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Luebke L, Lopes CG, Myka Y, Lumma A, Adamczyk WM, Carvalho GF, Scholten-Peeters GGM, Luedtke K, Szikszay TM. Assessing the Influence of Nonischemic A-Fiber Conduction Blockade on Offset Analgesia: An Experimental Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104611. [PMID: 38908497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Offset analgesia (OA) is believed to reflect the efficiency of the endogenous pain modulatory system. However, the underlying mechanisms are still being debated. Previous research suggested both, central and peripheral mechanisms, with the latter involving the influence of specific A-delta-fibers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of a nonischemic A-fiber conduction blockade on the OA response in healthy participants. A total of 52 participants were recruited for an A-fiber conduction blockade via compression of the superficial radial nerve. To monitor fiber-specific peripheral nerve conduction capacity, quantitative sensory testing was performed continuously. Before, during, and after the A-fiber block, an individualized OA paradigm was applied to the dorsum of both hands (blocked and control sides were randomized). The pain intensity of each heat stimulus was evaluated by an electronic visual analog scale. A successful A-fiber conduction blockade was achieved in thirty participants. OA has been verified within time (before, during, and after blockade) and condition (blocked and control side) (P < .01, d > .5). Repeated measurements analysis of variance showed no significant interaction effects between OA within condition and time (P = .24, η²p = .05). Hence, no significant effect of A-fiber blockade was detected on OA during noxious heat stimulation. The results suggest that peripheral A-fiber afferents may play a minor role in OA compared with alternative central mechanisms or other fibers. However, further studies are needed to substantiate a central rather than peripheral influence on OA. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the observation of OA before, during, and after a successful A-fiber conduction blockade in healthy volunteers. A better understanding of the mechanisms of OA and endogenous pain modulation, in general, may help to explain the underlying aspects of pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Luebke
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Clara Gieseke Lopes
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Musculoskeletal Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yasmin Myka
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Annika Lumma
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Wacław M Adamczyk
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany; Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Gabriela F Carvalho
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Safety and Society, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Gwendolyne G M Scholten-Peeters
- Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Musculoskeletal Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tibor M Szikszay
- Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Institute of Health Sciences, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Luebke L, von Selle J, Adamczyk WM, Knorr MJ, Carvalho GF, Gouverneur P, Luedtke K, Szikszay TM. Differential Effects of Thermal Stimuli in Eliciting Temporal Contrast Enhancement: A Psychophysical Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:228-237. [PMID: 37591481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Offset analgesia (OA) is observed when pain relief is disproportional to the reduction of noxious input and is based on temporal contrast enhancement (TCE). This phenomenon is believed to reflect the function of the inhibitory pain modulatory system. However, the mechanisms contributing to this phenomenon remain poorly understood, with previous research focusing primarily on painful stimuli and not generalizing to nonpainful stimuli. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether TCE can be induced by noxious as well as innocuous heat and cold stimuli. Asymptomatic subjects (n = 50) were recruited to participate in 2 consecutive experiments. In the first pilot study (n = 17), the parameters of noxious and innocuous heat and cold stimuli were investigated in order to implement them in the main study. In the second (main) experiment, subjects (n = 33) participated in TCE paradigms consisting of 4 different modalities, including noxious heat (NH), innocuous heat (IH), noxious cold (NC), and innocuous cold (IC). The intensity of the sensations of each thermal modality was assessed using an electronic visual analog scale. TCE was confirmed for NH (P < .001), NC (P = .034), and IC (P = .002). Conversely, TCE could not be shown for IH (P = 1.00). No significant correlation between TCE modalities was found (r < .3, P > .05). The results suggest that TCE can be induced by both painful and nonpainful thermal stimulation but not by innocuous warm temperature. The exact underlying mechanisms need to be clarified. However, among other potential mechanisms, this may be explained by a thermo-specific activation of C-fiber afferents by IH and of A-fiber afferents by IC, suggesting the involvement of A-fibers rather than C-fibers in TCE. More research is needed to confirm a peripheral influence. PERSPECTIVE: This psychophysical study presents the observation of temporal contrast enhancement during NH, NC, and innocuous cold stimuli but not during stimulation with innocuous warm temperatures in healthy volunteers. A better understanding of endogenous pain modulation mechanisms might be helpful in explaining the underlying aspects of pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Luebke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Janne von Selle
