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Lin N, Cavaleri R, Rio E, Stanton TR, Imam J, Moukhaiber N, Thomson D, Williamson C, Andary T, Summers SJ. The relationship between sustained hamstring pain and reorganisation of somatosensory representations: a randomised, controlled study. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00639. [PMID: 38968398 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Recurrent hamstring injuries are highly prevalent amongst sporting populations. It has been hypothesised that pain from an initial hamstring injury may induce reorganisation of somatosensory representations that could contribute to reinjury. However, because of the cross-sectional nature of existing research, it remains unknown whether somatosensory changes are a cause or effect of pain or if they are driven by other potentially confounding factors. Here, we explored the effect of experimentally induced sustained hamstring pain on tasks that interrogate somatosensory and spatial representations. Fifty healthy participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group that performed an eccentric exercise protocol on the right hamstring to induce delayed onset muscle soreness or a control group performing a repetition-matched concentric exercise protocol. The tactile cortical representation was assessed using two-point discrimination and tactile localisation, whereas the proprioceptive representation was assessed using a left-right judgement task. Peripersonal spatial representations were assessed using an auditory localisation task. Assessments were performed at baseline and day 2. No between-group differences in tactile acuity were observed. However, improvements in left-right judgments and worsening of auditory localisation occurred in the experimental group compared with the control group. This study provides preliminary evidence showing that somatosensory changes occur in response to sustained hamstring pain. Experimentally induced, sustained hamstring pain elicited enhancements in proprioceptive processing and deficits in peripersonal spatial processing, suggesting a shift in the allocation of attentional resources from the external (peripersonal) to internal (body) environment. These findings may hold important implications for reinjury risk and rehabilitation following hamstring pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Lin
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rocco Cavaleri
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ebonie Rio
- La Trobe University Melbourne, School of Allied Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tasha R Stanton
- University of South Australia, IIMPACT in Health, South Australia, Australia
- Persistent Pain Research Group, Hopwood Centre for Neurobiology, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), South Australia, Australia
| | - Jawwad Imam
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nadia Moukhaiber
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Thomson
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cody Williamson
- Macarthur Football Club, A-League, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Toni Andary
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon J Summers
- Western Sydney University, Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, New South Wales, Australia
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland, Australia
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Paredes Sanchez J, Titmus M, Lawson-Smith H, Di Pietro F. Tactile acuity improves during acute experimental pain of the limb. Pain Rep 2023; 8:e1091. [PMID: 38225958 PMCID: PMC10789456 DOI: 10.1097/pr9.0000000000001091] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic pain is associated with poor tactile acuity, commonly measured with the 2-point discrimination (TPD) test. Although poor tactile acuity across chronic pain conditions is well established, less is known in acute pain. Objective Recent conflicting findings in experimentally induced neck and back pain led us to conduct a TPD investigation in experimentally induced limb pain. We hypothesised altered TPD during experimental upper limb pain, but we did not speculate on the direction of the change. Methods Thirty healthy subjects immersed their dominant hand in a circulating cold-water bath at 7°C (cold pressor test [CPT]). Two-point discrimination was measured at baseline (pre-CPT), during pain (during-CPT), and after withdrawal from the water (post-CPT) in 3 different sites: (1) the dominant forearm, (2) dominant arm and (3) contralateral forearm. Results Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of time (F(2,56) = 4.45, P = 0.02, η p 2 = 0.14) on TPD; in all 3 sites, TPD values decreased (ie, tactile acuity improved) during pain. Interestingly, the contralateral forearm followed a similar pattern to the dominant (ie, painful) forearm, and furthermore was the only site that exhibited any correlation with pain, albeit in an intriguing direction (r = 0.57, P = 0.001), ie, the greater the pain the worse the tactile acuity. Conclusion The improvements in tactile acuity during experimentally induced limb pain may reflect a protective response. The changes in the corresponding site in the contralateral limb may reflect a protective spinal cross talk. Such a response, together with the interesting relationship between tactile acuity and pain, warrant further inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morgan Titmus
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Flavia Di Pietro
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI), Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
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Jakub K, Oskar S, Mariola S, Damian S, Edward S. Reliabilities of the Two-Point Discrimination Test and the Two-Point Estimation Test for Use in the Lumbar Spine Area in Healthy Young Adults. Percept Mot Skills 2023; 130:208-220. [PMID: 36114162 DOI: 10.1177/00315125221127775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Two-point discrimination (TPD) testing and two-point estimation (TPE) methods are often used to determine tactile acuity, but their reliability is uncertain. Our aim in this study was to assess the reliability of TPD and TPE measurements in the same lumbar spine region of healthy young adults. Participants were 37 young adults (16 females and 21 males; age range: 20-27 years - M age = 21.65, SD = 1.9), who received two tests (TPD and TPE) to determine their tactile acuity. The tests were performed in the lumbar spine area, at the level of the L3 segment, bilaterally, with a 10-minute interval between the measurements. The first test session assessed the reliability of measurements performed by two examiners (inter-rater reliability); and, after 7 days, another examiner repeated the measurements (intra-rater reliability). The reliability of both tests was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and results revealed high intra-rater, and inter-rater repeatability for immediate administration of TPD and TPE tests (i.e, after 10 minutes) and moderate repeatability when they were performed at a 7-day interval. Thus, we confirmed high reliability of TPD and TPE assessments of tactile acuity repeated at a short time interval and moderate reliability after 7 days. There was slightly higher reliability for the TPE method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koterba Jakub
