Publication
Title
Abnormal pain response to visual feedback during cervical movements in chronic whiplash : an experimental study
Author
Abstract
Background Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are a debilitating condition. In chronic WAD, sensorimotor incongruence exacerbates symptoms. Sensorimotor incongruence occurs when somatosensory input and predicted motor output are in conflict, which can trigger pain. On the other hand, there is evidence that visual feedback can decrease pain in certain chronic pain conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of visual feedback and sensorimotor incongruence on pain thresholds in chronic WAD. Methods Sixty-four participants (healthy controls and patients with chronic WAD) were subjected to six experimental conditions. Participants watched correct real-time or modified visual feedback of the neck or hand (without movement as well as during repetitive neck lateroflexion). Sensorimotor incongruence was induced by manipulating visual feedback. Pressure pain thresholds were measured at baseline and during each condition. Results Marked between-group differences were observed. Visual feedback of the neckcorrect or modifieddid not influence pain thresholds in chronic WAD. In contrast, healthy controls had significantly higher pain thresholds when provided with the correct or modified visual feedback. When a movement of the neck was added during visual feedback, patients with chronic WAD showed no significant difference in pain thresholds, while an increase in pain thresholds was found in the healthy control group. Conclusion In contrast to the healthy controls, visual feedback and sensorimotor incongruence did not alter pain thresholds in patients with chronic WAD. These findings suggest an abnormal pain response to visual feedback and somatosensory incongruence as well as failing mechanisms of pain inhibition in chronic WAD.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Pain practice. - Place of publication unknown
Publication
Place of publication unknown : 2017
ISSN
1530-7085
DOI
10.1111/PAPR.12439
Volume/pages
17 :2 (2017) , p. 156-165
ISI
000394902800001
Pubmed ID
26913494
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.03.2016
Last edited 04.03.2024
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