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Spread of Muscle Hyperalgesia and Pain in a Low Dose NGF-induced Pain Model

Early Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Hyperalgesia
Healthy Subjects
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03217942
Lead Sponsor
Aalborg University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate and determine the time course and distribution on muscle hyperalgesia and muscle pain in a repeated, low dose NGF model. It is hypothesized that low dosages i.m injections of NGF are able to induce mechanical hyperalgesia and muscle soreness in a same manner (effect of duration) as for dosages previously used in NGF studies. Furthermore, it is also speculated if several injections of low dose NGF into the muscle combined are able to course immediate pain sensation and spreading of muscle hypersensitivity.

Detailed Description

Effects of pain responses, symptom development and pattern (time course and distribution) following 5 i.m low dose injections of NGF injected into the tibialis anterior muscle will be compared to a high dose i.m injection of NGF injected into the contralateral side in healthy pain-free subjects.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy and pain free volunteers
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnancy
  • Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
  • Previous neurologic, mental illnesses, or psychiatric diseases.
  • Past history of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system (muscle, joint, cartilage, connective tissue)
  • Participation in other pain trials throughout the study period
  • Lack of ability to cooperate
  • Taking any analgesic 24 hours before the injections
  • Performing any strenuous leg exercise through out the study period causing sore muscles

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Low doseNGFAll participants will receive 5 i.m injections of NGF (1 ug/0.5ml) into the tibialis anterior muscle (either left or right leg)
High doseNGFAll participants will receive 1 high dose i.m bolus injection of NGF (5 ug/0.5ml) and 4 injections of saline (control/same volume) into the tibialis anterior muscle (either left or right leg)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Muscle sensitivityChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) are assessed over the tibialis anterior muscles using a handhold pressure algometer.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pressure-induced referred painChange from baseline at 3 weeks

At three predetermined sites within the tibialis anterior muscle, a constant pressure stimulation (120% of PPT) is evoked by use of the pressure algometer. Subjects color their perceived sensation of pain on an electronic schematic of the lower legs using Navigate Pain.

Muscle soreness DiaryChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Two times a day subjects evaluate their muscle soreness using a Likert Scale of muscle soreness for lower limp

Pain intensityAssessed continuously at 0-5 min during the injections at each leg

Subjects rate their perceived pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS) App (Aalborg University) as displayed on a tablet computer with a sample rate of 1 Hz.

Activity-induced muscle sorenessChange from baseline at 3 weeks

Subjects perform 10 dorsiflexions with each leg. The perceived muscle soreness is reported using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the area of soreness is colored on an electronic schematic of the lower legs (Navigate Pain).

Activity-induced muscle soreness DiaryChange from baseline at 1 week

Subjects perform 10 dorsiflexions with each leg. The perceived muscle soreness is reported using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the area of soreness is colored on an electronic schematic of the lower legs (Navigate Pain). The activity is performed at home on days in between the sessions

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Aalborg University

🇩🇰

Aalborg, Denmark

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