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, 69719Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Saulicz Oskar
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, 69719Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.,69719NZOZ "MED8" Miechowice, Bytom, Poland
| | - Saulicz Mariola
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, 69719Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sikora Damian
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, 69719Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Saulicz Edward
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, 69719Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
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Olthof NA, Coppieters MW, Moseley GL, Sterling M, Chippindall DJ, Harvie DS. Modernising tactile acuity assessment; clinimetrics of semi-automated tests and effects of age, sex and anthropometry on performance. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12192. [PMID: 35070517 PMCID: PMC8759376 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reduced tactile acuity has been observed in several chronic pain conditions and has been proposed as a clinical indicator of somatosensory impairments related to the condition. As some interventions targeting these impairments have resulted in pain reduction, assessing tactile acuity may have significant clinical potential. While two-point discrimination threshold (TPDT) is a popular method of assessing tactile acuity, large measurement error has been observed (impeding responsiveness) and its validity has been questioned. The recently developed semi-automated ‘imprint Tactile Acuity Device’ (iTAD) may improve tactile acuity assessment, but clinimetric properties of its scores (accuracy score, response time and rate correct score) need further examination. Aims Experiment 1: To determine inter-rater reliability and measurement error of TPDT and iTAD assessments. Experiment 2: To determine internal consistencies and floor or ceiling effects of iTAD scores, and investigate effects of age, sex, and anthropometry on performance. Methods Experiment 1: To assess inter-rater reliability (ICC(2,1)) and measurement error (coefficient of variation (CoV)), three assessors each performed TPDT and iTAD assessments at the neck in forty healthy participants. Experiment 2: To assess internal consistency (ICC(2,k)) and floor or ceiling effects (skewness z-scores), one hundred healthy participants performed the iTAD’s localisation and orientation tests. Balanced for sex, participants were equally divided over five age brackets (18–30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60 and 61–70). Age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and neck surface area were assessed to examine their direct (using multiple linear regression analysis) and indirect (using sequential mediation analysis) relationship with iTAD scores. Results Mean ICC(2,1) was moderate for TPDT (0.70) and moderate-to-good for the various iTAD scores (0.65–0.86). The CoV was 25.3% for TPDT and ranged from 6.1% to 16.5% for iTAD scores. Internal consistency was high for both iTAD accuracy scores (ICC(2,6) = 0.84; ICC(2,4) = 0.86). No overt floor or ceiling effects were detected (all skewness z-scores < 3.29). Accuracy scores were only directly related to age (decreasing with increasing age) and sex (higher for men). Discussion Although reliability was similar, iTAD scores demonstrated less measurement error than TPDT indicating a potential for better responsiveness to treatment effects. Further, unlike previously reported for TPDT, iTAD scores appeared independent of anthropometry, which simplifies interpretation. Additionally, the iTAD assesses multiple aspects of tactile processing which may provide a more comprehensive evaluation of tactile acuity. Taken together, the iTAD shows promise in measuring tactile acuity, but patient studies are needed to verify clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick A. Olthof
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Michel W. Coppieters
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Lorimer Moseley
- IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, Kaurna Country, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury Recovery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dylan J. Chippindall
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel S. Harvie
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane and Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
- IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, Kaurna Country, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Cavaleri R, Chipchase LS, Summers SJ, Chalmers J, Schabrun SM. The Relationship Between Corticomotor Reorganization and Acute Pain Severity: A Randomized, Controlled Study Using Rapid Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Mapping. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 22:1312-1323. [PMID: 33367763 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaa425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although acute pain has been shown to reduce corticomotor excitability, it remains unknown whether this response resolves over time or is related to symptom severity. Furthermore, acute pain research has relied upon data acquired from the cranial "hotspot," which do not provide valuable information regarding reorganization, such as changes to the distribution of a painful muscle's representation within M1. Using a novel, rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) mapping method, this study aimed to 1) explore the temporal profile and variability of corticomotor reorganization in response to acute pain and 2) determine whether individual patterns of corticomotor reorganization are associated with differences in pain, sensitivity, and somatosensory organization. METHODS Corticomotor (TMS maps), pain processing (pain intensity, pressure pain thresholds), and somatosensory (two-point discrimination, two-point estimation) outcomes were taken at baseline, immediately after injection (hypertonic [n = 20] or isotonic saline [n = 20]), and at pain resolution. Follow-up measures were recorded every 15 minutes until 90 minutes after injection. RESULTS Corticomotor reorganization persisted at least 90 minutes after pain resolution. Corticomotor depression was associated with lower pain intensity than was corticomotor facilitation (r = 0.47 [P = 0.04]). These effects were not related to somatosensory reorganization or peripheral sensitization mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Individual patterns of corticomotor reorganization during acute pain appear to be related to symptom severity, with early corticomotor depression possibly reflecting a protective response. These findings hold important implications for the management and potential prevention of pain chronicity. However, further research is required to determine whether these adaptations relate to long-term outcomes in clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Cavaleri
