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Reduced pain thresholds in response to exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome but not in chronic low back pain: an experimental study
Journal Contribution - Journal Article
Objective. We aimed at examining 1) baseline pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) patients compared to healthy subjects, 2) the change in mean PPT in response to exercise, and 3) the possible association with exercise-induced increase in nitric oxide (NO).
Design. Experimental case-control study.
Participants. Twenty-six CFS-patients suffering from chronic pain, 21 CLBP-patients and 31 healthy subjects were recruited.
Methods. Participants underwent a submaximal aerobic exercise protocol on a bicycle ergometer, preceded and followed by venous blood sampling (NO-analysis) and algometry (hand, arm, calf, low back).
Results. At baseline, CFS-patients presented overall lower PPTs compared to healthy subjects and to CLBP-patients (p <.05). No significant differences were found between healthy subjects and CLBP-patients. After the submaximal aerobic exercise, mean PPT decreased in CFS-patients, while they increased in the other two groups. The difference in mean PPT change differed between CFS-patients and both healthy subjects and CLBP-patients (p <.01). At baseline, NO levels were significantly higher in the CLBP-group. After controlling for body mass index, no significant differences were seen between the three groups at baseline or in response to exercise. The level of NO was not related to PPTs in either groups.
Conclusion. The results suggest hyperalgesia and abnormal central pain processing during a submaximal aerobic bicycle exercise in patients with CFS, but not in those with CLBP. At baseline, NO concentrations were higher in the CLBP group, and increased in response to exercise. However, NO was unrelated to pain processing during submaximal aerobic exercise in patients with CFS and CLBP.
Design. Experimental case-control study.
Participants. Twenty-six CFS-patients suffering from chronic pain, 21 CLBP-patients and 31 healthy subjects were recruited.
Methods. Participants underwent a submaximal aerobic exercise protocol on a bicycle ergometer, preceded and followed by venous blood sampling (NO-analysis) and algometry (hand, arm, calf, low back).
Results. At baseline, CFS-patients presented overall lower PPTs compared to healthy subjects and to CLBP-patients (p <.05). No significant differences were found between healthy subjects and CLBP-patients. After the submaximal aerobic exercise, mean PPT decreased in CFS-patients, while they increased in the other two groups. The difference in mean PPT change differed between CFS-patients and both healthy subjects and CLBP-patients (p <.01). At baseline, NO levels were significantly higher in the CLBP-group. After controlling for body mass index, no significant differences were seen between the three groups at baseline or in response to exercise. The level of NO was not related to PPTs in either groups.
Conclusion. The results suggest hyperalgesia and abnormal central pain processing during a submaximal aerobic bicycle exercise in patients with CFS, but not in those with CLBP. At baseline, NO concentrations were higher in the CLBP group, and increased in response to exercise. However, NO was unrelated to pain processing during submaximal aerobic exercise in patients with CFS and CLBP.
Journal: J Rehabil Med
ISSN: 1650-1977
Volume: 42
Pages: 884-890
Publication year:2010
Keywords:chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, pain inhibition, exercise