Changes in Pain Sensitivity and Conditioned Pain Modulation During Recovery From Whiplash-associated Disorders

The objective of this study was to investigate the pain-sensory profile of patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) prior and post 2 weeks of standardized rehabilitation and after a 6-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two WAD participants (grade II; 14 women) and 22 sex-matched and age-matched healthy pain-free controls were enrolled. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at local and distal muscles. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) of PPTs was assessed using cuff pressure around the upper arm. Referred area of pain following supra-threshold pressure stimulation of the infraspinatus muscle was recorded on a body chart. Psychometric variables (pain intensity, area of perceived pain, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, sleep problems, and depression level) were assessed. WAD group additionally completed the Neck Disability Index. Results: The WAD group demonstrated lower local PPTs compared with controls at all time points (P
Source: The Clinical Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research