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Pain Sensitivity (pain + sensitivity)
Selected AbstractsPhysical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literatureACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2007S. Leucht Objective:, The lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened compared to the general population. We reviewed the literature on comorbid physical diseases in schizophrenia to provide a basis for initiatives to fight this unacceptable situation. Method:, We searched MEDLINE (1966 , May 2006) combining the MeSH term of schizophrenia with the 23 MeSH terms of general physical disease categories to identify relevant epidemiological studies. Results:, A total of 44 202 abstracts were screened. People with schizophrenia have higher prevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis, osteoporosis, altered pain sensitivity, sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, dental problems, and polydipsia than the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer may occur less frequently than in the general population. Eighty-six per cent of the studies came from industrialized countries limiting the generalizability of the findings. Conclusion:, The increased frequency of physical diseases in schizophrenia might be on account of factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment, but undoubtedly also results from the unsatisfactory organization of health services, from the attitudes of medical doctors, and the social stigma ascribed to the schizophrenic patients. [source] Sweet preferences and analgesia during childhood: effects of family history of alcoholism and depressionADDICTION, Issue 4 2010Julie A. Mennella ABSTRACT Aim To determine whether depression and family history of alcoholism are associated with heightened sweet preferences in children, before they have experienced alcohol or tobacco and at a time during the life-span when sweets are particularly salient. Design Between- and within-subject experimental study. Participants Children, 5,12 years old (n = 300), formed four groups based on family history of alcohol dependence up to second-degree relatives [positive (FHP) versus negative (FHN)] and depressive symptoms as determined by the Pictorial Depression Scale [depressed (PDEP) versus non-depressed (NDEP)]. Measurements Children were tested individually to measure sucrose preferences, sweet food liking and, for a subset of the children, the analgesic properties of sucrose versus water during the cold pressor test. Findings The co-occurrence of having a family history of alcoholism and self-reports of depressive symptomatology was associated significantly with a preference for a more concentrated sucrose solution, while depressive symptomatology alone was associated with greater liking for sweet-tasting foods and candies and increased pain sensitivity. Depression antagonized the analgesic properties of sucrose. Conclusions While children as a group innately like sweets and feel better after eating them, the present study reveals significant contributions of family history of alcoholism and depression to this effect. Whether the heightened sweet preference and the use of sweets to alleviate depression are markers for developing alcohol-related problems or responses that are protective are important areas for future research. [source] Side-to-side differences in pressure pain thresholds and pericranial muscle tenderness in strictly unilateral migraineEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2008C. Fernández-de-las-Peńas Previous studies dealing with pressure pain sensitivity or muscle tenderness in migraine have shown conflicting results. Our aim was to explore the differences in mechanical pain sensitivity and pericranial muscle tenderness between patients with unilateral migraine and healthy controls, and to analyse side-to-side differences in both study groups. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) at cephalic and neck points, plus local and total tenderness scores were blindly assessed in 25 patients with strictly unilateral migraine and 25 healthy subjects. For PPT in the neck there were significant differences between groups (F = 47.029; P < 0.001) and sides (F = 6.363; P < 0.01), and a significant interaction between group and side (F = 5.201; P = 0.02), while PPT in the cephalic point showed differences between groups (F = 11.774; P < 0.001), but not sides (F = 2.838; P = 0.1). The total tenderness score showed significant differences between groups (F = 6.800; P < 0.01) and sides (F = 17.699; P < 0.001), along with a significant interaction between group and side (F = 14.420; P < 0.001). Patients had lower PPT and increased pericranial tenderness on the symptomatic side as compared with the non-symptomatic side and to either side in controls (P < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were identified between the non-symptomatic side and controls (P > 0.9). In migraine patients, PPT levels