Exploring signs of central sensitization in adolescents with hypermobility Spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Background: Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) are two overlapping heritable connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, chronic pain, impaired body perception, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Central sensitization has been proposed as a plausible explanation for symptoms like widespread pain, fatigue, mood disorders, and sleep disturbances in patients with HSD/hEDS.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate signs of central sensitization, including exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), and fatigue severity in adolescents with HSD/hEDS.

Contents and delivery methods of pain neuroscience education in pediatrics: A scoping review.

Background: Pain is prevalent among children and adolescents. The development and implementation of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) strategies tailored to this population remains overlooked in contrast to the adult population.

Objective: This study sought to identify the content, delivery methods, and dosage of PNE for children and adolescents available in the literature.

Enhancing pediatric pain management in Turkey: A modified Delphi study on culturally adapted pain neuroscience education for chronic pain in children.

Background: Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) is a commonly used technique applied by physical therapists in the rehabilitation of chronic pain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to culturally adapt an existing PNE for children with chronic pain (PNE4Kids) to Turkish children with chronic pain (PNE4Kids-Turkish).

Methods: A three-round modified Delphi-study was conducted between September 2023 and February 2024.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Pain Management for Nonspecific Chronic Spinal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Insomnia is highly prevalent in patients with nonspecific chronic spinal pain (nCSP). Given the close interaction between insomnia and pain, targeting sleep problems during therapy could improve treatment outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) integrated in best-evidence pain management (BEPM) vs BEPM only in patients with nCSP and insomnia.

The Mediating Role of Pain Cognitions and Pain Sensitivity in the Treatment Effect of Perioperative Pain Neuroscience Education in People Undergoing Surgery for Lumbar Radiculopathy.

Though perioperative pain neuroscience education (PPNE) positively influences patients' surgical outcomes, little is known about the mechanisms behind this treatment's success. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential mediating role of pain cognitions and pain sensitivity in the treatment effect of PPNE on postoperative quality of life in people undergoing surgery for lumbar radiculopathy. This secondary analysis uses data from 120 participants of a randomized controlled trial who were randomized to receive either PPNE or perioperative biomedical education before undergoing surgery for lumbar radiculopathy.

Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Differences between Subgroups Based on the Central Sensitization Inventory.

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).

Do Patients with Chronic Spinal Pain and Comorbid Insomnia Have More Features of Central Sensitization? A Case-Control Study.

Background: Chronic spinal pain (CSP) is a major public health problem worldwide, frequently related to sleep problems. Central sensitization (CS) may worsen the clinical picture of CSP patients with insomnia. The aim of this study was to compare self-reported and objectively measured clinical outcomes between insomniac CSP patients with comorbid insomnia with and without symptoms of CS.

Unravelling Impaired Hypoalgesia at Rest and in Response to Exercise in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Effects of a Single Administration of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor versus Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor.

(1) Background: Noradrenaline and serotonin have modulatory roles in pain signaling and in exercise-induced hypoalgesia. Patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders often show impaired exercise-induced hypoalgesia. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the isolated effect of activating serotonergic or noradrenergic descending pathways on hypoalgesia at rest and in response to exercise in patients with chronic WAD by using respectively a single dose of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI).

The Role of Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Descending Pathways on Performance-Based Cognitive Functioning at Rest and in Response to Exercise in People with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study.

(1) Background: Dysregulation in serotonergic and noradrenergic systems may be implicated in the neurobiophysiological mechanisms underlying pain-related cognitive impairment in chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD). This study aimed to unravel the role of serotonergic and noradrenergic descending pathways in cognitive functioning at rest and in response to exercise in people with CWAD. (2) Methods: 25 people with CWAD were included in this double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study.

Effect of perioperative pain neuroscience education in people undergoing surgery for lumbar radiculopathy: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: Perioperative education should be improved to decrease unfavourable outcomes after lumbar surgery. This trial aimed to compare effectiveness in terms of pain, quality of life, pain cognition, surgical experience, healthcare use, work resumption, and cost-effectiveness of perioperative pain neuroscience education (PPNE) vs traditional biomedical education (perioperative biomedical education [PBE]) in people undergoing surgery for lumbar radiculopathy.

Methods: In this multicentre RCT (ClinicalTrials.

