Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity Research Articles

Clustering analysis identifies two subgroups of women with fibromyalgia with different psychological, cognitive, health-related, and physical features but similar widespread pressure pain sensitivity.

Given that identification of groups of patients can help to better understand risk factors related to each group and to improve personalized therapeutic strategies, this study aimed to identify subgroups (clusters) of women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) according to pain, pain-related disability, neurophysiological, cognitive, health, psychological, or physical features. Demographic, pain, sensory, pain-related disability, psychological, health, cognitive, and physical variables were collected in 113 women with FMS. Widespread pressure pain thresholds were also assessed. K-means clustering was used to identify groups of women without any previous assumption. Two clusters exhibiting similar widespread sensitivity to pressure pain (pressure pain thresholds) but differing in the remaining variables were identified. Overall, women in one cluster exhibited higher pain intensity and pain-related disability; more sensitization-associated and neuropathic pain symptoms; higher kinesiophobia, hypervigilance, and catastrophism levels; worse sleep quality; higher anxiety/depressive levels; lower health-related function; and worse physical function than women in the other cluster. Cluster analysis identified one group of women with FMS exhibiting worse sensory, psychological, cognitive, and health-related features. Widespread sensitivity to pressure pain seems to be a common feature of FMS. The present results suggest that this group of women with FMS might need to be treated differently.

Convergent validity of the central sensitization inventory in women with fibromyalgia: Association with clinical, psychological and psychophysical outcomes.

To assess the relationship between demographic, clinical, psychological and pressure pain sensitivity outcomes with the central sensitization inventory (CSI) in female with fibromyalgia (FMS). One hundred and twenty-six (n=126) females with FMS completed demographic (age, body mass index, height, weight), clinical (pain history, pain intensity at rest and during daily living activities), psychological (depression/anxiety levels) outcomes and widespread pressure pain sensitivity as well as the central sensitization inventory (CSI). After conducting a multivariable correlation analysis to identify the association between variables, a multiple linear regression model was performed to identify CSI predictors. The CSI was negatively associated with age (r=-0.262) and PPTs (r ranged from -0.221 to -0.372) and positively associated with anxiety (r=0.541), depression (r=0.415), mean intensity (r=0.305), worst pain (r=0.249) and pain during daily living activities (r=0.398). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 47.4% of CSI variance in this sample was explained by anxiety levels (27.8%), PPT at greater trochanter (10.5%), age (1.4%), years with pain (4.8%) and pain during daily living activities (2.9%). The current study found that age, pain intensity at rest and pain during daily living activities, anxiety levels and pressure pain sensitivity are associated with the CSI (associated sensitization symptoms) in women with FMS. This study found that sensitization-associated symptoms in women with FMS are partially influenced by age, pain intensity at rest and pain during daily living activities, anxiety levels and pressure pain sensitivity.

Pain extent is associated with Central Sensitization Inventory but not widespread pressure pain sensitivity or psychological variables in women with fibromyalgia

Objective To investigate the relationship between pain extent, as a clinical sign of central sensitization, and clinical, psychological, and pressure sensitivity in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Method In this study, 126 females with FMS completed demographic (age, gender, body mass index, height, weight), clinical (pain history, and pain intensity at rest and during daily living activities), psychological (depression and anxiety levels), and neurophysiological [pressure pain threshold (PPT)] assessments. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was also used to collect self-reported symptoms of sensitization. Pain extent and frequency maps were obtained from pain drawings using customized software. After conducting a multivariable correlation analysis to determine the relationships between variables, a stepwise linear regression model analysis was performed to identify variables associated with pain extent. Results Pain extent was positively associated with age (r = 0.17), years with pain (r = 0.27), pain during daily life activities (r = 0.27), and CSI (r = 0.42) (all p < 0.05). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 27.8% of the pain extent was explained by CSI, age, and years with pain. Conclusions This study found that larger pain extent was associated with self-reported outcomes, i.e. CSI, but not neurophysiological outcomes, i.e. PPTs, of sensitization in women with FMS. Older age and a longer history with pain symptoms were also associated with larger pain extent.

