Experimental Pain Sensitivity Research Articles

Body composition and body mass index are independently associated with widespread pain and experimental pain sensitivity in older adults: a pilot investigation.

Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is prevalent in older adults and confers significant risk for loss of independence and low quality of life. While obesity is considered a risk factor for developing chronic MSK pain, both high and low body mass index (BMI) have been associated with greater pain reporting in older adults. Measures of body composition that distinguish between fat mass and lean mass may help to clarify the seemingly contradictory associations between BMI and MSK pain in this at-risk group. Twenty-four older adults (mean age: 78.08 ± 5.1 years) completed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and pain measures (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, number of anatomical pain sites, pressure pain threshold, mechanical temporal summation). Pearson correlations and multiple liner regression examined associations between body mass index (BMI), body composition indices, and pain. Significant positive associations were found between number of pain sites and BMI (b = 0.37) and total fat mass (b = 0.42), accounting for age and sex. Total body lean mass was associated with pressure pain sensitivity (b = 0.65), suggesting greater lean mass is associated with less mechanical pain sensitivity. The results from this exploratory pilot study indicate lean mass may provide additional resilience to maladaptive changes in pain processing in older adults, and highlights the importance of distinguishing body composition indices from overall body mass index to better understand the complex relationship between obesity and MSK pain in older adults.

Associations between cognitive test scores and pain tolerance: The Tromsø study.

Previous studies have suggested that experimental pain sensitivity is associated with cognitive function. The aim of this study is to assess this relationship in a large population-based sample. We included 5,753 participants (aged 40-84 years) from the seventh wave of the population-based Tromsø Study who had been examined with cognitive tests and experimental pain assessments, and for whom information on covariates were available. Cox regression models were fitted using standardized scores on cognitive tests (12-word immediate recall test, digit symbol coding test, and Mini-Mental State Examination [MMS-E]) as the independent variable and cold pressor or cuff pressure pain tolerance as the dependent variables. Statistical adjustment was made for putative confounders, namely, age, sex, education, smoking, exercise, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, symptoms indicating anxiety or depression, analgesic use, and chronic pain. In multivariate analysis, cold pressor tolerance time was significantly associated with test scores on the 12-word immediate recall test (hazard ratio [HR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-0.97, p < 0.001), the digit symbol coding test (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-0.98, p = 0.004), and the MMS-E (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.96 p < 0.001). Tolerance to cuff pressure algometry was significantly associated with 12-word immediate recall (HR 0.94-0.97, p < 0.001) and Digit Symbol Coding test scores (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.96, p < 0.001) while there was no significant association with Mini Mental State Examination test score (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.00, p = 0.082). Lower pain tolerance was associated with poorer performance on cognitive tests.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and measurement properties of the Arabic version of the pain sensitivity questionnaire.

The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) is a reliable and valid self-reported tool for the assessment of pain sensitivity in clinical practice. The PSQ has been translated, validated, and cross-culturally adapted into multiple languages. However, a validated Arabic version of the PSQ is not available. Thus, this study aims to translate, validate, and cross-culturally adapt the English version of the PSQ into the Arabic language. The English version of the PSQ was translated and culturally adapted into Arabic following international guidelines. The psychometric properties of the final version of the PSQ-Arabic (PSQ-A) were tested among 119 patients with different persistent musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. The Cronbach's α for the PSQ-A-total, PSQ-A-moderate, and PSQ-C-minor were 0.81, 0.79, and 0.76, respectively. The means for the PSQ-A-total, PSQ-A-moderate, and PSQ-C-minor scores were 5.07 (±1.28), 5.64 (±2.07), and 4.50 (±0.50). The test-retest reliability measured with the interclass correlation coefficient for 68 subjects was 0.80 for the PSQ-A-total, 0.74 for the PSQ-A-moderate, and 0.77 for the PSQ-A-minor. The PSQ-A-total and the PSQ-A-minor showed positive significant correlations with pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) (r = 0.15, 0.17); P ≤ 0.05), respectively. The PSQ-A-total, PSQ-A-moderate, and PSQ-A-minor showed positive significant correlations with the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-pain scores (r = 0.47, 0.43, 0.45; P ≤ 0.01), respectively and with the BPI-pain interference scores (r = 0.37, 0.33, 0.34; P ≤ 0.01), respectively. This study shows that the PSQ-A is a reliable and valid tool to assess individuals with pain sensitivity in Arabic populations. Further studies are recommended to examine the concurrent validity of the PSQ-A against experimental pain sensitivity measures.

