Logo image
A disturbance in sensory processing on the affected side of the body increases limb pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A disturbance in sensory processing on the affected side of the body increases limb pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

P.D. Drummond and P.M. Finch
Clinical Journal of Pain, Vol.30(4), pp.301-306
2014
pdf
A_Disturbance_in_Sensory_Processing_on_the_Affected_Side_of_the_Body_Increases_Limb_Pain_in_Complex_Regional_Pain_Syndrome_2013.pdfDownloadView
Author’s Version Open Access
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView
url
Free to Read *No subscription requiredView

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether a central disturbance in somatosensory processing contributes to limb pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods: In 37 patients with CRPS, the effect of cooling the ipsilateral forehead on pain in the affected limb was compared with the effect of cooling the contralateral forehead. In addition, symptoms associated with cold-evoked limb pain were explored. Results: Limb pain generally increased when the ipsilateral side of the forehead was cooled but did not change when the contralateral side of the forehead was cooled. Increases were greatest in patients with heightened sensitivity to cold, brushing, and pressure-pain in the ipsilateral forehead, in patients with heightened sensitivity to pressure-pain in the limbs, and in patients with chronic symptoms. In contrast, sensitivity to light touch was diminished in the CRPS-affected limb of patients whose limb pain remained unchanged or decreased during ipsilateral forehead cooling. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that a central disturbance in sensory processing and pain modulation, which extends beyond the affected limb to the ipsilateral forehead, contributes to symptoms in a subgroup of patients with CRPS.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

Metrics

209 File views/ downloads
40 Record Views

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Citation topics
1 Clinical & Life Sciences
1.43 Anesthesiology
1.43.1905 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Web Of Science research areas
Anesthesiology
Clinical Neurology
ESI research areas
Neuroscience & Behavior
Logo image