Understanding the Psychophysiological Mechanisms Related to Widespread Pressure Pain Hyperalgesia Underpinning Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Network Analysis Approach.

Current evidence suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) involves widespread pressure pain sensitivity as a manifestion of central sensitization. This study aimed to quantify mechanisms driving widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia in CTS by using network analysis. Cross-sectional. Urban hospital. Women with CTS (n=120) who participated in a previous randomized clinical trial. Pain intensity, related function, symptom severity, depressive levels, and pressure pain threshold (PPTs) over the median, radial, and ulnar nerves, as well as the cervical spine, the carpal tunnel, and the tibialis anterior, were collected. Network analysis was used to quantify the adjusted correlations between the modeled variables and to determine the centrality indices of each variable (i.e., the degree of connection with other symptoms in the network). The estimated network showed several local associations between clinical variables and the psychophysical outcomes separately. The edges with the strongest weights were those between the PPT over the median nerve and the PPT over the radial nerve (P=0.34), between function and depressive levels (P=0.30), and between the PPT over the carpal tunnel and the PPT over the tibialis anterior (P=0.29 ). The most central variables were PPT over the tibialis anterior (the highest Strength centrality) and PPT over the carpal tunnel (the highest Closeness and Betweenness centrality). This is the first study to apply network analysis to understand the multivariate mechanisms of individuals with CTS. Our findings support a model in which clinical symptoms, depression, and widespread pressure pain sensitivity are connected, albeit within separate clusters. The clinical implications of the present findings, such as the development of treatments targeting these mechanisms, are also discussed.

Effects of Percutaneous Electrolysis on Endogenous Pain Modulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol.

Percutaneous electrolysis consists of the application of a galvanic electrical current throughout an acupuncture needle. It has been previously hypothesized that needling procedures’ neurophysiological effects may be related to endogenous pain modulation (EPM). This protocol study describes the design of a double-blind (participant, assessor) randomized controlled trial with the aim to investigate whether percutaneous electrolysis is able to enhance EPM and whether the effect is different between two applications depending on the dosage of the galvanic electrical current. Seventy-two asymptomatic subjects not reporting the presence of pain symptoms the previous 6 months before the study, aged 18–40 years, are randomized into one of four groups: a control group who does not receive any intervention, a needling group who receives a needling intervention without electrical current, a low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis group (0.3 mA × 90 s), and a high-intensity percutaneous electrolysis group (three bouts of 3 mA × 3 s). Needling intervention consists of ultrasound-guided insertion of the needle on the common extensor tendon of the lateral epicondyle. The primary outcome is conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and secondary outcomes include widespread pressure pain sensitivity (pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over the lateral epicondyle, the cervical spine, and the tibialis anterior muscle) and temporal summation (TS). We expected that percutaneous electrolysis would have a greater influence on CPM than an isolated needling procedure and no intervention. In addition, we also postulated that there might be differences in outcome measures depending on the intensity of the electrical current during the percutaneous electrolysis application. This study makes a new contribution to the field of neurophysiological effects of percutaneous electrolysis and needling interventions.

Variables associated with use of symptomatic medication during a headache attack in individuals with tension-type headache: a European study