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Wacław M Adamczyk
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Schlesien, Poland; Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Moritz J Knorr
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Gabriela F Carvalho
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Safety and Society, Furtwangen University, Furtwangen, Germany
| | - Philip Gouverneur
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Tibor M Szikszay
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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Szikszay TM, Adamczyk WM, Panskus J, Heimes L, David C, Gouverneur P, Luedtke K. Psychological mechanisms of offset analgesia: The effect of expectancy manipulation. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280579. [PMID: 36649306 PMCID: PMC9844857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A frequently used paradigm to quantify endogenous pain modulation is offset analgesia, which is defined as a disproportionate large reduction in pain following a small decrease in a heat stimulus. The aim of this study was to determine whether suggestion influences the magnitude of offset analgesia in healthy participants. A total of 97 participants were randomized into three groups (hypoalgesic group, hyperalgesic group, control group). All participants received four heat stimuli (two constant trials and two offset trials) to the ventral, non-dominant forearm while they were asked to rate their perceived pain using a computerized visual analogue scale. In addition, electrodermal activity was measured during each heat stimulus. Participants in both intervention groups were given a visual and verbal suggestion about the expected pain response in an hypoalgesic and hyperalgesic manner. The control group received no suggestion. In all groups, significant offset analgesia was provoked, indicated by reduced pain ratings (p < 0.001) and enhanced electrodermal activity level (p < 0.01). A significant group difference in the magnitude of offset analgesia was found between the three groups (F[2,94] = 4.81, p < 0.05). Participants in the hyperalgesic group perceived significantly more pain than the hypoalgesic group (p = 0.031) and the control group (p < 0.05). However, the electrodermal activity data did not replicate this trend (p > 0.05). The results of this study indicate that suggestion can be effective to reduce but not increase endogenous pain modulation quantified by offset analgesia in healthy participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor M Szikszay
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Waclaw M Adamczyk
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany.,Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Janina Panskus
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Lotte Heimes
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Carolin David
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Philip Gouverneur
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
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Szikszay TM, Lévénez JLM, Adamczyk WM, Carvalho GF, Luedtke K. Offset analgesia is increased intra-orally. J Oral Rehabil 2022; 49:993-1001. [PMID: 35841379 DOI: 10.1111/joor.13356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Offset analgesia (OA) is commonly used to quantify endogenous pain inhibition. However, the potential role of afferent inputs and the subsequent peripheral factors from different body areas on the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. OBJECTIVES The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the magnitude of OA in four different body areas representing a) glabrous and non-glabrous skin, b) trigeminal and extra-trigeminal areas, and c) intra- and extra-oral tissue. METHODS OA was assessed at the oral mucosa of the lower lip, at the skin of the cheek, the forearm and the palm of the hand in 32 healthy and pain-free participants. OA testing included two trials: (1) a constant trial (30 seconds of constant heat stimulation at an individualized temperature of Pain50 (pain intensity of 50 out of 100)), and (2) an offset trial (10 seconds of individualized Pain50 , followed by 5 seconds at Pain50 +1°C and 15 seconds at Pain50 ). Participants continuously rated their pain during each trial with a computerized visual analog scale. RESULTS A significant OA response was recorded at the oral mucosa (p<0.001, d=1.24), the cheek (p<0.001, d=0.84) and the forearm (p<0.001, d=1.04), but not at the palm (p=0.19, d=0.24). Significant differences were shown for OA recorded at the cheek versus the mucosa (p=0.02), and between palm and mucosa (p=0.007), but not between the remaining areas (p>0.05). CONCLUSION This study suggests that intra-oral endogenous pain inhibition assessed with OA is enhanced and supports the role of peripheral mechanisms contributing to the OA response.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Szikszay
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - J L M Lévénez