and muscle tenderness scores were negatively correlated (P < 0.001). The enhancement of local tenderness scores was related to hyperesthesia of specific muscles (sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, and temporalis) rather than a generalized pericranial tenderness. Future studies should investigate the neuro-physiological basis for the laterality of allodynic and hyperalgesic responses in unilateral migraine. [source] Contribution of the Reelin signaling pathways to nociceptive processingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2008Alin L. Akopians Abstract The reeler gene encodes Reelin, a secreted glycoprotein that binds to the very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (Vldlr) and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (Apoer,2), and induces Src- and Fyn-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the intracellular adaptor protein Disabled-1 (Dab1). This Reelin,Dab1 signaling pathway regulates neuronal positioning during development. A second Reelin pathway acts through Apoer,2,exon 19 to modulate synaptic plasticity in adult mice. We recently reported positioning errors in reeler dorsal horn laminae I,II and V, and the lateral spinal nucleus. Behavioral correlates of these positioning errors include a decreased mechanical and increased thermal sensitivity in reeler mice. Here we examined mice with deletions or modifications of both the Reelin,Dab1 signaling pathway and the Reelin,Apoer,2,exon 19 pathway on a Vldlr-deficient background. We detected reeler -like dorsal horn positioning errors only in Dab1 mutant and Apoer,2/Vldlr double mutant mice. Although Dab1 mutants, like reeler, showed decreased mechanical and increased thermal sensitivity, neither the single Vldlr or Apoer,2 knockouts, nor the Apoer,2,exon 19 mutants differed in their acute pain sensitivity from controls. However, despite the dramatic alterations in acute ,pain' processing in reeler and Dab1 mutants, the exacerbation of pain processing after tissue injury (hindpaw carrageenan injection) was preserved. Finally, we recapitulated the reeler dorsal horn positioning errors by inhibiting Dab1 phosphorylation in organotypic cultures. We conclude that the Reelin,Dab1 pathway differentially contributes to acute and persistent pain, and that the plasticity associated with the Reelin,Apoer,2,exon 19 pathway is distinct from that which contributes to injury-induced enhancement of ,pain' processing. [source] Dental trait anxiety and pain sensitivity as predictors of expected and experienced pain in stressful dental proceduresEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 6 2004Ulrich Klages A prevailing hypothesis suggests that exaggerated pain expectations in dentally anxious and pain-sensitive patients might usually be disconfirmed by a lower level of pain experienced during treatment. The present study was conducted to investigate whether this contention also holds during stressful dental procedures. Patients reporting high and low levels of dental fear and of pain sensitivity were compared in their expected and experienced pain and in the concordance between the two measures. Participants were 97 patients undergoing extraction and root canal treatment. The measuring instruments used were the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), the Pain Sensitivity Index (PSI), affective and sensory pain descriptor scales, and a numerical pain-intensity scale. The results demonstrated that patients, in general, expected more pain than they subsequently experienced. Subjects with a high DAS score both expected and experienced more pain than those with a low DAS score. Within the group of subjects with a high DAS score, those indicating high pain sensitivity expected and experienced more pain than their counterparts; additionally, only those reporting low pain sensitivity disconfirmed their high pain expectancies. The results suggest that during stressful dental procedures, patients indicating dental anxiety and pain sensitivity above median levels are especially at risk of stabilizing exaggerated pain expectations and dental fear. [source] High-throughput behavioral phenotyping in the expanded panel of BXD recombinant inbred strainsGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 2 2010V. M. Philip Genetic reference populations, particularly the BXD recombinant inbred (BXD RI) strains derived from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, are a valuable resource for the discovery of the bio-molecular substrates and genetic drivers responsible for trait variation and covariation. This approach can be profitably applied in the analysis of susceptibility and mechanisms of drug and alcohol use disorders for which many predisposing behaviors may predict the occurrence and manifestation of increased preference for these substances. Many of these traits are modeled by common mouse behavioral assays, facilitating the detection of patterns and sources of genetic coregulation of