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucy S Chipchase
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Simon J Summers
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Jane Chalmers
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,IIMPACT in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Adamczyk WM, Szikszay TM, Kung T, Carvalho GF, Luedtke K. Not as "blurred" as expected? Acuity and spatial summation in the pain system. Pain 2021; 162:794-802. [PMID: 32925592 PMCID: PMC7920491 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Spatial acuity measured by 2-point discrimination (2PD) threshold and spatial summation of pain (SSp) are useful paradigms to probe the pain system in humans. Whether the results of these paradigms are influenced by different stimulus modalities and intensities is unclear. The aim of this study was to test 2PD controlling the stimulus modality and the intensity and to investigate the effect of modality on SSp. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers were tested for 2PDs with 2 stimulus modalities (electrocutaneous and mechanical) and intensity (noxious and innocuous). For each condition, participants received stimuli to either 1 or 2 points on their lower back with different distances (2-14 cm, steps of 2 cm). It was found that 2PDs were significantly smaller for noxious stimuli for both modalities. By contrast, between-modality comparison reproduced previous reports of impaired acuity for noxious stimulation. Higher pain intensities were reported when a larger area was stimulated (SSp), independent of the modality. Furthermore, reported pain intensities were higher when the distance between 2 stimulated areas was increased from 2 to 6 cm (P < 0.001), 8 cm (P < 0.01), and 14 cm (P < 0.01). 2PDs determined by mechanical and electrocutaneous stimuli were significantly correlated within both stimulus intensities, ie, innocuous (r = 0.34, P < 0.05) and noxious (r = 0.35, P < 0.05). The current results show 3 novel findings: (1) the precision of the pain system might be higher than in the innocuous (tactile) system when mechanical and electrocutaneous modalities are used, (2) the pattern of distance-based and area-based SSp seems to be comparable irrespective of the modality applied (mechanical and electrocutaneous), and (3) both modalities are moderately correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wacław M. Adamczyk
- Department of Health Sciences, Academic Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tibor M. Szikszay
- Department of Health Sciences, Academic Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Tiffany Kung
- BSc Study Program, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Kerstin Luedtke
- Department of Health Sciences, Academic Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research Luebeck (P.E.R.L.), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- Laboratory of Pain Research, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
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Mena-Del Horno S, Balasch-Bernat M, Dueñas L, Reis F, Louw A, Lluch E. Laterality judgement and tactile acuity in patients with frozen shoulder: A cross-sectional study. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2020; 47:102136. [PMID: 32148332 DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disrupted tactile acuity and poor laterality judgement have been shown in several chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions. Whether they are impaired in people with frozen shoulder (FS) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES To determine whether there is impairment in tactile acuity and laterality judgement in subjects with FS. METHODS Thirty-eight subjects with idiopathic FS and 38 sex and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The two-point discrimination threshold (TPDT) over the affected and unaffected shoulder of patients with FS and shoulder of healthy controls was evaluated. In addition, all participants performed a left/right judgment task (LRJT). Independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare group means. Pearson-product moment coefficient correlations between pain intensity and duration and LRJT and TPDT were calculated for the FS group. RESULTS The TPDT over the affected shoulder was significantly increased compared to the unaffected shoulder (mean difference, 3.82 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.53, 7.10; p = .02) and controls (mean difference, 5.80 mm; 95% CI: 1.09, 10.52; p = .02). Patients with FS were less accurate (mean difference, 5.90%; 95% CI: 0.36, 11.43; p = .03) and slower (mean difference, -0.26 s; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.45; p = .01) responding to images of their affected shoulder compared to their unaffected shoulder. No associations were found between pain intensity and duration and either TPDT or laterality judgement. CONCLUSIONS Participants with FS demonstrated reduced tactile acuity and impaired laterality judgement over their affected shoulder compared to their unaffected shoulder. When compared to controls, subjects with FS showed reduced tactile acuity. TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03320200.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Balasch-Bernat
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain; Physiotherapy in Motion, Multi Speciality Research Group (PTinMOTION), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain.
| | - L Dueñas
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain; Physiotherapy in Motion, Multi Speciality Research Group (PTinMOTION), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - F Reis
- Physiotherapy Department, Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Postgraduation Program in Clinical Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - A Louw
- International Spine and Pain Institute, Story City, IA, USA
| | - E Lluch
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain; Physiotherapy in Motion, Multi Speciality Research Group (PTinMOTION), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, Spain; Departments of Human Physiology and Rehabilitation Sciences(1), Vrije Univesiteit Brussels, Brussels "Pain in Motion" International Research Group, Belgium. http://www.paininmotion.be
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