Differences in experimental pain sensitivity between African American and non-African American individuals

Differences in experimental pain sensitivity between African American and non-African American individuals

Mediators of the association between childhood trauma and pain sensitivity in adulthood: a Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain Research Network analysis.

Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) is a complex, debilitating condition in which patients often report nonpelvic pain in addition to localized pelvic pain. Understanding differential predictors of pelvic pain only vs widespread pain may provide novel pathways for intervention. This study leveraged baseline data from the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network's Symptom Pattern Study to investigate the impact of childhood sexual and nonsexual violent trauma on pelvic and nonpelvic pain sensitivity among adult patients with UCPPS, as well as potential mediators of this association. Study participants who met inclusion criteria for UCPPS completed questionnaires assessing childhood and recent trauma, affective distress, cognitive dysfunction, and generalized sensory sensitivity. Experimental pain sensitivity was also evaluated using standardized pressure pain applied to the pubic region and the arm. Bivariate analyses showed that childhood violent trauma was associated with more nonviolent childhood trauma, more recent trauma, poorer adult functioning, and greater pain sensitivity at the pubic region, but not pain sensitivity at the arm. Path analysis suggested that childhood violent trauma was indirectly associated with pain sensitivity at both sites and that this indirect association was primarily mediated by generalized sensory sensitivity. More experiences of recent trauma also contributed to these indirect effects. The findings suggest that, among participants with UCPPS, childhood violent trauma may be associated with heightened pain sensitivity to the extent that trauma history is associated with a subsequent increase in generalized sensory sensitivity.

No effect of social interaction on experimental pain sensitivity: a randomized experimental study.

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a commonly applied paradigm to investigate pain, which is a subjective experience influenced by a myriad of social and contextual factors. Therefore, it is important to consider the potential sensitivity of QST to the test setting and the social interaction that naturally is a part of it. This may particularly be the case in clinical settings where patients have something at stake. Therefore, we investigated differences in pain responses using QST in different test setups with varying degrees of human interaction. In a parallel three-armed randomized experimental study, we included 92 participants with low back pain and 87 healthy volunteers allocated to 1 of the 3 QST setups: 1 setup with manual tests performed by a human tester, 1 setup with automated tests performed by a robot and orally guided by a human tester, and 1 setup with automated tests performed solely by a robot without social interaction with a human tester. All 3 setups consisted of the same pain tests in the same order, including pressure pain threshold and cold pressor tests. We found no statistically significant differences between setups on the primary outcome of conditioned pain modulation nor any secondary QST outcomes. While this study is not without limitations, the results indicate that QST procedures are robust enough not to be influenced by social interaction to an appreciable degree.

Elucidating factors contributing todisparities in pain-related experiences among adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis.

We and others have reported ethnic/race group differences in clinical pain, physical function, and experimental pain sensitivity. However, recent research indicates that with consideration for socioenvironmental factors, ethnicity/race differences become less or non-significant. Understanding of factors contributing to pain inequities are needed. Guided by the NIA and NIMHD Health Disparities Research Frameworks, we evaluate the contributions of environmental and behavioral factors on previously reported ethnic/race group differences in: (1) clinical pain, (2) physical function, and (3) experimental pain in individuals with knee pain. Baseline data from Understanding of Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritis Disease (UPLOAD) and UPLOAD-2 studies were analyzed. Participants were adults 45 to 85 years old who self-reported as non-Hispanic white (NHW) or black (NHB) with knee pain. A health assessment and quantitative sensory testing were completed. Sociodemographics, environmental, health, clinical and experimental pain, and physical functioning measures were included in nested regressions. Pooled data from 468 individuals, 57 ± 8 years of age, 63% women, and 53% NHB adults. As NHB adults were younger and reported greater socioenvironmental risk than the NHW adults, the term sociodemographic groups is used. With inclusion of recognized environmental and behavioral variables, sociodemographic groups remained a significant predictor accounting for <5% of the variance in clinical pain and physical function and <10% of variance in experimental pain. The incorporation of environmental and behavioral factors reduced relationships between sociodemographic groups and pain-related outcomes. Pain sites, BMI, and income were significant predictors across multiple models. The current study adds to a body of research on the complex array of factors contributing to disparities in pain-related outcomes.