predisposing phenotypes and substance consumption. Members of the Tennessee Mouse Genome Consortium (TMGC) have obtained phenotype data from over 250 measures related to multiple behavioral assays across several batteries: response to, and withdrawal from cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; "ecstasy" (MDMA), morphine and alcohol; novelty seeking; behavioral despair and related neurological phenomena; pain sensitivity; stress sensitivity; anxiety; hyperactivity and sleep/wake cycles. All traits have been measured in both sexes in approximately 70 strains of the recently expanded panel of BXD RI strains. Sex differences and heritability estimates were obtained for each trait, and a comparison of early (N = 32) and recent (N = 37) BXD RI lines was performed. Primary data are publicly available for heritability, sex difference and genetic analyses using the MouseTrack database, and are also available in GeneNetwork.org for quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection and genetic analysis of gene expression. Together with the results of related studies, these data form a public resource for integrative systems genetic analysis of neurobehavioral traits. [source] Functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) in fibromyalgia and the response to milnacipranHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue S1 2009Yves MainguyArticle first published online: 28 MAY 200 Abstract Functional imaging has been used to study response to pain in fibromyalgia patients. Functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) which tracks local changes in blood flow has a higher spatial and temporal resolution than other techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). fMRI studies in fibromyalgia patients suggest that similar levels of subjective pain result in similar central nervous system (CNS) activation in both fibromyalgia patients and controls. For a similar stimulus, however, fibromyalgia patients have a greater subjective sensation of pain. This increased sensitivity is accompanied with a decreased activity in brain regions implicated in the descending pain inhibitory pathways. The hypothesis that increased sensitivity to pain is due to decreased activity of the descending inhibitory pathways is supported by results with milnacipran. Fibromyalgia patients treated with the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, milnacipran, exhibited a reduction in pain sensitivity and a parallel increase in activity in brain regions implicated in the descending pain inhibitory pathways compared to placebo-treated patients. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effects of manual therapy and exercise directed at the cervical spine on pain and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disordersJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 9 2009R. LA TOUCHE Summary, No studies have investigated the effects of the treatments directed at the cervical spine in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Our aim was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization and exercise directed at the cervical spine on pain intensity and pressure pain sensitivity in the muscles of mastication in patients with TMD. Nineteen patients (14 females), aged 19,57 years, with myofascial TMD were included. All patients received a total of 10 treatment session over a 5-week period (twice per week). Treatment included manual therapy techniques and exercise directed at the cervical spine. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold (PPT) levels over the masseter and temporalis muscles, active pain-free mouth opening (mm) and pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and were all assessed pre-intervention, 48 h after the last treatment (post-intervention) and at 12-week follow-up period. Mixed-model anovas were used to examine the effects of the intervention on each outcome measure. Within-group effect sizes were calculated in order to assess clinical effect. The 2 × 3 mixed model anova revealed significant effect for time (F = 77·8; P < 0·001) but not for side (F = 0·2; P = 0·7) for changes in PPT over the masseter muscle and over the temporalis muscle (time: F = 66·8; P < 0·001; side: F = 0·07; P = 0·8). Post hoc revealed significant differences between pre-intervention and both post-intervention and follow-up periods (P < 0·001) but not between post-intervention and follow-up period (P = 0·9) for both muscles. Within-group effect sizes were large (d > 1·0) for both follow-up periods in both muscles. The anova found a significant effect for time (F = 78·6; P < 0·001) for changes in pain intensity and active pain-free mouth opening (F = 17·1; P < 0·001). Significant differences were found between pre-intervention and both post-intervention and follow-up periods (P < 0·001) but not between the post-intervention and follow-up period (P > 0·7). Within-group effect sizes were large (d > 0·8) for both post-intervention and