BackgroundPharmacological treatment of patients with tension-type headache (TTH) includes symptomatic (acute) and prophylactic (preventive) medication. No previous study has investigated variables associated to symptomatic medication intake in TTH. Our aim was to assess the association of clinical, psychological and neurophysiological outcomes with the use and timing of the use of symptomatic medication in TTH.MethodsA longitudinal observational study was conducted. One hundred and sixty-eight (n = 168) patients with TTH participated. Pain features of the headache (intensity, frequency, duration), burden of headache (Headache Disability Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), trait/state anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and bilateral pressure pain thresholds on the temporalis, C5-C6 joint, second metacarpal and tibialis anterior were assessed. Symptomatic medication intake was also collected for a 6-months follow-up period. Differences between patients using or not using symptomatic medication, depending on self-perceived effectiveness, and time (early during an attack, i.e., the first 5 min, or when headache attack is intense) when the symptomatic medication was taken were calculated.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-six (n = 136, 80%) reported symptomatic medication intake for headache (73% NSAIDs). Sixteen (12%) reported no pain relief, 81 (59%) experienced moderate relief and 39 (29%) total pain relief. Fifty-eight (43%) took ‘early medication’ whereas 78 (57%) took ‘late medication’. Patients taking symptomatic medication in general showed lower headache frequency and lower depressive levels than those patients not taking medication. Symptomatic medication was more effective in patients with lower headache history, frequency, and duration, and lower emotional burden. No differences in pressure pain sensitivity were found depending on the self-perceived effectiveness of medication. Patients taking ‘late symptomatic’ medication exhibited more widespread pressure pain sensitivity than those taking ‘early medication’.ConclusionsThis study found that the effectiveness of symptomatic medication was associated with better headache parameters (history, frequency, or duration) and lower emotional burden. Further, consuming early symptomatic medication at the beginning of a headache attack (the first 5 min) could limit widespread pressure pain sensitivity.

Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity over Nerve Trunk Areas in Women with Frequent Episodic Tension-Type Headache as a Sign of Central Sensitization.

Previous studies reported the presence of widespread pressure pain sensitivity in patients with tension-type headache. However, most of the studies assessed pressure pain sensitivity over muscle tissue. Our aim was to investigate the difference in pressure pain sensitivity over musculoskeletal and nerve symptomatic and distant areas between women with frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) and healthy subjects. Thirty-two women with FETTH and 32 matched healthy women participated. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was bilaterally assessed over several nerve trunks (greater occipital, median, radial, ulnar, common peroneal, tibialis posterior) and musculoskeletal structures (temporalis muscle, C5/C6 joint, tibialis anterior) by an assessor blinded to the subject's condition. A four-week headache diary was used to collect the intensity, frequency, and duration of headache. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to determine anxiety and depressive levels. Analysis of covariance found lower widespread and bilateral PPTs over all nerve trunks and musculoskeletal structures in women with FETTH pain (P < 0.001). No significant effect of anxiety and depressive levels on PPTs was found (all P > 0.222). PPT over the temporalis muscle was significantly negatively correlated with headache intensity. This study found widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity over both nerve trunks and musculoskeletal structures in women with FETTH, suggesting that the presence of central altered nociceptive processing is not just restricted to musculoskeletal areas, for example, muscles, but also pain evoked from directly provoking the nerve trunks by pressure. It is also possible that nerve tissue treatment could lead to a decrease in central sensitization and headache features.

Widespread Pressure Pain Hyperalgesia Is Not Related to Pain in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Pain is one of the most frequent nonmotor impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is hypothesized to be associated with altered nociceptive pain processing. Our aims were to investigate differences in widespread pressure pain sensitivity between PD patients with and without pain and healthy controls and to assess the relationship of health-related quality of life and sleep quality with pressure pain sensitivity. Nineteen PD patients with pain (12 men, age = 68 ± 9 years), 19 PD patients without pain (11 men, age = 69 ± 8 years), and 19 matched controls participated. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed bilaterally over the cervical spine, the second metacarpal, and the tibialis anterior by an assessor blinded to the subject's condition. Patients were assessed in a dopamine-medicated (ON) state. Pain intensity (numerical pain rating scale, 0-10), health-related quality of life (39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were also assessed. No significant differences existed between PD patients, with or without pain, and healthy controls on PPTs over the cervical spine, the second metacarpal, or the tibialis anterior muscle (all P > 0.3). PPTs were lower in females than in males in all groups (P < 0.01). In PD patients with pain, worse quality of sleep was associated with higher widespread pressure pain sensitivity (-0.607 < r < -0.535, P < 0.05). No other significant association was observed. This study revealed no differences in widespread pressure hyperalgesia between PD patients with or without pain (ON state) and controls. Although dopamine may modulate pain responses, other mechanisms seems to also be implicated in altered nociceptive pain processing in patients with PD.

