This study examined the relationship between chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients' perceived (stated) levels of function and their measured (observed) performance in squatting and stair climbing activities as compared to healthy volunteers. Twenty patients with CLBP and 20 healthy subjects were asked through an interview to self-assess their ability to comfortably perform stair climbing and squatting as well as other tolerances. The subjects were then asked to perform the activities and their performance levels were recorded. Results of the t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) procedures revealed that patients' estimate of squatting and stair climbing abilities as well as their demonstrated levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those of the healthy subjects. There was a significant difference between groups in terms of the time required to perform squatting but not stair climbing. Both healthy subjects and patients with CLBP underestimated their physical capabilities. Findings indicate that the use of actual performance measurement combined with self-report of functional abilities is needed when assessing performance levels of both healthy as well as patients with CLBP.

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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 33 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

A factor analysis was performed on eleven variables derived from scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Oswestry Activity Rating Scale, graphic rating scales designed to assess the average pain intensity, frequency of leg pain, back pain, numbness and tingling in legs, and weakness in legs, as well as bothersomeness of back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in legs and weakness of legs. A composite Pain Index was created on the basis of three factors: leg pain, back pain, and overall pain complaints. Extraclassificatory variables, such as negative affect including depression and anxiety, cognitions regarding health status and expectation of recovery, bodily awareness/somatization and demographic variables such as smoking or non-smoking, compensation status, litigation status, use of narcotic and non-narcotic medication, use of alcohol, and time off of work were analyzed in combination and independently in relationship to the Pain Index.

The aim of the study was to investigate the application of aspects of Lazarus and Folkman's theory of Stress, Appraisal and Coping, to the chronic pain experience. In this context, the researcher explored the relationship between pain intensity and stress level. The association between pain intensity and the intensity of negative or positive attitudes towards the pain experience was also investigated. In addition, the relationship between pain intensity and the frequency of employing active, problem focused coping-strategies, or passive, emotion focused strategies, was explored. 105 subjects completed the South African Chronic Pain Questionnaire; an assessment tool based on adapted internationally validated measures. Findings suggest that there is a proportional relationship between pain intensity and stress level in the present chronic pain population. A positive relationship between pain intensity and the intensity of negative attitudes was revealed. A positive relationship was also reflected between pain intensity and the employ of passive, emotion-focused coping-strategies. There is a paucity of research that provides a theoretical framework in which to conceptualize the association between stress, appraisal and coping in chronic pain. To this end, the researcher has employed Lazarus and Folkman's theory in order to conceptualize the relationship between these variables and chronic pain intensity. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2005. / Not embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 121-126.

Thesis (Master of Science) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2006. / Not embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 125-132.

