Impact of electrical muscle stimulation-induced muscle contractions on endogenous pain modulatory system: a quantitative sensory testing evaluation.

Background: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is characterized by a reduction in pain perception and sensitivity across both exercising and non-exercising body parts during and after a single bout of exercise. EIH is mediated through central and peripheral mechanisms; however, the specific effect of muscle contraction alone on EIH remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies on electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) have primarily focused on local analgesic effects, often relying on subjective pain reports.

Effects of motor imagery using virtual reality on pain sensitivity and affect in healthy individuals: a prospective randomized crossover study.

Objective: Exercise induces a hypoalgesic response and improves affect. However, some individuals are unable to exercise for various reasons. Motor imagery, involving kinesthetic and visual imagery without physical movement, activates brain regions associated with these benefits and could be an alternative for those unable to exercise.

A decision tree algorithm to identify predictors of post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome.

This prospective cohort study aimed to identify the risk factors for post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) using a decision tree algorithm while comprehensively assessing upper limb and lower limb disuse and physical inactivity. Upper limb disuse (Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity [FMA-UE], Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log), lower limb disuse (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower extremity [FMA-LE]), balance performance (Berg balance scale), and physical inactivity time (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form [IPAQ-SF]) of 195 stroke patients who visited the Kishiwada Rehabilitation Hospital were assessed at admission. The incidence of post-stroke CRPS was 15.

Characteristic Behaviors of Pain During Movement in the Older Individuals with Dementia.

Purpose: This study assessed the pain associated with movement and exercise in older individuals with cognitive decline, using the Abbey Pain Scale (APS) to identify the sub-items that effectively reflect pain during such activities.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 225 older patients with musculoskeletal disorders and cognitive decline at the Ikeda Rehabilitation Hospital in Toyama, Japan. Pain during walking or transferring was assessed using the verbal rating scale (VRS) and the APS.

Pathology of knee osteoarthritis pain: contribution of joint structural changes and pain sensitization to movement-evoked pain in knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Movement-evoked pain (MEP) is the primary symptom in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of joint structural changes and pain sensitization to the mechanisms of MEP in patients with KOA.

Methods: A total of 86 patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, osteoarthritis severity, Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score-Hoffa synovitis and bone marrow lesions, pressure pain threshold and temporal summation of pain at the knee and forearm, Central Sensitization Inventory-9, and MEP.

Decrease in current perception thresholds of A-beta fibers by subthreshold noise stimulation using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Developing effective supplements and rehabilitation of the impaired tactile and proprioception sensation is a significant challenge. One potential method for improving these sensations in clinical practice is using stochastic resonance with white noise. While transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a simple method, the effect of subthreshold noise stimulation via TENS on sensory nerve thresholds is currently unknown.

Effects of Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia at Different Aerobic Exercise Intensities in Healthy Young Adults.

Purpose: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a reduction in pain sensitivity that occurs following a single bout of exercise. However, little research has compared the EIH effects of exercise at different intensities, including low intensity, in the same participant. It is unclear as to which exercise intensities demonstrate EIH more effectively.

Predictive Value of Pain Sensitization Associated with Response to Exercise Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative disease with inflammation, becoming persistent as it progresses, resulting in reduced quality of life. Exercise is the recommended treatment for KOA; however, the extent of pain reduction with exercise is heterogeneous and the prognostic implications of baseline factors in patients undergoing exercise are still unknown. This study examined the association between the response to exercise therapy and clinical outcomes, radiologic severity, and pain sensitization, and investigated the optimal predictive value for the effectiveness of exercise.

Post-Stroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Upper Limb Inactivity in Hemiplegic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and to examine the characteristics of inactivity status of the upper limb in post-stroke CRPS patients. In addition, as a sub-analysis, the association between the upper limb inactivity status and pain intensity was investigated in post-stroke CRPS patients.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 102 patients with first-ever stroke between April 2019 and February 2020.

Inhibition of current perception thresholds in A-delta and C fibers through somatosensory stimulation of the body surface.

Somatosensory stimulation of the body surface, such as through tactile and noxious stimulation, is widely known to inhibit pain. However, no studies have measured the threshold changes due to somatosensory stimulation of each nerve fiber (Aβ, Aδ, and C) separately. We examined the changes in the current perception thresholds of Aδ, C, and Aβ fibers induced by non-noxious and noxious somatosensory stimulation of the body surface.

Effects of a 12-week workplace counseling program on physical activity and low back pain: A pilot randomized controlled study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). However, it is not clear that PA interventions in the workplace can improve LBP.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of workplace counseling on PA and LBP among workers.

Association of Chronic Pain with Radiologic Severity and Central Sensitization in Hip Osteoarthritis Patients.

Purpose: Pain and joint deformity are the most common symptoms of hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, no significant association between pain and severity of radiographic lesions has been reported. Recently, central sensitization has been suggested as an underlying mechanism of pain in OA.