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 Val158Met Polymorphism is Associated With Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity and Depression in Women With Chronic, but not Episodic, Tension-Type Headache.

The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the association between the rs4680 Val158Met polymorphism in frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH); and (2) to analyze the association between the rs4680 Val158Met polymorphism with clinical, psychological, or psychophysical variables. In total, 50 women with FETTH, 50 with CTTH, and 50 matched headache-free women participated. After amplifying Val158Met polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction, the genotype frequencies and allele distributions based on restriction fragment length polymorphism were assessed. Participants were classified according to the Val158Met polymorphism rs4680 genotype (Val/Val, Val/Met, or Met/Met). A headache diary collected clinical features. Disability (Headache Disability Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and depression/anxiety levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were also assessed. Pressure pain thresholds were assessed bilaterally over the temporalis, upper trapezius, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior by a blinded assessor. The distribution of rs4680 Val158Met genotype was not significantly different between women with/without headache (P=0.796). No differences in headache features, disability, anxiety, or sleep quality were observed depending on the rs4680 Val158Met genotype. Women with CTTH, but not FETTH, carrying the Met/Met genotype had lower widespread pressure pain thresholds and higher depressive symptoms than those with Val/Val or Val/Met genotype (P<0.05). The Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) does not appear to be involved in predisposition to tension-type headache; however, this genetic factor may be involved in the pathogenesis expression of CTTH, as greater pressure pain sensitivity and higher depressive levels were found in CTTH carrying the Met/Met genotype.

Active Trigger Points Are Associated With Anxiety and Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Women, but not Men, With Tension Type Headache.

A better understanding of gender differences can assist clinicians in further developing therapeutic programs in tension type headache (TTH). To evaluate gender differences in the presence of trigger points (TrPs) in the head, neck, and shoulder muscles and their relationship with headache features, pressure pain sensitivity, and anxiety in people with TTH. Two hundred and ten (59 men, 151 women) patients with TTH participated. TrPs were bilaterally explored in the temporalis, masseter, suboccipital, upper trapezius, splenius capitis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Headache features were collected using a 4-week headache diary. Trait and state anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over the temporalis, C5/C6 joint, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior were assessed. Women with TTH exhibited a significantly higher number of total (P = 0.027) and active (P = 0.030), but similar number of latent (P = 0.461), TrPs than men with TTH. Active TrPs in the temporalis, suboccipital, and splenius capitis muscles were the most prevalent in both men and women with TTH. The number of active TrPs was associated with anxiety levels (r = 0.217; P = 0.045) in women, but not in men (P = 0.453): the higher the number of active TrPs, the more the trait levels of anxiety. Women exhibited lower PPTs than men (all, P < 0.001). In men, the number of active, but not latent, TrPs was negatively associated with localized PPTs (all, P < 0.05), whereas in women, the number of active and latent TrPs was negatively associated with PPTs in all points (all, P < 0.01): the higher the number of TrPs, the lower the widespread PPTs. This study described gender differences in the presence of TrPs in TTH. Women with TTH showed lower PPTs than men. The association between TrPs, anxiety levels, and pressure pain hyperalgesia seems to be more pronounced in women than in men with TTH.

Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity and Referred Pain from Trigger Points in Patients with Upper Thoracic Spine Pain.