Orientador: Cláudia Herrera Tambeli / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T16:51:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Miranda_Josiane_M.pdf: 1166629 bytes, checksum: b11fc8ed7e534b6c9265e384b6a80eef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Neste estudo, foi testada a hipótese de que a transição da hiperalgesia aguda para a persistente e a hiperalgesia persistente reduzem a atividade e induzem alterações plásticas num circuito de analgesia endógena, o controle nociceptivo ascendente (CNA). Este circuito é de grande importância para mediar uma forma de analgesia endógena, conhecida como analgesia induzida por capsaicina, e é dependente de receptores µ-opióide no núcleo accumbens. Portanto, nós também investigamos se a transição da hiperalgesia mecânica aguda para a persistente e a hiperalgesia mecânica persistente altera a participação dos receptores µ-opióide intra-accumbens na analgesia induzida por capsaicina. No modelo animal de cronificação da dor utilizado, 14 dias consecutivos de injeções intraplantares de PGE2 na pata traseira de ratos (referido como o período de indução da hiperalgesia persistente), induz um estado permanente de sensibilização dos nociceptores (referido como o período de manutenção da hiperalgesia persistente), que se mantém por até 30 dias após a interrupção do tratamento com PGE2. A hipersensibilidade dos nociceptores foi medida pela diminuição do intervalo de tempo para o animal responder a uma leve estimulação mecânica na pata traseira. Para avaliar a expressão dos receptores µ-opióide no núcleo accumbens, foi utilizado o método de Western Blotting. Foi encontrada uma redução significativa na duração da analgesia induzida por capsaicina nos dias 7 e 14 do período de indução e nos dias 1, 7, 14 e 21 do período de manutenção da hiperalgesia mecânica persistente. A administração intra-accumbens do antagonista seletivo de receptor µ-opióide Cys2,Tyr3,Orn5,Pen7amide (CTOP), 10 minutos antes da injeção subcutânea de capsaicina na pata dianteira dos ratos, bloqueou a analgesia induzida por capsaicina. No entanto, não ocorreram alterações significativas na expressão dos receptores µ-opióide. Tomados em conjunto, estes resultados indicam que a transição da hiperalgesia aguda para a persistente e a hiperalgesia persistente reduzem a duração da analgesia induzida por capsaicina, sem afetar sua dependência de mecanismos mediados por receptores µ-opióide no núcleo accumbens. A atenuação da analgesia endógena durante a cronificação da dor e dor crônica sugerem que os circuitos endógenos de controle da dor desempenham um importante papel no desenvolvimento e manutenção da dor crônica / Abstract: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the transition from acute to persistent hyperalgesia and persistent hyperalgesia reduces the activity and induces plastic changes in an endogenous analgesia circuit, the ascending nociceptive control (ANC). An important mechanism mediating this form of endogenous analgesia, referred as capsaicin-induced analgesia, is its dependence on nucleus accumbens µ-opioid receptor mechanisms. Therefore, we also investigated whether the transition from acute to persistent mechanical hyperalgesia and persistent mechanical hyperalgesia alters the requirement for nucleus accumbens µ-opioid receptor mechanisms in capsaicin-induced analgesia. We used an animal model of pain chronification in which daily intraplantar PGE2 injection into the rat's hind paw for 14 days, referred as the induction period of persistent hyperalgesia, induces a long lasting state of nociceptior sensitization referred as the maintenance period of persistent hyperalgesia, that lasts for at least 30 days following the cessation of the PGE2 treatment. The nociceptor hypersensitivity was measured by the shortening of the time interval for the animal to respond to a mechanical mild stimulation of the hind paw. Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the expression of µ-opioid receptors in nucleus accumbens. We found a significant reduction in the duration of capsaicin-induced analgesia at day 7 and 14th of the induction period and at days 1, 7, 14 and 21th of the maintenance period of persistent mechanical hyperalgesia. Intra-accumbens administration of the µ-receptor selective antagonist Cys2,Tyr3,Orn5,Pen7amide (CTOP) 10 min before the subcutaneous injection of capsaicin into the rat's fore paw blocked capsaicin-induced analgesia. However, no significant changes occurred in the expression of µ-opioid receptors. Taken together, these findings indicate that the transition from acute to persistent hyperalgesia and persistent hyperalgesia reduces the duration of capsaicin-induced analgesia, without affecting its dependence on nucleus accumbens µ-opioid receptor mechanisms. The attenuation of endogenous analgesia during pain chronification and chronic pain suggests that endogenous pain circuits play an important role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain / Mestrado / Fisiologia Oral / Mestra em Odontologia

The effects of a computer program (Health Imagery Technology Systems, HITS) designed to promote attitude and cognitive changes through elicitation of evoked response potentials were evaluated with chronic pain patients. A treatment and control group were used for comparison (52 patients, 22 females, 32 males, mean ages 47). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised subtests, a Semantic Differential scale, the Health Attribution Test, an imagery protocol, the McCoy-Lawlis Pain Drawing, and the Zung Depression scale were used at admission and discharge to measure change. A pre- post-mood thermometer was used with the treatment group. The hypotheses that the treatment group would show significant changes on these measures were tested with a two group repeated measures analysis of variance design. No significant changes were noted for either group on the intellectual measures, on health attitudes, or reports of pain. The similarities subscale showed significant within group variance (F = 5.46, p < .023). One bipolar adjective pair indicated significant differences (F = 4.79, p < .035), possibly a result of chance. One of seven imagery measures suggested a significant improvement in strength of imagery for the treatment group (F = 18.2, p < .00008). Both groups showed significantly improved imagery of body defenses (F = 4.58, £ < .037) and significantly reduced depression scores (F = 15.93, p < .000021). A mood thermometer was measured for the treatment group alone and five situational mood changes were significant in predicted directions. Post hoc discriminant analysis showed significant differences only on one adjective pair (F = 9.75, p < .0029). No combination of variables added to the prediction of group membership. Overall, the effects of the HITS program did not seem strong enough to indicate its value as a treatment modality in chronic pain populations beyond current treatment. It did indicate some significant situational mood effects in positive directions.