follow-up periods. The application of treatment directed at the cervical spine may be beneficial in decreasing pain intensity, increasing PPTs over the masticatory muscles and an increasing pain-free mouth opening in patients with myofascial TMD. [source] Reduced Cold Pain Tolerance in Chronic Pain Patients Following Opioid DetoxificationPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 8 2008Jarred Younger PhD ABSTRACT Objective., One potential consequence of chronic opioid analgesic administration is a paradoxical increase of pain sensitivity over time. Little scientific attention has been given to how cessation of opioid medication affects the hyperalgesic state. In this study, we examined the effects of opioid tapering on pain sensitivity in chronic pain patients. Design., Twelve chronic pain patients on long-term opioid analgesic treatment were observed in a 7- to 14-day inpatient pain rehabilitation program, with cold pain tolerance assessed at admission and discharge. The majority of participants were completely withdrawn from their opioids during their stay. Outcome Measures., We hypothesized that those patients with the greatest reduction in daily opioid use would show the greatest increases in pain tolerance, as assessed by a cold pressor task. Results., A linear regression revealed that the amount of opioid medication withdrawn was a significant predictor of pain tolerance changes, but not in the direction hypothesized. Greater opioid reduction was associated with decreased pain tolerance. This reduction of pain tolerance was not associated with opioid withdrawal symptoms or changes in general pain. Conclusions., These findings suggest that the withdrawal of opioids in a chronic pain sample leads to an acute increase in pain sensitivity. [source] Neural mechanisms of cutaneous nociceptive pain. (Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Germany) Clin J Pain 2000;16:S131,S138.PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 2 2001Martin Koltzenburg: Acute mechanical, thermal, and chemically induced pains in the skin are signaled by a set of specific nociceptive afferents, which encode the magnitude of the perceived pain by their discharge intensity. After tissue injury or inflammation, a number of changes in their properties of the primary afferent occur parallel to profound changes in the central nervous system. Primary hyperalgesia (within the area of tissue injury) is best explained by changes of the properties of primary nociceptive afferents, whereas secondary hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity outside the area of tissue injury) critically requires functional changes in the central nervous system. Collectively, these changes are the basis for many forms of hyperalgesia that can present clinically as incident pain. Knowledge of the various types of hyperalgesia and their underlying mechanisms is required for better treatment of this challenging aspect of chronic pain. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,PAIN: Pain, Psychosocial, Sexual, and Psychophysical Characteristics of Women with Primary vs.THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009Secondary Provoked Vestibulodynia ABSTRACT Introduction., Women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), a common cause of dyspareunia, are typically considered a homogeneous group. However, research suggests that differences on some factors (e.g., medical history, pain characteristics, psychological functioning, treatment response) exist based upon whether the pain was present at first intercourse (primary PVD: PVD1) or developed at some later point (secondary PVD: PVD2). Aims., The purpose of this study was to examine differences in demographic variables, pain characteristics, psychosocial and psychosexual adjustment, and pain sensitivity between women with PVD1 and PVD2. Methods., Twenty-six women suffering from PVD (13 with PVD1 and 13 with PVD2) completed a screening assessment, a standardized gynecological examination, an interview, questionnaires, and a quantitative sensory testing session. Main Outcome Measures., These included pain ratings during the gynecological examination and interview, scores on measures of psychosocial/sexual functioning (e.g., Short Form-36 [SF-36] Health Survey, Female Sexual Function Index), and thresholds and pain ratings during thermal sensory testing over the dominant forearm and vulvar vestibule. Results., The women with PVD1 were more likely to be nulliparous, but they were not significantly different from the women with PVD2 on other demographic variables or in their pain ratings during the gynecological examination. The women with PVD1 reported lower levels of social and emotional functioning and heightened anxiety surrounding body exposure during sexual activity, and they also displayed lower heat pain tolerance over the forearm and lower heat detection and pain thresholds at the vulvar vestibule than the women with PVD2. Conclusions., The findings from this study support previous research indicating that women with PVD1 and PVD2 differ in a number of domains. Further research is needed to confirm and elaborate on these findings. Sutton KS, Pukall C, and Chamberlain S. Pain, psychosocial, sexual, and psychophysical characteristics of women with primary vs. secondary provoked vestibulodynia. J Sex Med 2009;6:205,214. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,PHYSIOLOGY: Sensation and Sexual Arousal in Circumcised and Uncircumcised MenTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2007Kimberley Payne PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Research, theory, and popular belief all suggest that penile sensation is greater in the uncircumcised as compared with the circumcised man. However, research involving direct measurement of penile sensation has been undertaken only in sexually functional and dysfunctional groups, and as a correlate of sexual behavior. There are no reports of penile sensation in sexually aroused subjects, and it is not known how arousal affects sensation. In principle, this should be more closely related to actual sexual function. Aim., This study therefore compared genital and nongenital sensation as a function of sexual arousal in circumcised and uncircumcised men. Methods., Twenty uncircumcised men and an equal number of age-matched circumcised participants underwent genital and nongenital sensory testing at baseline and in response to erotic and control stimulus films. Touch and pain thresholds were assessed on the penile shaft, the glans penis, and the volar surface of the forearm. Sexual arousal was assessed via thermal imaging of the penis. Results., In response to the erotic stimulus, both groups evidenced a significant increase in penile temperature, which correlated highly with subjective reports of sexual arousal. Uncircumcised men had significantly lower penile temperature than circumcised men, and evidenced a larger increase in penile temperature with sexual arousal. No differences in genital sensitivity were found between the uncircumcised and circumcised groups. Uncircumcised men were less sensitive to touch on the forearm than circumcised men. A decrease in overall touch sensitivity was observed in both groups with exposure to the erotic film as compared with either baseline or control stimulus film conditions. No significant effect was found for pain sensitivity. Conclusion., These results do not support the hypothesized penile sensory differences associated with circumcision. However, group differences in penile temperature and sexual response were found. Payne K, Thaler L, Kukkonen T, Carrier S, and Binik Y. Sensation and sexual arousal in circumcised and uncircumcised men. J Sex Med 2007;4:667,674. [source] Association of human ,-opioid receptor gene polymorphism A118G with fentanyl analgesia consumption in Chinese gynaecological patientsANAESTHESIA, Issue 2 2010W. Zhang Summary One hundred and seventy-four Chinese gynaecology patients were studied for the impact of A118G polymorphism in the ,-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) on pain sensitivity and postoperative fentanyl consumption. Pre-operatively, the pain threshold and pain tolerance threshold were measured using electrical stimulation. A118G polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction,restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia provided postoperative pain management, assessed using a visual analogue scale and fentanyl consumed in the first 24 h after surgery was noted. We found the prevalence of G118 allele was 31.3%. The A118G polymorphism had a gene-dose-dependent effect on electrical pain tolerance threshold. Fentanyl consumption was also significantly different in patients with different OPRM1 genotypes (homozygotes for 118G consumed more than did heterozygotes or homozygotes for 118A). Fentanyl consumption increased in accordance with the number of 118G alleles. We conclude that OPRM1 gene analysis may help predict individual opioid sensitivity and so optimise postoperative pain control. [source] Decreased physical function and increased pain sensitivity in mice deficient for type IX collagenARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 9 2009Kyle D. Allen Objective In mice with Col9a1 gene inactivation (Col9a1,/,), osteoarthritis (OA) and intervertebral disc degeneration develop prematurely. The aim of this study was to investigate Col9a1,/, mice for functional and symptomatic changes that may be associated with these pathologies. Methods Col9a1,/, and wild-type mice were investigated for reflexes, functional impairment (beam walking, pole climbing, wire hang, grip strength), sensorimotor skills (rotarod), mechanical sensitivity (von Frey hair), and thermal sensitivity (hot plate/tail flick). Gait was also analyzed to determine velocity, stride frequency, symmetry, percentage stance time, stride length, and step width. Postmortem, sera obtained from the mice were analyzed for