The presence of trigger points (MTrPs) and pressure pain sensitivity has been well documented in subjects with neck and back pain; however, it has yet to be examined in people with upper thoracic spine pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of MTrPs and mechanical pain sensitivity in individuals with upper thoracic spine pain. Seventeen subjects with upper thoracic spine pain and 17 pain-free controls without spine pain participated. MTrPs were examined bilaterally in the upper trapezius, rhomboid, iliocostalis thoracic, levator scapulae, infraspinatus, and anterior and middle scalene muscles. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed over T2, the C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint, the second metacarpal, and the tibialis anterior. The numbers of MTrPs between both groups were significantly different (P < 0.001) between patients and controls. The number of MTrPs for each patient with upper thoracic spine pain was 12.4 ± 2.8 (5.7 ± 4.0 active TrPs, 6.7 ± 3.4 latent TrPs). The distribution of MTrPs was significantly different between groups, and active MTrPs within the rhomboid (75%), anterior scalene (65%), and middle scalene (47%) were the most prevalent in patients with upper thoracic spine pain. A higher number of active MTrPs was associated with greater pain intensity and longer duration of pain history. This study identified active MTrPs and widespread pain hypersensitivity in subjects with upper thoracic spine pain compared with asymptomatic people. Identifying proper treatment strategies might be able to reduce pain and improve function in individuals with upper thoracic spine pain. However, future studies are needed to examine this.

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Val158Met Polymorphism Is Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Women with Chronic, but Not Episodic, Migraine.

To analyze the association between the rs4680 catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism and to determine the association of this polymorphism with clinical, psychological, and pain sensitivity variables in women with episodic or chronic migraine. Fifty women with episodic migraine, 50 with chronic migraine, and 50 matched healthy women participated. After amplifying the Val158Met polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction, we assessed genotype frequencies and allele distributions. Participants were classified according to the Val158Met polymorphism genotype into Val/Val, Val/Met, or Met/Met. A headache diary was used for collecting migraine pain features. Disability was assessed with the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, trait/state anxiety levels with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and depression/anxiety with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were bilaterally assessed over the temporalis, the upper trapezius, the second metacarpal, and the tibialis anterior. The distribution of the rs4680 Val158Met genotype was not significantly different between women with and without migraine (P = 0.157). No differences in migraine features were found to be dependent on the Val158Met genotype. Women with the Met/Met genotype showed higher migraine-related disability than those with the Val/Val or Val/Met genotype in both migraine groups (P < 0.01). Women with chronic, but not episodic, migraine with the Met/Met genotype exhibited higher depressive and anxiety levels and lower PPTs than those with the Val/Val or Val/Met genotype. The Val158Met rs4680 polymorphism does not appear to be involved in predisposition to suffer from migraine; however, this genetic factor may be involved in the phenotypic expression of chronic migraine, as anxiety, depression, and widespread pressure pain sensitivity were greater in those women with chronic, but not episodic, migraine with the Met/Met genotype.

Changes in Cervicocephalic Kinesthetic Sensibility, Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, and Neck Pain After Cervical Thrust Manipulation in Patients With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of the current randomized clinical trial was to examine the effects of cervical thrust manipulation or sham manipulation on cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sense, pain, pain-related disability, and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with mechanical neck pain. MethodsFifty-four individuals with neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either a cervical manipulation (right or left) or a sham manipulation. Immediate outcomes included cervical kinesthetic sense as assessed by joint position sense error (JPSE) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs). At 1 week, neck pain intensity (numerical pain rate scale) and neck pain-related disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI]) outcomes were also collected. ResultsThe mixed-model analysis of covariance revealed a significant group × time interaction in favor of the cervical thrust manipulation group for the JPSE on rotation and extension. There was also a significant interaction for changes in PPTs at C5 to C6 and tibialis anterior. At the 1-week follow-up, a significant interaction existed for neck-related disability but not for neck pain at rest, worst pain, or lowest pain experienced the preceding week. ConclusionsOur results suggest that cervical spine thrust manipulation improves JPSE, PPT and NDI in participants with chronic mechanical neck pain. Furthermore, changes in JPSE and NDI were large and surpass published minimal detectable changes for these outcome measures. In addition, the effect sizes of PPTs were medium; however, only C5 to C6 zygapophyseal joint exceeded the minimal detectable change. In contrast, cervical thrust manipulation did not improve neck pain intensity at 1 week after the intervention.