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - W M Adamczyk
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - G F Carvalho
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - K Luedtke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Szikszay TM, Adamczyk WM, Lévénez JLM, Gouverneur P, Luedtke K. Temporal properties of pain contrast enhancement using repetitive stimulation. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1437-1447. [PMID: 35535976 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Offset analgesia (OA) is characterized by a disproportionately large reduction in pain following a small decrease in noxious stimulation and is based on temporal pain contrast enhancement (TPCE). The underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are still poorly understood. This study is aiming to investigate whether TPCE can also be induced by repetitive stimulation, i.e., by stimuli clearly separated in time. METHODS A repetitive TPCE paradigm was induced in healthy, pain-free subjects (n = 33) using heat stimuli. Three different interstimulus intervals (ISIs) were used: 5, 15, and 25 seconds. All paradigms were contrasted with a control paradigm without temperature change. Participants continuously rated perceived pain intensity. In addition, electrodermal activity (EDA) was recorded as a surrogate measure of autonomic arousal. RESULTS Temporal pain contrast enhancement was confirmed for ISI 5 seconds (p < 0.001) and ISI 15 seconds (p = 0.005) but not for ISI 25 seconds (p = 0.07), however, the magnitude of TPCE did not differ between ISIs (p = 0.11). A TPCE-like effect was also detected with increased EDA values. CONCLUSIONS TPCE can be induced by repetitive stimulation. This finding may be explained by a combination of the mechanisms underlying the OA and a facilitated pain habituation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor M Szikszay
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universitaet zu Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Waclaw M Adamczyk
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universitaet zu Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.,Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Juliette L M Lévénez
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universitaet zu Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Philip Gouverneur
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), Universitaet zu Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
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Campolo M, Correa L, Gabarrón E, Albayrak M, Quintero-Diaz C, Castellote JM, Casanova-Molla J, Valls-Sole J. Adaptation to tonic heat in healthy subjects and patients with sensory polyneuropathy. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:1056-1068. [PMID: 35263818 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adaptation to a constant sensory stimulus involves many sites along the path of sensory volleys towards perception. The evaluation of such phenomenon may be of clinical interest. We studied adaptation to a constant temperature stimulus in healthy subjects to set normative data, and in patients with sensory polyneuropathy (SPN), as proof of concept. Twenty-six healthy subjects and 26 patients with SPN in the context of chemotherapy treatment with oxaliplatin for colon cancer were instructed to express through an electronic VAS system (eVAS) the level of sensation felt when a thermode set at either 39º, 41º, 43º, 45º or 47º was applied to their ventral forearm. The eVAS recordings showed typically an abrupt onset that slowed to approach maximum sensation and continued with a slow decrease indicating adaptation. The time to respond (TR), the velocity of the initial response (VR), the maximum sensation (MA), the time to reach MA (MAt), the onset of adaptation (AO), and the decrease in the sensation level with respect to MA at 30 s after stimulus application (SL30), were dependent on the temperature level in all subjects. However, patients showed significantly delayed TR, slowed VR, decreased MA, delayed AO, and reduced SL30, with respect to healthy subjects. Differences were more pronounced at low temperature levels, with absent AO in 25 patients vs. 2 healthy subjects at temperatures of 39º and 41ºC. The study of adaptation to a constant temperature stimulus can furnish valuable data for the assessment of SPN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Campolo
- EMG and Neuropathic Pain Unit, Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínic, Barcelona
| | - Lilia Correa
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology. Hospital del Mar, Barcelona
| | - Eva Gabarrón
- EMG and Neuropathic Pain Unit, Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínic, Barcelona
| | - Merve Albayrak
- EMG and Neuropathic Pain Unit, Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínic, Barcelona
| | | | - Juan M Castellote
- Department of Radiology, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanova-Molla
- EMG and Neuropathic Pain Unit, Department of Neurology. Hospital Clínic, Barcelona.,Institut d'Investigació Biomedica August Pi Sunyer, IDIBAPS. Barcelona.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona
| | - Josep Valls-Sole
- Institut d'Investigació Biomedica August Pi Sunyer, IDIBAPS. Barcelona.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona
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