Sex-related differences in experimental pain sensitivity in subjects with painful or painless neuropathy after surgical repair of traumatic nerve injuries.

Sex-related influences represent a contributor to greater pain sensitivity and have a higher prevalence of many chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic pain (NP), among women. The aim was to analyze how differences in ongoing pain, experimental pain intensity, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) relate to sex in subjects with neuropathy after traumatic nerve injuries. Endogenous pain modulation was compared between male (n = 77) and female (n = 55) subjects and between subjects with NP (female = 31, male = 39) and pain-free subjects with posttraumatic neuropathy (female = 24, male = 38). Conditioned pain modulation was assessed by pain ratings to pressure stimuli before and after a noxious conditioning stimulus (CS) conducted with one arm submerged in cold water (4°C) for 1 minute. Time of recovery (Time off) of pain intensity from peak VASmaxc after CS was recorded and compared between male and female patients. Greater ongoing pain intensity was found among female patients compared with male patients and more experimental pain after pressure and cold induced pain. Summing all groups together, women had 0.8 times higher odds (20%) of recovering sooner than men after CS (95% CI = 0.65-2.9). No differences in CPM, time off, and psychosocial variables were seen between female and male patients (P < 0.05). Our hypothesis for sex differences in endogenous pain modulation was only supported by a shorter after-sensation time after cold CS in female patients. No sex differences in the magnitude of CPM effect were identified. Increased pain intensity for experimental pain, in both neuropathic pain and neuropathy without pain, was found in female patients.

Stimulated whole-blood cytokine/chemokine responses are associated with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome phenotypes and features of nociplastic pain: a multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain research network study.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a common and debilitating disease with poor treatment outcomes. Studies from the multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain research network established that IC/BPS patients with chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) experience poorer quality of life and more severe symptoms, yet the neurobiological correlates of this subtype are largely unknown. We previously showed that ex vivo toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) cytokine/chemokine release is associated with the presence of COPCs, as well as widespread pain and experimental pain sensitivity women with IC/BPS. Here, we attempt to confirm these findings in the multisite multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain Symptom Patterns Study using TLR4-stimulated whole blood (female IC/BPS patients with COPC n = 99; without n = 36). Samples were collected in tubes preloaded with TLR4 agonist, incubated for 24 hours, and resulting supernatant assayed for 7 cytokines/chemokines. These were subject to a principal components analysis and the resulting components used as dependent variables in general linear models. Controlling for patient age, body mass index, and site of collection, we found that greater ex vivo TLR4-stimulated cytokine/chemokine release was associated with the presence of COPCs ( P < 0.01), extent of widespread pain ( P < 0.05), but not experimental pain sensitivity ( P > 0.05). However, a second component of anti-inflammatory, regulatory, and chemotactic activity was associated with reduced pain sensitivity ( P < 0.01). These results confirm that the IC/BPS + COPCs subtype show higher levels of ex vivo TLR4 cytokine/chemokine release and support a link between immune priming and nociplastic pain in IC/BPS.

Disentangling the roles of circadian rhythms and sleep drive in experimental pain sensitivity

Differentiating between circadian rhythm and sleep's effect on pain is challenging, as these two systems can be tightly coupled. A recent study by Daguet et al. found that circadian rhythm, rather than sleep drive, significantly contributed to the variability of experimental heat pain sensitivity in humans. These results support chrono-pharmacological approaches to pain management.

Efficacy of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Experimental Pain Sensitivity in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is encouraging regarding clinical pain intensity for individuals with knee osteoarthritis, very few studies have explored its impact on experimental pain sensitivity, which may hinder our understanding of underlying therapeutic mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of 15 home-based tDCS sessions on experimental pain sensitivity and explore its relationships with clinical pain intensity. We randomly assigned 120 participants to active tDCS (n = 60) and sham tDCS (n = 60). Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was used, including heat pain threshold and tolerance, pressure pain threshold, and conditioned pain modulation. Patients in the active tDCS group exhibited reduced experimental pain sensitivity as reflected by all QST measures at the end of treatment. Furthermore, correlations were observed between changes in clinical pain intensity and experimental pain sensitivity. These findings warrant further studies on tDCS and experimental pain sensitivity in patients with knee osteoarthritis and exploring the magnitude and sustainability of effects on a longer term.

Experimental Pain Phenotype Profiles in Community-dwelling Older Adults.

Pain sensitivity and the brain structure are critical in modulating pain and may contribute to the maintenance of pain in older adults. However, a paucity of evidence exists investigating the link between pain sensitivity and brain morphometry in older adults. The purpose of the study was to identify pain sensitivity profiles in healthy, community-dwelling older adults using a multimodal quantitative sensory testing protocol and to differentiate profiles based on brain morphometry. This study was a secondary analysis of the Neuromodulatory Examination of Pain and Mobility Across the Lifespan (NEPAL) study. Participants completed demographic and psychological questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing, and a neuroimaging session. A Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation followed by hierarchical cluster analysis identified 4 pain sensitivity clusters (the "pain clusters"). Sixty-two older adults ranging from 60 to 94 years old without a specific pain condition (mean [SD] age=71.44 [6.69] y, 66.1% female) were analyzed. Four pain clusters were identified characterized by (1) thermal pain insensitivity; (2) high pinprick pain ratings and pressure pain insensitivity; (3) high thermal pain ratings and high temporal summation; and (4) thermal pain sensitivity, low thermal pain ratings, and low mechanical temporal summation. Sex differences were observed between pain clusters. Pain clusters 2 and 4 were distinguished by differences in the brain cortical volume in the parieto-occipital region. While sufficient evidence exists demonstrating pain sensitivity profiles in younger individuals and in those with chronic pain conditions, the finding that subgroups of experimental pain sensitivity also exist in healthy older adults is novel. Identifying these factors in older adults may help differentiate the underlying mechanisms contributing to pain and aging.

Association between systemic inflammation and experimental pain sensitivity in subjects with pain and painless neuropathy after traumatic nerve injuries.

Peripheral neuropathies that occur secondary to nerve injuries may be painful or painless, and including a low-grade inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with both regeneration and damage of peripheral nerve cells and fibers. Currently, there are no validated methods that can distinguished between neuropathic pain and painless neuropathy. The aim of this study was to search for proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteins associated with pain and experimental pain sensitivity in subjects with surgeon-verified nerve injuries in the upper extremities. One hundred and thirty-one subjects [69 with neuropathic pain, NP; 62 with painless neuropathy, nP] underwent a conditioned pain modulation (CPM) test that included a cold pressor task (CPT) conducted with the non-injured hand submerged in cold water (4°C) until pain was intolerable. CPM was assessed by pain ratings to pressure stimuli before and after applying the CPT. Efficient CPM effect was defined as the ability of the individual's CS to inhibit at least 29% of pain (eCPM). The subjects were assigned to one of two subgroups: pain sensitive (PS) and pain tolerant (PT) after the time they could tolerate their hand in cold water (PS<40s and PT=60s) . Plasma samples were analyzed for 92 proteins incorporated in the inflammation panel using multiplex Protein Extension Array Technology (PEA). Differentially expressed proteins were investigated using both univariate and multivariate analysis (principal component analysis-PCA and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis-OPLS-DA). Significant differences in all protein levels were found between PS and PT subgroups (CV-ANOVA p<0.001), but not between NP and nP groups (p=0.09) or between inefficient CPM (iCPM) and eCPM (p=0.53) subgroups. Several top proteins associated with NP could be detected using multivariate regression analysis such as stromelysin 2 (MMPs), interleukin-2 receptor subunit beta (IL2RB), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3), fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 28 (CCL28), CCL25, CCL11, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin 4 (IL4), IL13. After adjusting for multiple testing, none of these proteins correlated significantly with pain. Higher levels of CCL20 (p=0.049) and CUB domain-containing protein (CDCP-1; p=0.047) were found to correlate significantly with cold pain sensitivity. CDCP-1 was highly associated with both PS and iCPM (p=0.042). No significant alterations in systemic proteins were found comparing subjects with neuropathic pain and painless neuropathy. An expression of predominant proinflammatory proteins was associated with experimental cold pain sensitivity in both subjects with pain and painless neuropathy. One these proteins, CDC-1 acted as "molecular fingerprint" overlapping both CPM and CPT. This observation might have implications for the study of pain in general and should be addressed in more detail in future experiments.

Sleep and Experimental Pain Sensitivity in People with HIV

People with HIV (PWH) appear to be at high risk for the experience of recurring pain symptoms throughout their lifetimes. There is also evidence to suggest a high prevalence of insomnia and sleep difficulties in PWH. Insomnia may lead to exaggerated pain states in PWH such as hyperalgesia, which refers to the phenomenon of heightened sensitivity to painful stimuli. The goals of this research are to examine differences in insomnia severity, sleep behaviors, and experimental pain sensitivity between PWH and controls without HIV. Participants included 25 PWH and 25 without HIV, who were all recruited from a local HIV treatment center (PWH) and the surrounding community (without HIV). Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index and the RU_SATED scale, a measure of subjective sleep health. A quantitative sensory testing (QST) battery was then completed that included an assessment of pressure pain threshold (PPT) followed by temporal summation (TS) of mechanical pain; both administered at the trapezius. Compared to those without HIV, PWH reported greater severity of insomnia symptoms (p<.001) as well as poorer sleep health (p<.001). PWH also demonstrated significantly greater TS of mechanical pain compared to participants without HIV (p=.027). There was no significant difference for PPT (p=.901). In a stratified correlation analysis, the association between poorer sleep health and greater TS of mechanical pain was larger for PWH (r=-.344, p=.092) than it was for participants without HIV (r=-.004, p=.985). This ongoing study provides tentative evidence that PWH may experience worse sleep and enhanced pain facilitation (i.e., TS of mechanical pain) compared to those without HIV. It may also be that poor sleep is promoting enhanced pain facilitation in PWH; however, this possibility should be considered with caution given the small sample size and cross-sectional study design. Grant support from NHLBI - R01HL147603.

Body image dissatisfaction and experimental pressure pain sensitivity in a cohort of 13-year-old adolescents

ObjectiveWe aimed to quantify the associations between body image (dis)satisfaction and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents, using data from Generation XXI, a population-based cohort study in Portugal. MethodsWe assessed 1785 13-year old adolescents cross-sectionally. Body image satisfaction was measured using the Children's Figure Rating Scale. Pain detection and tolerance thresholds were assessed using cuff pressure algometry. We quantified the associations between body image categories (satisfied, prefers slightly thinner, prefers much thinner, and prefers heavier) and pain detection and tolerance thresholds using linear and logistic regression for continuous and binary (odds of achieving the highest distribution quarter) outcomes, respectively. Models were adjusted to pubertal stage and body mass index. ResultsAdolescents who desired a heavier silhouette had lower pressure pain tolerance thresholds when compared to those who were satisfied (linear regression coefficient: −3.95; 95% confidence interval: −6.68, −1.21), which was more precise in boys (−3.51; −7.17, −0.08). Those adolescents also had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance threshold (odds ratio: 0.66; 0.48, 0.90), especially girls (0.58; 0.35, 0.98). Adolescents who desired much thinner silhouettes had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance (0.68; 0.46, 1.00), and this was clearer in girls (0.66; 0.48, 0.90). Pain detection thresholds did not show robust associations with body image dissatisfaction. ConclusionOur study suggests an association between satisfaction with one's silhouette and pain tolerance in adolescents from the general population, arguing for an integrated approach to the assessment of body image and pain sensitivity.

The Diurnal Profile of Human Basal Pain Sensitivity and Skin Sympathetic Nerve Activity: A Healthy Volunteer Study.

ObjectiveThe diurnal rhythm profile of human basal pain sensitivity and its association with sympathetic nerve activity are not fully understood. This study aimed to examine rhythmic changes in experimental pain sensitivity and skin sympathetic nerve activity in healthy volunteers.MethodsThirty healthy volunteers were included in the study. Experimental pain sensitivity, including pressure pain threshold and tolerance, cold pain threshold (CPT) and tolerance, skin sympathetic nerve activity, and cardiovascular parameters (including heart rate, cardiac output, and peripheral vascular resistance) at six time points throughout the day (08:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 00:00, and 04:00) were sequentially measured. Circadian rhythm analysis was performed on the mean values of the different measurements and individual subjects.ResultsSignificant differences were found in experimental pain sensitivity, skin sympathetic nerve activity, and non-invasive cardiovascular parameters at different time points (P < 0.05). The minimum measured values of all four types of experimental pain sensitivity were consistently observed at 04:00. Rhythmical analysis showed that the mean values of pressure pain threshold (meta2d P = 0.016) and skin sympathetic nerve activity (meta2d P = 0.039) were significant. Significant diurnal rhythms in pain sensitivity and skin sympathetic nerve activity existed in some individuals but not in others. No significant correlation between experimental pain sensitivity and skin sympathetic nerve activity was found at any time point (P > 0.05).ConclusionSignificant diurnal fluctuations were observed in different pain sensitivities and skin sympathetic nerve activity. No significant correlation between experimental pain sensitivity and sympathetic excitability at different times was found; the reasons for these phenomena remain to be further studied.Clinical Trial Registration[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR2000039709].

Opioid Taper is Associated with Improved Experimental Pain Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Pain: An Observational Study.

IntroductionThe degree to which opioid-induced hyperalgesia contributes to the pain experience of patients with chronic pain remains relatively undescribed. The objective of this pilot study was to determine if experimental pain responses improve in patients with chronic pain as they undergo a planned opioid taper.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study. Seven patients with chronic neuropathic pain on at least 120 mg morphine equivalents/day were enrolled. The participants were followed over the course of an individualized opioid taper to a lower dose. Measures of experimental pain sensitivity, including indicators of central pain modulation, were collected on a biweekly basis; in addition, measures of function and quality of life were collected monthly. The effect of opioid taper on pain responses and functional outcomes over time were examined using longitudinal mixed-effects regression modeling and general linear regression modeling with regularization as a function of baseline dose, end dose, and taper rate.ResultsIn this small sample of patients undergoing highly individualized and variable opioid taper, the opioid taper was significantly associated with improved pain responses to the cold-pressor test, with the pain threshold on average increasing by 1.14 s every 6 weeks (p = 0.0084, 95% confidence interval [CI] for 6-week change 0.3039–2.0178) and pain tolerance on average increasing by 2.87 s every 6 weeks (p = 0.0026, 95% CI for 6-week change 1.02–4.7277). Taper-related changes in central pain modulation were not observed, although conditioned modulation trended toward improvement by the completion of opioid taper. Similarly, no declines in function and quality of life were observed with the opioid taper, suggesting stability despite decreased opioid dose.ConclusionsOpioid taper was associated with improvements in experimental pain responses without a decline in function and quality of life, suggestive of diminished opioid-induced hyperalgesia in this clinical sample.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03912298.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40122-021-00348-8.

