European journal of pain : EJP
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The nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) is a spinal reflex induced by painful stimuli resulting in an appropriate withdrawal response. The NFR is considered to be an objective physiological correlate of spinal nociception. Previous research has already demonstrated that physical activity (PA) can influence pain assessments. To date, no studies have directly examined the relationship between PA and spinal nociception. Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether the NFR threshold can be predicted by report-based and monitor-based measures of PA in healthy adults. ⋯ The present study provides preliminary evidence that the influencing effects of physical activity on pain are the result of a strong descending control and do not purely rely on supraspinal mechanisms. These study results highlight the importance of considering physical activity levels when evaluating nociceptive processing, given the prognostic value of physical activity in spinal nociception. Furthermore, this study encourages future research to examine the effects of moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise programmes on spinal nociception in chronic pain populations.
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This study determines the prevalence and particularities of headache and pain with neuropathic characteristics (NC) in a large French group of patients with pituitary adenoma (PA). ⋯ Migraine headaches and neuropathic pain are more common in PA patients than in the general population and are generally poorly treated. A systematic screening for migraine should be done by physicians in daily practice to provide adequate therapeutics.
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The adolescent years represent a key period for the development of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) and the differences between boys and girls. We evaluated the prevalence and course of MSC and factors associated with MSC while growing up from age 11 to age 20. ⋯ Measuring a group of youngsters 4 times between age 11 and 20 shows an increase in the percentage reporting musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) with a widening gap between girls and boys, with more pain among girls. Boys and girls do hardly differ with respect to factors associated with MSC, being mainly psychosocial factors and (sports) accidents.
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Observational Study
Sensory and pain modulation profiles of ongoing central neuropathic extremity pain in multiple sclerosis.
Central neuropathic extremity pain (CNEP) is the most frequent type of pain in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate sensory and pain modulation profiles in MS patients with CNEP. ⋯ This article presents higher prevalence of the 'sensory loss' prototypic sensory phenotype in multiple sclerosis patients with central extremity neuropathic pain compared to pain-free patients. Higher degree of disability underlines the possible role of higher lesion load in the somatosensory pathways in this particular 'deafferentation' type of central neuropathic pain.