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Murillo C, López-Sola M, Cagnie B, Suñol M, Smeets RJEM, Coppieters I, Cnockaert E, Meeus M, Timmers I. Gray Matter Adaptations to Chronic Pain in People with Whiplash-Associated Disorders are Partially Reversed After Treatment: A Voxel-based Morphometry Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:104471. [PMID: 38232862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.01.336] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Gray matter (GM) changes are often observed in people with chronic spinal pain, including those with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD). These GM adaptations may be reversed with treatment, at least partially. Pain neuroscience education combined with exercise (PNE+Exercise) is an effective treatment, but its neural underlying mechanisms still remain unexplored in CWAD. Here, we performed both cross-sectional and longitudinal voxel-based morphometry to 1) identify potential GM alterations in people with CWAD (n = 63) compared to age- and sex-matched pain-free controls (n = 32), and 2) determine whether these GM alterations might be reversed following PNE+Exercise (compared to conventional physiotherapy). The cross-sectional whole-brain analysis revealed that individuals with CWAD had less GM volume in the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left inferior temporal gyrus which was, in turn, associated with higher pain vigilance. Fifty individuals with CWAD and 29 pain-free controls were retained in the longitudinal analysis. GM in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex increased after treatment in people with CWAD. Moreover, the longitudinal whole-brain analysis revealed that individuals with CWAD had decreases in GM volumes of the left and right central operculum and supramarginal after treatment. These changes were not specific to treatment modality and some were not observed in pain-free controls over time. Herewith, we provide the first evidence on how GM adaptations to CWAD respond to treatment. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents which gray matter adaptations are present in people with chronic pain after whiplash injuries. Then, we examine the treatment effect on these alterations as well as whether other neuroplastic effects on GM following treatment occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Murillo
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Marina López-Sola
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara Cagnie
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - María Suñol
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rob J E M Smeets
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Iris Coppieters
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Department of chronic diseases and metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium; Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Elise Cnockaert
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Mira Meeus
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium; MOVANT research group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Inge Timmers
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands
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Arribas-Romano A, Fernández-Carnero J, Beltran-Alacreu H, Alguacil-Diego IM, Cuenca-Zaldívar JN, Rodríguez-Lagos L, Runge N, Mercado F. Conditioned Pain Modulation and Temporal Summation of Pain in Patients With Traumatic and Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:312-330. [PMID: 37734462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.002] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
In patients with neck pain, it is unclear whether pain inhibition and facilitation endogenous pain mechanisms are altered. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to improve their understanding by assessing conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal summation of pain (TSP) in patients with neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) or of a nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) nature compared to pain-free controls. Very low certainty evidence suggests: impaired CPM when assessed remotely in chronic WAD patients (n = 7, 230 patients and 204 controls, standardized mean differences (SMD) = -.47 [-.89 to -.04]; P = .04) but not locally (n = 6, 155 patients and 150 controls; SMD = -.34 [-.68 to .01]; P = .05), impaired CPM in chronic NSNP patients when assessed locally (n = 5, 223 patients and 162 controls; SMD = -.55 [-1.04 to -.06]; P = .04) but not remotely (n = 3, 72 patients and 66 controls; SMD = -.33 [-.92 to .25]; P = .13), TSP not facilitated in either chronic WAD (local TSP: n = 4, 90 patients and 87 controls; SMD = .68 [-.62 to 1.99]) (remote TSP: n = 8, 254 patients and 214 controls; SMD = .18 [-.12 to .48]) or chronic NSNP (local TSP: n = 2, 139 patients and 92 controls; SMD = .21 [-1.00 to 1.41]), (remote TSP: n = 3; 91 patients and 352 controls; SMD = .60 [-1.33 to 2.52]). The evidence is very uncertain whether CPM is impaired and TSP facilitated in patients with WAD and NSNP. PERSPECTIVE: This review and meta-analysis present the current evidence on CPM and TSP in patients with WAD and NSNP. Standardization of measurement methodology is needed to draw clear conclusions. Subsequently, future studies should investigate the clinical relevance of these measurements as prognostic variables or predictors of treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Arribas-Romano
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain; Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josué Fernández-Carnero
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Madrid, Spain; La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain; Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hector Beltran-Alacreu
- Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing of Toledo, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain; CranioSPain Research Group, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel M Alguacil-Diego
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Motion Analysis, Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory (LAMBECOM), Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar
- Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute, Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Madrid, Spain; Primary Health Center "El Abajon", Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Fisioterapia y Dolor, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Leonardo Rodríguez-Lagos
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain; Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nils Runge
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium; Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francisco Mercado
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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Hendriks E, Coppieters I, Voogt L, Cools W, Ickmans K. Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Differences between Subgroups Based on the Central Sensitization Inventory. J Clin Med 2024; 13:482. [PMID: 38256616 PMCID: PMC10816827 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020482] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical exercise is an important element in the rehabilitation of chronic whiplash-associated disorders, with the physiological process underlying pain reduction called exercise-induced hypoalgesia. In chronic whiplash-associated disorders, exercise-induced hypoalgesia appears impaired, and the research suggests a relationship with symptoms of dysfunctional nociceptive processing, such as central sensitization. This study improves our understanding of exercise-induced hypoalgesia in chronic whiplash-associated disorders by examining the differences between the extent of exercise-induced hypoalgesia in subgroups based on scores on the central sensitization inventory (CSI). METHODS Data were collected from 135 participants with chronic whiplash-associated disorders who completed a set of questionnaires. Pain pressure thresholds and temporal summations were assessed before and after a submaximal aerobic bicycle exercise test. RESULTS We observed no interaction effect between exercise-induced hypoalgesia and the CSI scores for both pain pressure threshold and temporal summation. No overall statistical effect was measured in the analysis of the effect of time. The pain pressure threshold significantly related to the CSI. The temporal summation showed no correlation. CONCLUSIONS During this study, we did not find evidence for a difference in the presence of exercise-induced hypoalgesia when the subgroups were created based on the central sensitization cluster calculator. Limited evidence was found for the influence of CSI scores on the delta pain pressure threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Hendriks
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (E.H.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Rehabilitation Centre Drechtsteden/Haaglanden, Berkenhof 100, 3319 WB Dordrecht, The Netherlands
- Research Centre for Health Care Innovations, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rochussenstraat 198, 3015 EK Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Unit Physiotherapy, Organizational Part of the Orthopedics Department, Erasmus Medical Centre, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Coppieters
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (E.H.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Translation Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lennard Voogt
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (E.H.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Research Centre for Health Care Innovations, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rochussenstraat 198, 3015 EK Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfried Cools
- Core Facility—Support for Quantitative and Qualitative Research (SQUASH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Kelly Ickmans
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (E.H.); (I.C.); (L.V.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Movement & Nutrition for Health & Performance Research Group (MOVE), Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Bellosta-López P, Doménech-García V, Ortiz-Lucas M, Lluch-Girbés E, Herrero P, Sterling M, Christensen SWM. Longitudinal Changes and Associations Between Quantitative Sensory Testing and Psychological Factors in Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses-Based Data Synthesis. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:12-30. [PMID: 37517451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.07.021] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) represent a multifactorial condition often accompanied by altered nociceptive processing and psychological factors. This systematic review on acute and chronic WAD aimed to investigate the relationship between quantitative sensory testing (QST) and psychological factors and quantify whether their trajectories over time follow a similar pattern to disability levels. Eight databases were searched until October 2022. When 2 prospective studies examined the same QST or psychological variable, data synthesis was performed with random-effects meta-analysis by pooling within-group standardized mean differences from baseline to 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. From 5,754 studies, 49 comprising 3,825 WAD participants were eligible for the review and 14 for the data synthesis. Altered nociceptive processing in acute and chronic WAD, alongside worse scores on psychological factors, were identified. However, correlations between QST and psychological factors were heterogeneous and inconsistent. Furthermore, disability levels, some QST measures, and psychological factors followed general positive improvement over time, although there were differences in magnitude and temporal changes. These results may indicate that altered psychological factors and increased local pain sensitivity could play an important role in both acute and chronic WAD, although this does not exclude the potential influence of factors not explored in this review. PERSPECTIVE: Acute WAD show improvements in levels of disability and psychological factors before significant improvements in nociceptive processing are evident. Facilitated nociceptive processing might not be as important as psychological factors in chronic WAD-related disability, which indicates that chronic and acute WAD should not be considered the same entity although there are similarities. Nonetheless, pressure pain thresholds in the neck might be the most appropriate measure to monitor WAD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Bellosta-López
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Víctor Doménech-García
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Ortiz-Lucas
- Universidad San Jorge, Campus Universitario, Autov. A23 km 299, 50830, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Enrique Lluch-Girbés
- Physiotherapy in Motion, Multi-Specialty Research Group (PTinMOTION), Department of Physical Therapy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Herrero
- iHealthy Research Group. IIS Aragon/University of Zaragoza. Department of Physiatry and Nursing. Faculty of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Michele Sterling
- Recover Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia; Centre of Research Excellence, Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
| | - Steffan W M Christensen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Physiotherapy, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark
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De Meulemeester K, Meeus M, De Pauw R, Cagnie B, Keppler H, Lenoir D. Suffering from chronic tinnitus, chronic neck pain, or both: Does it impact the presence of signs and symptoms of central sensitization? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290116. [PMID: 37616265 PMCID: PMC10449148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic subjective tinnitus is a prevalent symptom, which has many similarities with chronic pain. Central sensitization is considered as a possible underlying mechanism of both symptoms. Central sensitization has already been investigated in chronic pain populations but not in patients with chronic subjective tinnitus. Therefore, the main objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare signs and symptoms, indicative for central sensitization, in tinnitus patients with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain, patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain only, and healthy controls. Also, differences in psychological and lifestyle factors, possibly influencing the association between central sensitization and tinnitus, were examined as well as correlations between signs and symptoms of central sensitization, and tinnitus, pain, psychological and lifestyle factors. Differences in signs and symptoms of central sensitization were examined using the self-report Central Sensitization Inventory and QST protocol (local and distant mechanical and heat hyperalgesia, conditioned pain modulation). Tinnitus, pain, psychological and lifestyle factors were evaluated using self-report questionnaires. Symptoms of central sensitization and local mechanical hyperalgesia were significantly more present in both tinnitus groups, compared to healthy controls, but were most extensive in the group with chronic tinnitus+chronic idiopathic neck pain. Distant mechanical hyperalgesia, indicative for central sensitization, was only observed in the group with both chronic tinnitus+chronic idiopathic neck pain. This group also displayed a significantly higher psychological burden and poorer sleep than patients with chronic tinnitus only and healthy controls. Signs and symptoms of central sensitization were also shown to be associated with tinnitus impact, pain-related disability, psychological burden and sleep disturbances. This study shows preliminary evidence for the presence of central sensitization in patients with chronic tinnitus+chronic idiopathic neck pain. This could be explained by the higher perceived tinnitus impact, psychological burden and sleep problems in this group. Trial registration: This study is registered as NCT05186259 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh De Meulemeester
- Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit Ghent, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Pain in Motion International Research Group, The Netherlands
| | - Mira Meeus
- Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit Ghent, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Pain in Motion International Research Group, The Netherlands
- MOVANT Research Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Robby De Pauw
- Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit Ghent, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Belgium
| | - Barbara Cagnie
- Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit Ghent, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannah Keppler
- Audiology Research Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dorine Lenoir
- Spine, Head and Pain Research Unit Ghent, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Pain in Motion International Research Group, The Netherlands
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