The Central Sensitization Inventory and Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire: An exploration of construct validity and associations with widespread pain sensitivity among individuals with shoulder pain

BackgroundThe Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) are alternatives to quantitative sensory testing (QST) for inferring central sensitization. ObjectiveExplore 1) comparative validity of the CSI and PSQ with QST (construct validity) and pain-related psychological questionnaires (concurrent validity), and 2) associations with widespread pain sensitivity. MethodsSeventy-eight participants with unilateral shoulder pain less than 6 months (mean ± SD age = 39.0 ± 14.5 years, N (%) females = 36 (46.2%)) completed the CSI, PSQ, psychological questionnaires, and underwent QST for local and remote pressure pain thresholds (PPT), heat pain threshold, and suprathreshold heat pain ratings. Data from 25 age and sex-matched healthy participants (mean ± SD age = 35.2 ± 11.1 year, N (%) females = 13 (52.0%)) were used to determine a composite index for widespread pressure pain sensitivity in the shoulder pain group. Analyses included correlations between measures and between-group comparisons. ResultsOnly the PSQ was associated with remote PPT (rho range = −0.25 to −0.27). Both the CSI and PSQ were associated with resilience (rho range = −0.29 to −0.39), anxiety (rho range = 0.25 to 0.66), and negative affect (rho range = 0.27 to 0.67). Neither the CSI nor PSQ were associated with widespread pain sensitivity (p > 0.05). Resilience (adjusted OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.18; 0.94) was a distinctive feature for widespread pain sensitivity. ConclusionsThese preliminary findings challenge the exclusive use of the CSI or PSQ for inferring central sensitization among individuals with shoulder pain.

Perceived Pain Extent is Not Associated With Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, Clinical Features, Related Disability, Anxiety, or Depression in Women With Episodic Migraine.

People with migraine present with varying pain extent and an expanded distribution of perceived pain may reflect central sensitization. The relationship between pain extent and clinical features, psychological outcomes, related disability, and pressure pain sensitivity in migraine has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to investigate whether the perceived pain extent, assessed from pain drawings, relates to measures of pressure pain sensitivity, clinical, psychological outcomes, and related disability in women with episodic migraine. A total of 72 women with episodic migraine completed pain drawings, which were subsequently digitized allowing pain extent to be calculated utilising novel software. Pressure pain thresholds were assessed bilaterally over the temporalis muscle (trigeminal area), the cervical spine (extratrigeminal area), and tibialis anterior muscle (distant pain-free area). Clinical features of migraine, migraine-related disability (migraine disability assessment questionnaire [MIDAS]), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale [HADS]) were also assessed. Spearman ρ correlation coefficients were computed to reveal correlations between pain extent and the remaining outcomes. No significant associations were observed between pain extent and pressure pain thresholds in trigeminal, extratrigeminal or distant pain-free areas, migraine pain features, or psychological variables including anxiety or depression, and migraine-related disability. Pain extent within the trigeminocervical area was not associated with any of the measured clinical outcomes and not related to the degree of pressure pain sensitization in women with episodic migraine. Further research is needed to determine if the presence of expanded pain areas outside of the trigeminal area can play a relevant role in the sensitization processes in migraine.

