Faculty Collaboration Database

Conditioned pain modulation predicts exercise-induced hypoalgesia in healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2015 Jan;47(1):176-84

Date

05/30/2014

Pubmed ID

24870571

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0000000000000381

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84926118497 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   96 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is the concept that pain inhibits pain and has potential rehabilitation implications for exercise prescription. The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in pressure pain perception after a thermal conditioning stimulus (i.e., CPM) was attenuated with aging and whether CPM predicted pain relief after exercise (exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH)) in healthy young and older adults.

METHODS: Twenty young (21.9 ± 3.3 yr, 10 men) and 19 older (72.0 ± 4.5 yr, 10 men) adults participated in three sessions: one familiarization and two experimental (EIH and CPM) sessions. Pressure pain perception was assessed using a weighted Lucite edge placed on the right index finger for 1 min. EIH was determined by measuring pressure pain perception before and after prolonged submaximal isometric contraction of the elbow flexors. CPM was assessed by measuring pressure pain perception at the finger while the foot was immersed in neutral water versus painful ice water.

RESULTS: Young, but not older, adults reported a decrease in pressure pain at the finger while their foot was immersed in the ice water bath compared with the neutral bath (i.e., CPM, trial-age: P = 0.001). Pressure pain ratings decreased after exercise (P = 0.03) that was perceived as painful (peak arm pain, 7.0 ± 3.3) for both young and older adults. Regression analysis showed that after controlling for age and baseline pain, CPM predicted EIH (model adjusted R = 0.23, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS: CPM was attenuated in older adults, as measured with a noxious pressure stimulus after a thermal conditioning stimulus, and adults with greater CPM were more likely to report greater EIH.

Author List

Lemley KJ, Hunter SK, Bement MK

Author

Marie Hoeger Bement MPT,PhD Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adaptation, Physiological
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Arm
Cold Temperature
Exercise
Female
Foot
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Immersion
Isometric Contraction
Male
Muscle, Skeletal
Pain Measurement
Pain Perception
Pain Threshold
Pressure
Water
Young Adult