hyaluronan, and their knees and spines were graded histologically for degeneration. Results Col9a1,/, mice had compensatory gait changes, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired physical ability. Col9a1,/, mice ambulated with gaits characterized by increased percentage stance times and shorter stride lengths. These mice also had heightened mechanical sensitivity and were deficient in contact righting, wire hang, rotarod, and pole climbing tasks. Male Col9a1,/, mice had the highest mean serum hyaluronan levels and strong histologic evidence of cartilage erosion. Intervertebral disc degeneration was also detected, with Col9a1,/, mice having an increased incidence of disc tears. Conclusion These data describe a Col9a1,/, behavioral phenotype characterized by altered gait, increased mechanical sensitivity, and impaired function. These gait and functional differences suggest that Col9a1,/, mice select locomotive behaviors that limit joint loads. The nature and magnitude of behavioral changes were largest in male mice, which also had the greatest evidence of knee degeneration. These findings suggest that Col9a1,/, mice present behavioral changes consistent with anatomic signs of OA and intervertebral disc degeneration. [source] Triggering of proteinase-activated receptor 4 leads to joint pain and inflammation in miceARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2009Jason J. McDougall Objective To investigate the role of proteinase-activated receptor 4 (PAR-4) in mediating joint inflammation and pain in mice. Methods Knee joint blood flow, edema, and pain sensitivity (as induced by thermal and mechanical stimuli) were assessed in C57BL/6 mice following intraarticular injection of either the selective PAR-4 agonist AYPGKF-NH2 or the inactive control peptide YAPGKF-NH2. The mechanism of action of AYPGKF-NH2 was examined by pretreatment of each mouse with either the PAR-4 antagonist pepducin P4pal-10 or the bradykinin antagonist HOE 140. Finally, the role of PAR-4 in mediating joint inflammation was tested by pretreating mice with acutely inflamed knees with pepducin P4pal-10. Results PAR-4 activation caused a long-lasting increase in joint blood flow and edema formation, which was not seen following injection of the control peptide. The PAR-4,activating peptide was also found to be pronociceptive in the joint, where it enhanced sensitivity to a noxious thermal stimulus and caused mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. The proinflammatory and pronociceptive effects of AYPGKF-NH2 could be inhibited by pepducin P4pal-10 and HOE 140. Finally, pepducin P4pal-10 ameliorated the clinical and physiologic signs of acute joint inflammation. Conclusion This study demonstrates that local activation of PAR-4 leads to proinflammatory changes in the knee joint that are dependent on the kallikrein,kinin system. We also show for the first time that PARs are involved in the modulation of joint pain, with PAR-4 being pronociceptive in this tissue. Thus, blockade of articular PAR-4 may be a useful means of controlling joint inflammation and pain. [source] Temperament and stress response in children with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndromeARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 10 2003Paola M. Conte Objective To examine temperament, stress response, child psychological adjustment, family environment, pain sensitivity, and stress response differences between children and adolescents with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFMS), children with arthritis, and healthy controls. Parental psychological adjustment was also measured. Methods Subjects included 16 children with JPFMS, 16 children with arthritis, and 16 healthy controls. Participants completed the Dimensions of Temperament Survey-Revised (DOTS-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory, Family Environment Scale (FES), Sensitivity Temperament Inventory for Pain (STIP), and Youth Self-Report. Responsiveness to an acute stressor was assessed by measuring salivary cortisol levels before and after venipuncture. Parents were asked to complete the parent versions of the DOTS-R, FES, STIP, Child Behavior Checklist, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Results Children and adolescents with JPFMS demonstrated more temperamental instability, increased levels of depression and anxiety, less family cohesion, and higher pain sensitivity compared with the other 2 groups. Parents of children with JPFMS, in rating themselves, also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, and lower overall psychological adjustment compared with parents of children in the other groups. Conclusion These results suggest that a psychobiologic perspective may contribute to an increased understanding of JPFMS in children and adolescents, facilitating an approach to investigating the interaction of factors that appear to place a child at risk for development of a pain syndrome. Because temperamental instability, sensitivity