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Janssen RMJ, Lustenhouwer R, Cup EHC, van Alfen N, Ijspeert J, Helmich RC, Cameron IGM, Geurts ACH, van Engelen BGM, Graff MJL, Groothuis JT. Effectiveness of an outpatient rehabilitation programme in patients with neuralgic amyotrophy and scapular dyskinesia: a randomised controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:474-481. [PMID: 36697215 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is an acute inflammation of nerves within the brachial plexus territory leading to severe pain and multifocal paresis resulting in >60% of patients having residual complaints and functional limitations correlated with scapular dyskinesia. Our primary aim was to compare the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MR), focused on motor relearning to improve scapular dyskinesia and self-management strategies for reducing pain and fatigue, with usual care (UC) on shoulder, arm and hand functional capability in patients with NA. METHODS In a non-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT), patients with NA (aged≥18 years, scapular dyskinesia, >8 weeks after onset) were randomised to either an MR or an UC group. MR consisted of a diagnostic multidisciplinary consultation and eight sessions of physical and occupational therapy. Primary outcome was functional capability of the shoulder, arm and hand assessed with the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire-Dutch Language Version (SRQ-DLV). RESULTS We included 47 patients with NA; due to drop-out, there were 22 participants in MR and 15 in UC for primary analysis. The mean group difference adjusted for sex, age and SRQ-DLV baseline score was 8.60 (95%CI: 0.26 to 16.94, p=0.044). The proportion attaining a minimal clinically relevant SRQ-DLV improvement (≥12) was larger for the MR group (59%) than the UC group (33%) with a number needed to treat of 4. CONCLUSION This RCT shows that an MR programme focused on motor relearning to improve scapular dyskinesia, combined with self-management strategies for reducing pain and fatigue, shows more beneficial effects on shoulder, arm and hand functional capability than UC in patients with NA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03441347.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske M J Janssen
- Rehabilitation, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renee Lustenhouwer
- Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Science, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edith H C Cup
- Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Ijspeert
- Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick C Helmich
- Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ian G M Cameron
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander C H Geurts
- Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maud J L Graff
- Rehabilitation, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan T Groothuis
- Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Lustenhouwer R, Cameron IG, van Alfen N, Toni I, Geurts AC, van Engelen BG, Groothuis JT, Helmich RC. Cerebral Adaptation Associated with Peripheral Nerve Recovery in Neuralgic Amyotrophy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2023; 37:3-15. [PMID: 36575812 PMCID: PMC9896536 DOI: 10.1177/15459683221145149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a common peripheral nerve disorder caused by auto-immune inflammation of nerves in the brachial plexus territory, characterized by acute pain and weakness of the shoulder muscles, followed by motor impairment. Recent work has confirmed that NA patients with residual motor dysfunction have abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations of their affected upper extremity. OBJECTIVE To determine whether abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations associated with NA can be altered by specialized, multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation focused on relearning motor control. METHODS 27 NA patients with residual lateralized symptoms in the right upper extremity participated in a randomized controlled trial, comparing 17 weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (n = 16) to usual care (n = 11). We used task-based functional MRI and a hand laterality judgment task, which involves motor imagery and is sensitive to altered cerebral sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity. RESULTS Change in task performance and related brain activity did not differ significantly between the multidisciplinary rehabilitation and usual care groups, whereas the multidisciplinary rehabilitation group showed significantly greater clinical improvement on the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire. Both groups, however, showed a significant improvement in task performance from baseline to follow-up, and significantly increased activity in visuomotor occipito-parietal brain areas, both specific to their affected upper extremity. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal cerebral sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity after peripheral nerve damage in NA can recover toward normality. As adaptations occurred in visuomotor brain areas, multidisciplinary rehabilitation after peripheral nerve damage may be further optimized by applying visuomotor strategies. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03441347).
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee Lustenhouwer
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands,Donders Centre for Cognitive
Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud
University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ian G.M. Cameron
- Donders Centre for Cognitive
Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud
University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands,Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Enschede, The
Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Centre for Cognitive
Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud
University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander C.H. Geurts
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Baziel G.M. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan T. Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands,Jan T. Groothuis, Radboud university
medical center, Department of Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB,
The Netherlands.
