The Effect of Experimental Neck Pain in Healthy Participants - The Transition From Acute to Ongoing Pain
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Sponsor
- Aalborg University
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured with a handheld pressure algometer
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study investigates if/how an experimentally applied muscle pain/soreness, lasting for some days may affect brain activity, balance, movement patterns, muscle function and pain sensitivity in a healthy population
Detailed Description
All included healthy volunteers will participate in test-sessions on 4 separate days over approximately 2 weeks. During the study participants will be randomised into and either a control group (injection of isotonic saline into a neck muscle) or neck pain group (injection of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) into a neck muscle). Alle participants tested with regards to: Brain activity related to neck muscles will be estimated using TMS Balance will be tested using a force place Body movements will be recorded using 3D tracking Muscle activity will be estimated using electromyography (EMG)
Investigators
Steffan Wittrup Christensen
Assistant professor
Aalborg University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy men and women aged 18-50 years
- •Only for sub-projects 1 and 2: Right-handed
- •Able to speak, read and understand Danish and English
Exclusion Criteria
- •Pain from the neck or shoulder area during the past 6 months
- •Experience of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) during the week leading up to the test session
- •Former surgery in neck or shoulder
- •Current or previous chronic or recurrent pain condition
- •Pregnancy
- •Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
- •Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses
- •Regular use of analgesics
- •Abnormally disrupted sleep in the last 24 hours preceding the experiment
- •Lack of ability to cooperate
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured with a handheld pressure algometer
Time Frame: Day 0, 2,4 and 15
PPT will be assessed over head, neck, arm and leg sites.
Change in motor evoked potentials
Time Frame: Day 0, 4 and 15
Trans cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to asses motor evoked potentials of neck muscles
Change in Body movement
Time Frame: Day 0, 4 and 15
3D recordings of body movements
Secondary Outcomes
- The Big Five Inventory (BFI)(Day 2)
- Change in standing balance(Day 0, 4 and 15)
- Disability(Day 0, 2,4 and 15)
- Pain Catastrophizing Scale (13 item questionnaire)(Day 2)
- Change in muscle activity (EMG)(Day 0, 4 and 15)
- Change in perceived pain: McGill Pain Questionnaire(Day 0, 2,4 and 15)