Central sensitization in adolescents with hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome-a feasibility study.

Background: Pain is a major symptom in adolescents with hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Although the underlying mechanism causing generalized pain in children with hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is unclear, central sensitization has been suggested as a possible explanation. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of a study protocol for a future case-control study, investigating features of central sensitization in adolescents with hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Relationship, differences, and agreement between objective and subjective sleep measures in chronic spinal pain patients with comorbid insomnia: a cross-sectional study.

Sleep disturbances are one of the most frequent reported problems in people with nonspecific chronic spinal pain (nCSP) and presents an additional treatment challenge. Interventions targeting sleep problems are mainly based on subjective sleep complaints and do not take objective sleep into consideration. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship and conformity between self-reported and objectively measured sleep parameters (ie, questionnaire vs polysomnography and actigraphy).

Exploring Associations between Healthcare Use and Demographics, Pain and Pain Cognitions in People Scheduled for Surgery for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study explored associations between demographics, pain intensity and cognitions on the one hand and healthcare use (HCU) on the other hand in people undergoing surgery for lumbar radiculopathy. HCU during the 2 months preceding surgery was evaluated using a retrospective questionnaire. Demographics included sex, age and level of education and equivalent income.

The Effect of Robot-Led Distraction during Needle Procedures on Pain-Related Memory Bias in Children with Chronic Diseases: A Pilot and Feasibility Study.

The current study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary clinical impact of robot-led distraction during needle procedures in children with chronic diseases on pain-related memories. Participants were 22 children (8−12 years old) diagnosed with a chronic disease (e.g.

Spreading the word: pediatric pain education from treatment to prevention.

Pain affects everyone hence one can argue that it is in each individual's interest to understand pain in order to hold correct and adaptive beliefs and attitudes about pain. In addition, chronic pain is reaching pandemic proportions and it is now well known that people living with chronic pain have a reduced life expectancy. To address and to prevent the growth of this public health disaster, we must start looking beyond adulthood.

Predictors for physical activity and its change after active physical therapy in people with spinal pain and insomnia: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In healthy people and people with nonspecific chronic spinal pain (nCSP) and/or insomnia, participation in physical activity on a regular basis has several physical and psychological health benefits. However, people with chronic conditions often tend to reduce physical activity participation which can lead to deconditioning over time. Currently, there are no known predictors for an (in)active lifestyle (before and after physical therapy treatment) in people with chronic spinal pain and comorbid insomnia.

Genetic and epigenetic regulation of Catechol-O-methyltransferase in relation to inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

Background: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been shown to influence clinical pain, descending modulation, and exercise-induced symptom worsening. COMT regulates nociceptive processing and inflammation, key pathophysiological features of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FM). We aimed to determine the interactions between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating COMT and its influence on inflammatory markers and symptoms in patients with CFS/FM.

Experimental Pain Measurements Do Not Relate to Pain Intensity and Pain Cognitions in People Scheduled for Surgery for Lumbar Radiculopathy.

Objective: The present cross-sectional study aims to unravel associations of pain intensity and cognitions with quantitative sensory testing in people scheduled for surgery for lumbar radiculopathy. Additionally, insight will be provided into the presence of dysfunctional nociceptive processing and maladaptive pain cognitions in this population.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia and Chronic Spinal Pain Within Physical Therapy: A Practical Guide for the Implementation of an Integrated Approach.

Most people who have nonspecific chronic spinal pain (nCSP) report comorbid insomnia. However, in current treatment strategies for nCSP, insomnia is usually not addressed. Considering the bidirectional interaction between pain and sleep and its underlying psychophysiological mechanisms, insomnia may increase the risk of developing adverse physical and psychological health outcomes and should thus no longer be left untreated.

Event-Related Potentials Following Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders.

Background: Whiplash injuries typically occur from a motor vehicle collision and lead to chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD) in 20% to 50% of cases. Changes in neurotransmission, metabolism, and networks seem to play a role in the pathogenic mechanism of CWAD.

Objectives: To further elucidate the functional brain alterations, a neurophysiological study was performed to investigate the somatosensory processing of CWAD patients by comparing the event-related potentials (ERPs) resulting from electrical nociceptive stimulation between patients suffering from CWAD and healthy controls (HC).