| | - Rick C. Helmich
- Donders Centre for Cognitive
Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud
University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands,Department of Neurology, Radboud
university medical center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour,
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Akcay S, Koskderelioglu A, Ince B, Elif Saka F, Eskut N, Goksel Karatepe A. Is the left/right judgment task performance altered in unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome: And associated with symptom severity? Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2022; 62:102641. [PMID: 35961062 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Left/right judgment task performance (LRJT) is impaired in severe neuropathic pain conditions. However, comparison of LRJT performance in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with a control group with similar cognitive functions has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to compare the LRJT performance of CTS patients with healthy controls and the unaffected side. METHODS Seventy-five CTS patients with dominant, right-hand involvement and 75 control subjects were included in the study. The Recognize® tablet application was used for LRJT performance. Tactile acuity (Two-point discrimination) and handgrip strength; pain severity (Visual Analog Scale) and neuropathic component of pain (Pain Detect Questionnaire); symptom severity and functional impact of CTS (Boston CTS Assessment Test) were evaluated. Mixed-design ANOVAs and correlation analyses were used for data analysis. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. RESULTS Analysis of variance showed that there was no significant effect of side (affected versus unaffected) or group (CTS versus control group) on recognition accuracy or time. Significant group*site interactions were found for the two-point discrimination F (1,148) = 6.388, p = 0.013; and for handgrip strength F (1,148) = 17.552, p < 0.01. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between recognition accuracy and symptom duration and a significant positive correlation was found between recognition accuracy and handgrip strength in CTS patients (r = -0.267, p = 0.020; r = 0.290, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION CTS patients recognize the affected side as accurately and quickly as the unaffected side and control group. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between LRJT performance in the severely affected CTS group. GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04967144 CLINICALTRIALS. GOV REGISTRATION DATE 19 July 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seniz Akcay
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Asli Koskderelioglu
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Bugra Ince
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Fikriye Elif Saka
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Neslihan Eskut
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Altinay Goksel Karatepe
- University of Health Sciences, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
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Chen YH, Liang WA, Lin CR, Huang CY. A randomized controlled trial of scapular exercises with electromyography biofeedback in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8241-8250. [PMID: 35821447 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07263-4] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the effects of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on scapular positions and muscle activities during scapular-focused exercises in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction. METHODS Twenty-four participants were randomly allocated to the motor-control with biofeedback group (N = 12) or the motor-control group (N = 12) immediately after neck dissection. Each group performed scapular-focused exercises with conscious control of scapular orientation for 3 months. EMG biofeedback of upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and lower trapezius (LT) was provided in the motor-control with biofeedback group. Scapular symmetry measured by modified lateral scapular slide test; shoulder pain; active range of motion (AROM) of shoulder abduction; upper extremity function; maximal isometric muscle strength of UT, MT, and LT; and muscle activities during arm elevation/lowering in the scapular plane were evaluated at baseline and the end of the intervention. RESULTS After the 3-month intervention, only the motor-control with biofeedback group showed improving scapular symmetry. Although both groups did not show significant improvement in shoulder pain, increased AROM of shoulder abduction and muscle strength of the UT and MT were observed in both groups. In addition, only the motor-control with biofeedback group had improved LT muscle strength, upper extremity function, and reduced UT and MT muscle activations during arm elevation/lowering. CONCLUSIONS Early interventions for scapular control training significantly improved shoulder mobility and trapezius muscle strength. Furthermore, by adding EMG biofeedback to motor-control training, oral cancer patients demonstrated greater effectiveness in stabilizing scapular position, muscle efficiency, and upper extremity function than motor-control training alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION Institutional Review Board: This study was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board (Approval No: 201901788A3. Approval Date: 2 January, 2020). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04476004. Initial released Date: 16 July, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Hsia Chen
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.,Rehabilitation Center, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-An Liang
- Rehabilitation Center, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Rung Lin
- Rehabilitation Center, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ya Huang
- School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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Vittersø AD, Halicka M, Buckingham G, Proulx MJ, Bultitude JH. The sensorimotor theory of pathological pain revisited. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104735. [PMID: 35705110 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Harris (1999) proposed that pain can arise in the absence of tissue damage because changes in the cortical representation of the painful body part lead to incongruences between motor intention and sensory feedback. This idea, subsequently termed the sensorimotor theory of pain, has formed the basis for novel treatments for pathological pain. Here we review the evidence that people with pathological pain have changes to processes contributing to sensorimotor function: motor function, sensory feedback, cognitive representations of the body and its surrounding space, multisensory processing, and sensorimotor integration. Changes to sensorimotor processing are most evident in the form of motor deficits, sensory changes, and body representations distortions, and for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and low back pain. Many sensorimotor changes are related to cortical processing, pain, and other clinical characteristics. However, there is very limited evidence that changes in sensorimotor processing actually lead to pain. We therefore propose that the theory is more appropriate for understanding why pain persists rather than how it arises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel D Vittersø
- Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom; Department of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Oslo New University College, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Monika Halicka
- Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Buckingham
- Department of Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Proulx
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom; Centre for Real and Virtual Environments Augmentation Labs, Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Janet H Bultitude
- Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
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IJspeert J, Lustenhouwer R, Janssen RM, Han JJ, Hatch MN, Cameron I, Helmich RC, van Engelen B, van der Wees P, Geurts ACH, van Alfen N, Groothuis JT. Reachable workspace analysis is a potential measurement for impairment of the upper extremity in neuralgic amyotrophy. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:282-288. [PMID: 35665519 PMCID: PMC9544162 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a multifocal neuropathy involving the nerves of the upper extremity, limiting functional capability and reducing range of motion. The reachable workspace (RWS) is a computerized three-dimensinal analysis system that evaluates the relative surface area (RSA) of an individual's arm reachability and has shown utility in several neuromuscular disorders. The aims of this study were to examine the ability of the RWS to quantitatively detect limitations in upper extremity active range of motion in patients with NA, and correlate these with other upper extremity functional outcome measures. METHODS Forty-seven patients with NA and 25 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were measured with the RWS. Study participants' RSAs were correlated with scores on the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ), the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and upper extremity strength measurements using hand-held dynamometry. RESULTS Patients with NA showed significantly lower values in the affected arm for all quadrants (except for the ipsilateral lower quadrant) and total RSA compared with controls (P < 0.001). We found moderate correlations between the reachable workspace, the DASH questionnaire result (r = -0.415), and serratus anterior muscle strength (r = 0.414). DISCUSSION RWS is able to detect limitations in active range of motion of the affected arm in patients with NA, and is moderately correlated with upper extremity functional measures. RWS can demonstrate impairment of the affected upper extremity in NA and it has potential as a clinical outcome measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos IJspeert
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, GA, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Renee Lustenhouwer
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, GA, 6525, The Netherlands.,Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renske M Janssen
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jay J Han
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California
| | - Maya N Hatch
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California
| | - Ian Cameron
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick C Helmich
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Philip van der Wees
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander C H Geurts
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, GA, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan T Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, GA, 6525, The Netherlands
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Lustenhouwer R, Cameron IGM, Wolfs E, van Alfen N, Toni I, Geurts ACH, van Engelen BGM, Groothuis JT, Helmich RC. OUP accepted manuscript. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac034. [PMID: 35233524 PMCID: PMC8882006 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuralgic amyotrophy is a common peripheral nerve disorder caused by autoimmune inflammation of the brachial plexus, clinically characterized by acute pain and weakness of the shoulder muscles, followed by motor impairment. Despite recovery of the peripheral nerves, patients often have residual motor dysfunction of the upper extremity, leading to persistent pain related to altered biomechanics of the shoulder region. Building on clinical signs that suggest a role for cerebral mechanisms in these residual complaints, here we show and characterize cerebral alterations following neuralgic amyotrophy. Neuralgic amyotrophy patients often develop alternative motor strategies, which suggests that (mal)adaptations may occur in somatomotor and/or visuomotor brain areas. Here, we tested where changes in cerebral sensorimotor representations occur in neuralgic amyotrophy, while controlling for altered motor execution due to peripheral neuropathy. We additionally explore the relation between potential cerebral alterations in neuralgic amyotrophy and clinical symptoms. During functional MRI scanning, 39 neuralgic amyotrophy patients with persistent, lateralized symptoms in the right upper extremity and 23 matched healthy participants solved a hand laterality judgement task that can activate sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity, across somatomotor and visuomotor brain areas. Behavioural and cerebral responses confirmed the involvement of embodied, sensorimotor processes across groups. Compared with healthy participants, neuralgic amyotrophy patients were slower in hand laterality judgement and had decreased cerebral activity specific to their affected limb in two higher-order visual brain regions: the right extrastriate cortex and the parieto-occipital sulcus. Exploratory analyses revealed that across patients, extrastriate activity specific to the affected limb decreased as persistent pain increased, and affected limb-related parieto-occipital activity decreased as imagery performance of the affected limb became slower. These findings suggest that maladaptive cerebral plasticity in visuomotor areas involved in sensorimotor integration plays a role in residual motor dysfunction and subsequent persistent pain in neuralgic amyotrophy. Rehabilitation interventions that apply visuomotor strategies to improve sensorimotor integration may help to treat neuralgic amyotrophy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee Lustenhouwer
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ian G. M. Cameron
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, PO BOX 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Elze Wolfs
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander C. H. Geurts