Jaw Exercise Therapy and Psychoeducation to Reduce Oral Parafunctional Activities for the Management of Persistent Dentoalveolar Pain.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the effects of our original combination therapy treatment on patients with nonodontogenic persistent dentoalveolar pain.

Methods: Twenty-one patients suffering from persistent dentoalveolar pain (nineteen females and two males; mean age ± standard deviation: 55.7 ± 19.

The Association Between Constipation or Stool Consistency and Pain Severity in Patients With Chronic Pain.

Background: Bacteria can influence a variety of gut functions. Some studies showed that stool consistency and constipation were associated with gut microbiome (GM) composition, and enterotype, dysbiosis. Growing evidence indicates the significant role of GM in the homeostatic function of the host body.

Discordant Relationship Between Evaluation of Facial Expression and Subjective Pain Rating Due to the Low Pain Magnitude.

Introduction: Facial expression to pain is an important pain indicator; however, facial movements look unresponsive when perceiving mild pain. The present study investigates whether pain magnitude modulates the relationship between subjective pain rating and an observer's evaluation of facial expression.

Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited to obtain 108 samples for pain rating with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Analysis of follow-up data from an outpatient pain management program for refractory chronic pain.

Background: Numerous reports indicate that multifaceted pain management programs based on cognitive-behavioral principles are associated with clinically meaningful long-term improvements in chronic pain. However, this has not yet been investigated in Japan. This study investigated the effects of a multifaceted pain management program in Japanese patients with chronic pain, both immediately after the program and 6 months thereafter.

Higher pain rating results in lower variability of somatosensory cortex activation by painful mechanical stimuli: An fMRI study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to find pain-related brain activity which corresponds to self-report pain ratings based on degree of response and repeatability.

Methods: Three painful mechanical stimuli were applied to the right hands of 25 healthy volunteers using monofilaments (forces of 0.98N, 2.

Locomotive syndrome is associated not only with physical capacity but also degree of depression.

Background: Reports of locomotive syndrome (LS) have recently been increasing. Although physical performance measures for LS have been well investigated to date, studies including psychiatric assessment are still scarce. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate both physical and mental parameters in relation to presence and severity of LS using a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25) questionnaire.

[Concept of the Pain Rehabilitation].

Pain causes physical disability and psychosocial issues and consequently reduces quality of life. Pain rehabilitation with exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, interdisciplinary rehabilitation and patient education improves not only subjective pain perception but also pain-associated dysfunction. The pain rehabilitation is characterized by enabling self-management based on patient-centered perspective and decision-making by the patient.

Integration of a Kampo medicine, Nijutsuto, and Western medical treatment in the treatment of long-term frozen shoulder refractory to Western medical treatment: a case series.

Objective: Frozen shoulder is a common disorder in general orthopedic practice, characterized by spontaneous onset of pain in the shoulder and accompanied by limitation of glenohumeral movement. Treatments for frozen shoulder include shoulder exercise, manual therapy, corticosteroid injection, manipulation under anesthesia, and arthroscopic capsular release. Several patients suffer from some degree of pain and range of motion limitation for up to 10 years even when these treatments are applied.

Regional differences of repeatability on visual analogue scale with experimental mechanical pain stimuli.

Pain-VAS is quite subjective as a scale, but has a tendency to assume differences in repeatability in accordance with perceived pain intensity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the repeatability of regional differences with ratings of pain-VAS. Three experimental mechanical stimuli were applied to twenty seven healthy volunteers across four sessions over four weeks within individuals.

The efficacy of a multidisciplinary group program for patients with refractory chronic pain.

Background: Chronic pain is a major problem because it can result in not only a reduction in activities of daily living and quality of life but also requires initiation of social assistance. Seeking only to eliminate pain itself would appear to be too narrow an objective, in addition to often being unachievable; therefore, a multifaceted, comprehensive approach with multiple objectives is needed.

Objective: To describe the effects of a program (the 'Chronic Pain Class') offering cognitive behavioural therapy to small groups of individuals with refractory chronic pain in Japan.

Visualization of painful experiences believed to trigger the activation of affective and emotional brain regions in subjects with low back pain.

In the management of clinical low back pain (LBP), actual damage to lower back areas such as muscles, intervertebral discs etc. are normally targeted for therapy. However, LBP may involve not only sensory pain, but also underlying affective pain which may also play an important role overall in painful events.

Comparative effects of acupressure at local and distal acupuncture points on pain conditions and autonomic function in females with chronic neck pain.

Acupressure on local and distal acupuncture points might result in sedation and relaxation, thereby reducing chronic neck pain. The aim was to investigate the effect of acupressure at local (LP) and distal acupuncture points (DP) in females with chronic neck pain. Thirty-three females were assigned to three groups: the control group did not receive any stimuli, the LP group received acupressure at local acupuncture points, GB 21, SI 14 and SI 15, and the DP group received acupressure at distal acupuncture points, LI 4, LI 10 and LI 11.