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The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has been shown to play a modulatory role in nociception. However, analgesic effects of OT in chronic pain conditions remain elusive and the neural underpinnings have not yet been investigated in humans. Here, we conducted an exploratory, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to examine effects of intranasal OT in male patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CBP) versus healthy controls (HC). N = 22 participants with CBP and 22 HCs were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they continuously rated either spontaneously occurring back pain or acute thermal pain stimuli applied to the lower back. During heat pain processing we found that OT versus PL attenuated pain intensity ratings and increased BOLD responses in the caudate nucleus of the striatum in CBP versus HCs. Spontaneously experienced pain in contrast to heat pain was associated with activation changes in the medial frontal cortex (MFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as reported in previous studies. However, we did not observe OT effects on spontaneously experienced pain in CBP patients. Overall, our preliminary data may suggest that the striatum is a key structure underlying the pain-modulating effects of OT in patients with chronic pain and adds to the growing evidence linking the neuropeptide to pain modulation in humans. Further studies on neuronal OT effects in larger samples of chronic back pain patients are needed to understand probable mechanisms of OT effects in chronic pain.
Learn More >Self-report measures are needed to better understand the relationships among sleep, itching, scratching, and chronic itch conditions and their associations with disease severity, quality of life, health, and functioning. Two scales related to sleep and/or scratch were recently developed and assessed in 137 patients with chronic itch and atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. The Scratch Intensity and Impact Scale consisted of two factors (Scratching Intensity and Impact of Scratching on Quality of Life) that accounted for 64.59% of the variance with a total of 13 items, an overall Cronbach's alphas of 0.93, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. The Sleep-Related Itch and Scratch Scale consisted of one factor that accounted for 63.01% of the variance with a total of 16 items, an overall Cronbach's alphas of 0.98, and test-retest reliability of 0.66. Both measures demonstrated significant correlations with each other as well as other itch-related measures and non-significant correlations with scales hypothesized to be unrelated. The final measures demonstrated adequate preliminary psychometric characteristics. It is hoped that these scales will be used for future research and clinical purposes to help fill recognized gaps in understanding about sleep, itch, scratching, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Learn More >Studies evaluating sensory function of the entire trigeminocervical region in patients with cluster headache (CH), migraine (MH), and tension-type headache (TH) are required. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare sensory function in the trigeminocervical region in patients with CH, MH, and TH and healthy controls (HC).
Learn More >We studied the color of lighting chosen as comfortable for reading by individuals with migraine and controls. We explored the effects of the chosen color on visual performance.
Learn More >Chronic headaches are poorly diagnosed and managed and can be exacerbated by medication overuse. There is insufficient evidence on the non-pharmacological approaches to helping people living with chronic headaches.
Learn More >To assess the long-term analgesic effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex in patients with chronic pain syndrome.
Learn More >Central sensitization (CS) has been recently identified as a significant risk factor for persistent pain and patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it remains unclear as to whether the preoperative CS persists after the elimination of a nociceptive pain source by TKA, or how CS affects the quality of life after TKA.
Learn More >Digital technologies connect young people with health services and resources that support their self-care. The lack of accessible, reliable digital resources tailored to young people with persistent musculoskeletal pain is a significant gap in the health services in Australia. Recognizing the intense resourcing required to develop and implement effective electronic health (eHealth) interventions, the adaptation of extant, proven digital technologies may improve access to pain care with cost and time efficiencies.
Learn More >We report the outcome of a pilot, open-label study that tested the potential of lacosamide (200 mg/bi.d) as an effective and safe symptomatic treatment against acute painful oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OXAIPN).
Learn More >: Cost utility analysis is increasingly used by decision makers in patient management with chronic disease. Generic preference-based measures are used to evaluate disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).: To evaluate if Short Form Six Dimensions (SF-6Dv2) is correlated with specific current questionnaires used in chronic low back pain (CLBP) and if a predictive equation of SF-6Dv2 could be established.: Between October 2018 and January 2019, an online survey on CLBP was conducted. HRQoL was measured with two specific questionnaires, i.e. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and with the new version of the SF-6Dv2 as a generic preference-based measure.: 402 subjects completed at least two of the three HRQoL questionnaires. Mean (95% confidence interval) of SF-6Dv2, ODI or RMDQ were respectively 0.561 (0.553-0.569), 43.7 (42.1-45.2) and 10.3 (9.8-10.8). SF-6Dv2 was moderately correlated with ODI and RMDQ (r=-0.635 and r=-0.542, p<0.001). The best model to predict SF-6Dv2 explained 50.6% of variability and included ODI. The correlation between actual and predicted SF-6Dv2 was 0.71. Principal predictors were ODI, age and life satisfaction (0-10 cm).: This study demonstrated that SF-6Dv2 was moderately correlated with ODI and RMDQ and that ODI was a better predictor. There was a strong correlation between actual and predicted SF-6Dv2 from multivariate models. These results suggest that the model can be used in similar studies to estimate the SF-6Dv2 when it was not measured.
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