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G. M. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan T. Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick C. Helmich
- Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence to: Rick Helmich Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands E-mail:
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8
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Beisheim E, Pohlig R, Medina J, Hicks G, Sions J. Body representation among adults with phantom limb pain: Results from a foot identification task. Eur J Pain 2022; 26:255-269. [PMID: 34490685 PMCID: PMC8671232 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired body representation (i.e. disrupted body awareness or perception) may be a critical, but understudied, factor underlying phantom limb pain (PLP). This cross-sectional study investigated whether adults with lower-limb loss (LLL) and PLP demonstrate impaired body representation as compared to Pain-Free peers with and without LLL. METHODS Participants (n = 41 adults with PLP, n = 27 Pain-Free peers with LLL, n = 39 Controls with intact limbs) completed an online foot identification task. Participants judged whether randomized images depicted left or right feet (i.e. left-right discrimination) as quickly as possible without limb movement. Using two Generalized Estimating Equations, effects of group, image characteristics (i.e. side, foot type, view, angle) and trial block (i.e. 1-4) were evaluated, with task response time and accuracy as dependent variables (a ≤ 0.050). RESULTS Adults with PLP demonstrated slower and less accurate performance as compared to Controls with intact limbs (p = 0.018) but performed similarly to Pain-Free peers with LLL (p = 0.394). Significant three-way interactions of group, view and angle indicated between-group differences were greatest for dorsal-view images, but smaller and angle-dependent for plantar-view images. While all groups demonstrated significant response time improvements across blocks, improvements were greatest among adults with PLP, who also reported significant reductions in pain intensity. CONCLUSIONS Adults with PLP demonstrate body representation impairments as compared to Controls with intact limbs. Body representation impairments, however, may not be unique to PLP, given similar performance between adults with and without PLP following LLL. SIGNIFICANCE Following lower-limb loss, adults with phantom limb pain (PLP) demonstrate impaired body representation as compared to Controls with intact limbs, evidenced by slower response times and reduced accuracy when completing a task requiring mental rotation. Importantly, 80% of participants with pre-task PLP reported reduced pain intensity during the task, providing compelling evidence for future investigations into whether imagery-based, mind-body interventions have positive effects on PLP.
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Affiliation(s)
- E.H. Beisheim
- University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy, 540 South College Avenue, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - R.T. Pohlig
- University of Delaware Biostatistics Core, 102B STAR Tower, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - J. Medina
- University of Delaware Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 105 The Green, Room 108, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - G.E. Hicks
- University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy, 540 South College Avenue, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - J.M. Sions
- University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy, 540 South College Avenue, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
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HEV-Associated Neuralgic Amyotrophy: A Multicentric Case Series. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060672. [PMID: 34070707 PMCID: PMC8230081 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) has been described as a possible extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Usually, HEV-associated NA occurs bilaterally. The clinical characteristics determining the course of HEV-associated NA have still not been defined. Methods: In this retrospective multicentric case series, 16 patients with HEV-associated NA were studied and compared to 176 HEV patients without NA in terms of their age, sex, and ALT levels. Results: Neither gender distribution (75% vs. 67% male) nor age (47 vs. 48 years median) differed significantly between the NA patients and controls. Eight NA patients (50%) presented with bilateral involvement—seven of these had right-side dominance and one had left-side dominance. Thirteen cases (81%) were hospitalized. Eight of these patients stayed in hospital for five to seven days, and five patients stayed for up to two weeks. The time from the onset of NA to the HEV diagnosis, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic proceedings, showed a large variability. In total, 13 (81%) patients received treatment: 1/13 (8%) received intravenous immunoglobulins, 8/13 (62%) received glucocorticoids, 3/13 (23%) received ribavirin, and 6/13 (46%) received pregabalin/gabapentin. Patients with ages above the median (47 years) were more likely to be treated (p = 0.001). Conclusion: HEV-associated NA causes a relevant morbidity. In our case series neither the type of treatment nor the time of initiation of therapy had a significant effect on the duration of hospitalization or the course of the disease. The clinical presentation, the common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and the patients’ characteristics showed large variability, demonstrating the necessity of standardized protocols for this rare but relevant disease.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review focuses on the current insights and developments in neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), an auto-immune multifocal peripheral nervous system disorder that leaves many patients permanently impaired if not recognized and treated properly. RECENT FINDINGS NA is not as rare as previously thought. The phenotype is broad, and recent nerve imaging developments suggest that NA is the most common cause of acute anterior or posterior interosseous nerve palsy. Phrenic nerve involvement occurs in 8% of all NA patients, often with debilitating consequences. Acute phase treatment of NA with steroids or i.v. immunoglobulin may benefit patients. Long-term consequences are the rule, and persisting symptoms are mainly caused by a combination of decreased endurance in the affected nerves and an altered posture and movement pattern, not by the axonal damage itself. Patients benefit from specific rehabilitation treatment. For nerves that do not recover, surgery may be an option. SUMMARY NA is not uncommon, and has a long-term impact on patients' well-being. Early immunomodulating treatment, and identifying phrenic neuropathy or complete nerve paralysis is important for optimal recovery. For persistent symptoms a specific treatment strategy aiming at regaining an energy balance and well-coordinated scapular movement are paramount.
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