Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2017

Seiten: 1173-1185

Zeitschrift: European Journal of Pain

Bandnummer: 21

Heftnummer: 7

ISSN: 1090-3801

eISSN: 1532-2149

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1018

Verlag: Wiley

Abstract: 

Background: C-tactile (CT) afferents are unmyelinated low-threshold mechanoreceptors optimized for signalling affective, gentle touch. In three separate psychophysical experiments, we examined the contribution of CT afferents to pain modulation.

Methods: In total, 44 healthy volunteers experienced heat pain and CT optimal (slow brushing) and CT sub-optimal (fast brushing or vibration) stimuli. Three different experimental paradigms were used: Concurrent application of heat pain and tactile (slow brushing or vibration) stimulation; Slow brushing, applied for variable duration and intervals, preceding heat pain; Slow versus fast brushing preceding heat pain.

Results: Slow brushing was effective in reducing pain, whereas fast brushing or vibration was not. The reduction in pain was significant not only when the CT optimal touch was applied simultaneously with the painful stimulus but also when the two stimuli were separated in time. For subsequent stimulation, the pain reduction was more pronounced for a shorter time interval between brushing and pain. Likewise, the effect was more robust when pain was preceded by a longer duration of brush stimulation. Strong CT-related pain reduction was associated with low anxiety and high calmness scores obtained by a state anxiety questionnaire.

Conclusions: Slow brushing - optimal for CT activation - is effective in reducing pain from cutaneous heating. The precise mechanisms for the pain relief are as yet unknown but possible mechanisms include inhibition of nociceptive projection neurons at the level of the dorsal horn as well as analgesia through cortical mechanisms.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Liljencrantz, J., Strigo, I., Ellingsen, D., Kraemer, H., Lundblad, L., Nagi, S., et al. (2017) Slow brushing reduces heat pain in humans, European Journal of Pain, 21(7), pp. 1173-1185. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1018

APA-Zitierstil: Liljencrantz, J., Strigo, I., Ellingsen, D., Kraemer, H., Lundblad, L., Nagi, S., Leknes, S., & Olausson, H. (2017). Slow brushing reduces heat pain in humans. European Journal of Pain. 21(7), 1173-1185. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1018