to pain, vulnerability to stress, psychological adjustment, family context, and parental psychopathology are individual risk factors, the interaction of these factors may explain the breadth of symptoms associated with this pain syndrome, as well as its severity. [source] Light alters nociceptive effects of magnetic field shieldingBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 1 2006Adrian M. Koziak Abstract Orientation and nociception (pain sensitivity) are affected by exposure to geomagnetic or low frequency (<1000 Hz) magnetic fields of approximately the earth's field strength, i.e., 50 µT. However, these effects are often dependent on the simultaneous presence of visible light. Recently, it was shown that nociception was affected in mice acutely exposed to an electromagnetic-shielded environment in the dark (<0.05 W/m2) during the mid-light phase of the diurnal cycle. Here, we report for the first time that if mice are exposed to magnetic shielding in the presence of visible light (0.6 W/m2, 400,750 nm) that most of the effects of shielding are eliminated. This simple experimental protocol may be useful in investigating the role that light plays in the detection of ambient electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics 27:10,15, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Human head exposure to a 37 Hz electromagnetic field: Effects on blood pressure, somatosensory perception, and related parametersBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 3 2004Sergio Ghione Abstract Previous studies have shown that exposure to an electromagnetic field (EMF) of 37 Hz at a flux density of 80 ,T peak enhances nociceptive sensitivity in mice. Here we examined the effects on pain sensitivity and some indexes of cardiovascular regulation mechanisms in humans by measuring electrical cutaneous thresholds, arterial blood pressure, heart rate and its variability, and stress hormones. Pain and tolerance thresholds remained unchanged after sham exposure but significantly decreased after electromagnetic exposure. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher during electromagnetic exposure and heart rate significantly decreased, both during sham and electromagnetic exposure, while the high frequency (150,400 mHz) component of heart rate variability, which is an index of parasympathetic activity, increased as expected during sham exposure but remained unchanged during electromagnetic exposure. Cortisol significantly decreased during sham exposure only. These results show that exposure to an EMF of 37 Hz also alters pain sensitivity in humans and suggest that these effects may be associated with abnormalities in cardiovascular regulation. Bioelectromagnetics 25:167,175, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A novel scale for measuring mixed states in bipolar disorderCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 6 2009Jonathan Cavanagh Abstract Objectives: Conventional descriptions of bipolar disorder tend to treat the mixed state as something of an afterthought. There is no scale that specifically measures the phenomena of the mixed state. This study aimed to test a novel scale for mixed state in a clinical and community population of bipolar patients. Methods: The scale included clinically relevant symptoms of both mania and depression in a bivariate scale. Recovered respondents were asked to recall their last manic episode. The scale allowed endorsement of one or more of the manic and depressive symptoms. Internal consistency analyses were carried out using Cronbach alpha. Factor analysis was carried out using a standard Principal Components Analysis followed by Varimax Rotation. A confirmatory factor analytic method was used to validate the scale structure in a representative clinical sample. Results: The reliability analysis gave a Cronbach alpha value of 0.950, with a range of corrected-item-total-scale correlations from 0.546 (weight change) to 0.830 (mood). The factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution for the manic and depressed items which accounted for 61.2% of the variance in the data. Factor 1 represented physical activity, verbal activity, thought processes and mood. Factor 2 represented eating habits, weight change, passage of time and pain sensitivity. Conclusions: This novel scale appears to capture the key features of mixed states. The two-factor solution fits well with previous models of bipolar disorder and concurs with the view that mixed states may be more than the sum of their parts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: There is no clinical scale that specifically measures the phenomena of the bipolar mixed state. This new scale includes clinically relevant symptoms of both mania and depression in a bivariate scale. The scale appears to capture key features of the mixed state and endorses the view that mixed states may be more than the sum of their parts. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||