Roller pressure algometry as a new tool for assessing dynamic pressure sensitivity in migraine

Objectives To explore the validity of the roller pressure algometer as a new tool for evaluating dynamic pressure sensitivity by assessing its association with pain features and widespread pressure pain sensitivity in migraine women, and also to determine whether dynamic pressure algometry differentiates between episodic and chronic migraine. Methods One hundred and twenty women with migraine (42% chronic, 58% episodic) participated. Dynamic pressure sensitivity was assessed with a set of roller pressure algometers (Aalborg University, Denmark®) consisting of 11 rollers with fixed pressure levels from 500 to 5300 g. Each roller was moved at a speed of 0.5 cm/sec over a 60 mm horizontal line covering the temporalis muscle. The dynamic pain threshold (the pressure level of the first painful roller) and pain elicited during the pain threshold (roller evoked pain) were determined. Static pressure pain thresholds were assessed over the temporalis muscle, C5/C6 joint, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior. Results Side-to-side consistency between dynamic pain threshold (rs = 0.769, p < 0.001) and roller evoked pain (rs = 0.597; p < 0.001) were found. Women with chronic migraine exhibited bilateral lower dynamic pain thresholds ( p < 0.01), but similar widespread pressure pain thresholds (all, p > 0.284) than those with episodic migraine. Dynamic pain threshold was moderately positively associated with widespread pressure pain thresholds (0.358 > rs > 0.700, all p < 0.001). This association was slightly stronger in chronic migraine. Pain during dynamic pain threshold was negatively associated with widespread pressure pain thresholds (-0.336 < rs < -0.235, all p < 0.01). Conclusions Roller pressure algometry was valid for assessing dynamic pressure sensitivity in migraine in the trigeminal area and is consistent with widespread static pressure pain sensitivity. Roller, but not static, pressure algometry differentiated between episodic and chronic migraine. Assessing static and dynamic deep somatic tissue sensitivity may provide new opportunities for evaluating treatment outcomes.

Trigger Points, Pressure Pain Hyperalgesia, and Mechanosensitivity of Neural Tissue in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain.

This study aims to evaluate the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs), widespread pressure pain sensitivity, and mechanosensitivity of neural tissue in women with chronic pelvic pain. Case-control study. Faculty of Health Sciences. Forty women with chronic pelvic pain between age 18 and 60 years and 40 matched healthy controls were included in the study. TrPs were bilaterally explored in gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, quadratus lumborum, and adductor magnus muscles. The referred pain reproduced lumbopelvic symptoms. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were also bilaterally assessed over the Pfannenstiel incision point on the abdominal, C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior muscle. Mechanosensitivity of neural tissue was assessed with the neurodynamics tests of slump and the straight-leg raising. Significant between-group differences were found in TrP presence in patients with chronic pelvic pain (P < 0.001) compared with those included in the control group. Widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia was also found, with PPTs significantly reduced in the points assessed. Neurodynamics show a significantly decreased value in women with CPP. Patients with chronic pelvic pain presented a high percentage of TrPs that reproduce their symptoms. Patients also showed a widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia and more mechanosensitive neural tissue due to a decrease on the range of motion related to neurodynamics.

Evidence for Central Sensitization in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Several authors have evaluated different pain measurements, including quantitative sensory testing (QST), temporal summation (TS), and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in order to determine the presence of central sensitization (CS) and its influence on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Since there are no convincing studies about this topic, the purpose of this study was to conduct a review of the studies involving CS-related measures in TMD patients. A meta-analysis of case-control and cohort/cross sectional studies was conducted. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for relevant QST outcomes and pooled in a meta-analysis using the random effects model. Twenty-two studies (eleven case-control and eleven cross sectional studies) met the inclusion criteria; eight were included in the meta-analysis (five cross-sectional and three case-control). Patients with TMD had decreased pressure pain thresholds in both trigeminal (five studies; n = 1,985; SMD = -1.55, 95% CI -2.23 to -0.77; P < 0.01) and remote areas (five studies; n = 1,985; SMD = -1.92, 95% CI -2.95 to -0.89; P < 0.01). When analyzing for thermal hyperalgesia (hot and cold pain thresholds), differences were not found in trigeminal areas or remote areas in patients with TMD. The TS qualitative analysis showed strong evidence of spinal hyperexcitability for mechanically evoked pain. These meta-analyses support the existence of differences in widespread pressure pain sensitivity in patients with TMD when compared with asymptomatic subjects. Spinal and central hyperexcitability can be found in TMD patients as shown by an increase in mechanical TS.