A study of pain perception by cold pressure test in young females during the different phases of menstrual cycle

Background: Menstruation is a cyclic physiological phenomenon showing fluctuations of various Gonadal hormones. Gonadal hormones (estrogen and progesterone) influences pain sensitivity, the former strongly influences nociceptive actions; whereas the latter prevents neuropathic pain some previous study has shown changes in pain sensitivity during menstruation. However, there is only little evidence present on effect of Gonadal hormones on experimental pain Sensitivity. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to differentiate in Sensation of pain stimulus in terms of - pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness in females with normal menstruation during different phases through using cold presser test. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 normal healthy females were enrolled in the study as per the eligibility criteria. Cold presser test was used as a pain stimulus source. The participants were instructed to hold their least dominant hand in the water bath as long as possible and were requested to inform the first sensation of pain which denoted the participants’ pain threshold. Time from pain threshold to the point where participants could no longer cope with pain and indicate stop, was recorded as pain tolerance. At this point, participants were directed to note pain intensity and unpleasantness on the visual analogue scale. Results: The results showed that high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance level were highly significant during follicular phase than luteal phase. Conclusion: In our study, we concluded pain perception difference across during different phase of menstruation in the form of high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance during follicular phase due to the hormonal fluctuation and the differences in autonomic nervous system reactivity these would be the underlying mechanism for these findings.

Validation of the Turkish version of the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire in patients with chronic pain

ObjectiveThe Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) is a clinically beneficial instrument that has been proven to be correlated with various experimental pain sensitivity assessments in healthy people and in patients with chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to translate the PSQ into Turkish (PSQ-T) and validate it for the measurement of pain sensitivity among Turkish people.MethodsSeventy-three patients with chronic back pain who were planning to undergo an interventional procedure completed the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and PSQ prior to their procedure. Subcutaneous infiltration of lidocaine was used as a standardized experimental pain stimulus. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS 1: infiltration in the hand, and VAS 2: infiltration in the procedure area)ResultsScores on the PSQ-T were significantly correlated with those on the BPI-SF. A significant positive relationship was observed between VAS 1 and VAS 2 values and the PSQ-T score, BPI pain score, and BPI interference score.ConclusionsThe PSQ-T can be used as a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of pain sensitivity in the Turkish population.

The Added Value of Sensitivity to Nonnoxious Stimuli to Predict an Individual’s Sensitivity to Pain

Simple tools are needed to predict postoperative pain. Questionnaire-based tools such as the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) are validated for this purpose, but prediction could be improved by incorporating other parameters. To explore the potency of sensitivity to nonpainful stimuli and biometric data to improve prediction of pain. Transversal exploratory study. Single clinical investigation center. Eighty-five healthy volunteers of both genders underwent a multimodal exploration including biometry, questionnaire-based assessment of anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, sensitivity to smell, and the PSQ, followed by a psychophysical assessment of unpleasantness thresholds for light and sound, and sensitivity to mechanical, heat, and cold pain. These last 3 parameters were used to calculate a composite pain score. After a multi-step selection, multivariable analyses identified the explanative factors of experimental pain sensitivity, by including biometric, questionnaire-based, and psychophysical nonnociceptive sensitivity parameters, with the aim of having each domain represented. Female gender predicted mechanical pain, a younger age and dark eyes predicted cold pain, and the PSQ predicted heat pain. Sensitivity to unpleasantness of sound predicted mechanical and heat pain, and sensitivity to unpleasantness of light predicted cold pain. Sensitivity to smell was unrelated. The predictors of the composite pain score were the PSQ, the light unpleasantness threshold, and an interaction between gender and eye color, the score being lower in light-eyed men and higher in all women. The final multivariable multi-domain model was more predictive of pain than the PSQ alone (R2 = 0.301 vs 0.122, respectively). Sensitivity to smell was only assessed by a short questionnaire and could lack relevance. Healthy volunteers were unlikely to elicit psychological risk factors such as anxiety, depression, or catastrophizing. These results have not been validated in a clinical setting (e.g., perioperative). The predictive potential of the PSQ can be improved by including information about gender, eye color, and light sensitivity. However, there is still a need for a technique suitable for routine clinical use to assess light sensitivity.