as evidenced by an increase in cold detection threshold, and a marked gain of function, as evidenced by a decrease of pressure pain threshold, were most notable. There was no evidence of concurrent medication influencing QST results. Conclusions The observed somatosensory profile of patients with MSD resembles that of patients suffering from neuropathic pain with evidence of central sensitization.

scholarly journals Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing in Fibromyalgia Patients / Termāla Kvantitatīva Sensora Testēšana Fibromialģijas Pacientiem

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 215-222
Author(s):  
Marija Mihailova ◽  
Ināra Logina ◽  
Santa Rasa ◽  
Svetlana Čapenko ◽  
Modra Murovska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Thermal Stimulus ◽  
Thermal Perception ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Inhibitory System ◽  
Cold Pain ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold

AbstractFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder manifested by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep, and emotional disturbance. The disorder is probably associated with dysfunction of C and A delta peripheral nerve fibres. Thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST) was used to analyse thinly myelinated A delta fibres and nonmylinated C fibres, which function in the nociceptive sensory system, and the spinothalamic pathway. The observation that FM pain has neuropathic nature increased the value of QST as an additional diagnostic tool. The research group included 51 patients. Somatic symptoms were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Score (FSS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 year diagnostic criteria. QST was performed by using thermal stimulus at wrist and feet. QST results were compared with 20 non-FM controls matched for age and sex. FM patients showed significant alteration of thermal perception and pain threshold compared with that in healthy controls, which demonstrated possible neuropathic pain nature in FM patients. Changes were more expressed in warm perception and heat pain threshold, which probably indicates that in FM patients C fibres are more damaged and warm perception and warm pain threshold are more sensitive, which may be used as FM diagnostics. We also found statistically significant negative correlations between warm and cold perception thresholds and between heat and cold pain thresholds, reflecting central sensitization or a defective pain inhibitory system.

The Relationship Between Plasma BDNF and Pain in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
pp. 109980042110124
Author(s):  
Setor K. Sorkpor ◽  
Kelli Galle ◽  
Antonio L. Teixeira ◽  
Gabriela D. Colpo ◽  
Brian Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Numeric Rating Scale ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Heat Pain Threshold ◽  
The Relationship

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent cause of chronic pain and disability in people aged ≥45 years, with the knee being the most affected joint. Neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, have been shown to significantly affect chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between resting plasma BDNF levels and clinical pain and quantitative sensory testing measures in older adults with knee OA pain. For this secondary analysis, a previously reported dataset was used comprised of older adults with knee OA who underwent quantitative sensory testing. A comprehensive generalized linear model (GLM) was built to understand the relationships between BDNF and important covariates, followed by the elastic net (EN) method for variable selection. GLM was then performed to regress BDNF levels against only the variables selected by EN. The mean age of the sample was 60.4 years ( SD = 9.1). Approximately half of the participants were female (53%). Plasma BDNF levels were positively associated with heat pain threshold and the numeric rating scale of pain. Future mechanistic studies are needed to replicate and extend these findings to advance our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of BDNF in knee OA and other chronic pain conditions.

scholarly journals Quantitative Sensory Testing of Spinal Cord and Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in Chronic Pain Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishwanath Sankarasubramanian ◽  
Srinivas Chiravuri ◽  
Ehsan Mirzakhalili ◽  
Carlos J. Anaya ◽  
John Ryan Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglion ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Pain Patients

scholarly journals Ejaculatory Pain

2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eske K. Aasvang ◽  
Bo Møhl ◽  
Henrik Kehlet
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Groin Hernia ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Pain Detection

Background Sexual dysfunction due to ejaculatory and genital pain after groin hernia surgery may occur in approximately 2.5% of patients. However, the specific psychosexological and neurophysiologic characteristics have not been described, thereby precluding assessment of pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies. Methods Ten patients with severe pain-related sexual dysfunction and ejaculatory pain were assessed in detail by quantitative sensory testing and interviewed by a psychologist specialized in evaluating sexual functional disorders and were compared with a control group of 20 patients with chronic pain after groin hernia repair but without sexual dysfunction, to identify sensory changes associated with ejaculatory pain. Results Quantitative sensory testing showed significantly higher thermal and mechanical detection thresholds and lowered mechanical pain detection thresholds in both groups compared with the nonpainful side. Pressure pain detection threshold and tolerance were significantly lower in the ejaculatory pain group compared with the control group. 'The maximum pain was specifically located at the external inguinal annulus in all ejaculatory pain patients, but not in controls. The psychosexual interview revealed no major psychosexual disturbances and concluded that the pain was of somatic origin. All patients with ejaculatory pain had experienced major negative life changes and deterioration in their overall quality of life and sexual function as a result of the hernia operation. Conclusions Postherniotomy ejaculatory pain and pain-related sexual dysfunction is a specific chronic pain state that may be caused by pathology involving the vas deferens and/or nerve damage. Therapeutic strategies should therefore include neuropathic pain treatment and/or surgical exploration.

Development of a novel brief quantitative sensory testing protocol that integrates static and dynamic pain assessments: Test-retest performance in healthy adults

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J De Vita ◽  
Katherine Buckheit ◽  
Christina E Gilmour ◽  
Dezarie Moskal ◽  
Stephen A Maisto
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Sensory Testing ◽  
Temporal Summation ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Modulation ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Conditioned Pain Modulation ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Contact Heat ◽  
Intraclass Correlations

Abstract Objective Quantitative sensory testing is an expanding pain research domain with numerous clinical and research applications. There is a recognized need for brief reliable quantitative sensory testing protocols that enhance assessment feasibility. This study aimed to integrate static (pain threshold, tolerance, suprathreshold) and dynamic (conditioned pain modulation, offset analgesia, temporal summation) pain reactivity measures into a brief 20-minute protocol that uses a single portable device. The test-retest performance of this optimized protocol was evaluated. Design Using a test-retest design, the brief quantitative sensory testing assessment was administered to participants on two occasions separated by exactly 7 days. Setting A clinical psychology research laboratory at Syracuse University. Subjects Participants were 33 healthy adults recruited from Syracuse University’s online research participation pool. Methods A portable computerized quantitative sensory testing device delivered contact-heat pain to assess static and dynamic pain measures in participants. Dynamic responses were continuously recorded using a computerized visual analog scale. Results Pain threshold, tolerance, and suprathreshold exhibited excellent reliability (intraclass correlations ranged from 0.80 to 0.83). Conditioned pain modulation, offset analgesia, temporal summation yielded reliability in the good to excellent range (intraclass correlations ranged from 0.66 to 0.71). Conclusions Findings suggested that this brief integrated QST protocol may reliably monitor human pain reactivity over brief periods. This protocol may enhance quantitative sensory testing feasibility in clinical and research settings.

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