European journal of pain : EJP
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Conditioned pain modulation is not decreased after partial sleep restriction.
Sleep problems have been identified as a risk factor for several chronic pain conditions. Reduced sleep has been related to increased pain perception and it has been hypothesized that reduced pain inhibition may explain this. The aim of this study was to determine if sleep restriction (SR) affects heat pain perception and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). ⋯ The results indicate that SR leads to increased heat pain perception, but not reduced inhibitory CPM. This contradicts general assumptions on the relation between SR and the CPM effect.
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Methods for the detection of the temporal and spatial generation of painful symptoms are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of painful neuropathies and to aid preclinical screening of molecular therapeutics. ⋯ Using in vivo luminescent imaging of NF-κB activity and serum cytokine measures, this work establishes NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated cytokines as novel multivariate biomarkers of pain-related sensitivity in this model of neuropathy that may be useful for the rapid screening of novel molecular therapeutics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Involvement of α2 -adrenoceptors in inhibitory and facilitatory pain modulation processes.
In healthy humans, high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the forearm not only produces hyperalgesia at the site of stimulation but also reduces sensitivity to pressure-pain on the ipsilateral side of the forehead. In addition, HFS augments the ipsilateral trigeminal nociceptive blink reflex and intensifies the ipsilateral component of conditioned pain modulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether α2-adrenoceptors mediate these ipsilateral nociceptive influences. ⋯ These findings imply involvement of α2-adrenoceptors both in ipsilateral antinociceptive and pronociceptive pain modulation processes. However, a mechanism not involving α2-adrenoceptors appears to mediate analgesia in the ipsilateral forehead after HFS.
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Physical activity is thought to play a role in spinal pain (neck pain, mid back pain, low back pain) in children and adolescents, either as a risk or protective factor, but current evidence is conflicting. The overall aim of this study was to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between different levels of objectively measured physical activity, i.e. sedentary; moderate and vigorous; vigorous physical activity, and spinal pain in 11-15-year-old Danes. ⋯ Objectively measured physical activity was not associated with spinal pain. However, it remains to be seen whether there is an association over a longer follow-up period. Future research should focus on the more qualitative aspects of physical activity, such as different sports activities.
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Musculoskeletal pain conditions are common and create substantial burden for the individual and society. While research has shown concordance between couples for risk of some diseases, e.g. heart disease or diabetes, little information is available on such effects for musculoskeletal pain conditions. Our aims were to investigate the presence of concordance between couples for consultations about pain, and to examine theoretical influences on such concordance. ⋯ Results show that partner concordance is present for consultations for some musculoskeletal conditions but not others. Possible explanations for concordance include the shared health behaviours between couples leading to potential heightened awareness of symptoms. Given the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain within populations, it may be worth considering further the mechanisms that explain partner concordance.