Assessment of deep dynamic mechanical sensitivity in individuals with tension-type headache: The dynamic pressure algometry.

To explore the validity of dynamic pressure algometry for evaluating deep dynamic mechanical sensitivity by assessing its association with headache features and widespread pressure sensitivity in tension-type headache (TTH). One hundred and eighty-eight subjects with TTH (70% women) participated. Deep dynamic sensitivity was assessed with a dynamic pressure algometry set (Aalborg University, Denmark© ) consisting of 11 different rollers including fixed levels from 500g to 5300g. Each roller was moved at a speed of 0.5cm/s over a 60-mm horizontal line covering the temporalis muscle. Dynamic pain threshold (DPT-level of the first painful roller) was determined and pain intensity during DPT was rated on a numerical pain rate scale (NPRS, 0-10). Headache clinical features were collected on a headache diary. As gold standard, static pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over temporalis, C5/C6 joint, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior muscle. Side-to-side consistency between DPT (r=0.843, p<0.001) and pain evoked (r=0.712; p<0.001) by dynamic algometer was observed. DPT was moderately associated with widespread PPTs (0.526>r>0.656, all p<0.001). Furthermore, pain during DPT was negatively associated with widespread PPTs (-0.370<r<-0.162, all p<0.05). Dynamic pressure algometry was a valid tool for assessing deep dynamic mechanical sensitivity in TTH. DPT was associated with widespread pressure sensitivity independently of the frequency of headaches supporting that deep dynamic pressure sensitivity within the trigeminal area is consistent with widespread pressure sensitivity. Assessing deep static and dynamic somatic tissue pain sensitivity may provide new opportunities for differentiated diagnostics and possibly a new tool for assessing treatment effects. The current study found that dynamic pressure algometry in the temporalis muscle was associated with widespread pressure pain sensitivity in individuals with tension-type headache. The association was independent of the frequency of headaches. Assessing deep static and dynamic somatic tissue pain sensitivity may provide new opportunities for differentiated diagnostics and possibly a tool for assessing treatment effects.

Effectiveness of manual therapy versus surgery in pain processing due to carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

People with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) exhibit widespread pressure pain and thermal pain hypersensitivity as a manifestation of central sensitization. The aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness of manual therapy versus surgery for improving pain and nociceptive gain processing in people with CTS. The trial was conducted at a local regional Hospital in Madrid, Spain from August 2014 to February 2015. In this randomized parallel-group, blinded, clinical trial, 100 women with CTS were randomly allocated to either manual therapy (n=50), who received three sessions (once/week) of manual therapies including desensitization manoeuvres of the central nervous system, or surgical intervention (n=50) group. Outcomes including pressure pain thresholds (PPT), thermal pain thresholds (HPT or CPT), and pain intensity which were assessed at baseline, and 3, 6, 9 and 12months after the intervention by an assessor unaware of group assignment. Analysis was by intention to treat with mixed ANCOVAs adjusted for baseline scores. At 12months, 95 women completed the follow-up. Patients receiving manual therapy exhibited higher increases in PPT over the carpal tunnel at 3, 6 and 9months (all, p<0.01) and higher decrease of pain intensity at 3month follow-up (p<0.001) than those receiving surgery. No significant differences were observed between groups for the remaining outcomes. Manual therapy and surgery have similar effects on decreasing widespread pressure pain sensitivity and pain intensity in women with CTS. Neither manual therapy nor surgery resulted in changes in thermal pain sensitivity. The current study found that manual therapy and surgery exhibited similar effects on decreasing widespread pressure pain sensitivity and pain intensity in women with carpal tunnel syndrome at medium- and long-term follow-ups investigating changes in nociceptive gain processing after treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome.