Clinical trial NCT03886883: Endogenous Modulation of Pain and Stretch Tolerance
Official title: Endogenous Modulation of Pain - the Tolerance to Stretch
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Pain Threshold
Keywords: Stretch tolerance
Stretching Exercises
Exercise induced hypoalgesia
Lead sponsor: University College of Northern Denmark
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2019-03-22
Enrollment: 19
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 45
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Intervention model description: This was a randomized, repeated-measures cross-over study. Passive knee extension range of motion was measured three consecutive times with five-minute intervals between measurements. Both groups underwent a static stretch protocol consisting of two bouts of thirty-second constant-angle static stretching of the knee flexors with a one-minute rest between bouts. Subjects were instructed to keep the limb relaxed as the lower leg was passively moved towards extension. Following stretching, the post-stretch measurement was performed. Finally, subjects in the pain group were instructed to immerse their non-dominant hand into a container with circulating water at 1˚C to 4˚C and keep it there for 2 minutes. A Biodex system 4 pro dynamometer was used to quantify range of motion and passive resistive torque. Pressure pain thresholds was assessed using a handheld pressure algometer (Somedic AB, Hörby, Sweden).
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: This study investigates the role of two endogenous inhibitory mechanisms; exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and a conditioning painful stimulus (CPM) on passive joint range of motion, passive resistive torque and pain sensitivity. The study is a randomized, repeated-measures cross-over study.

Detailed description: The increase in range of motion following stretching is related to changes in the tolerance to stretch. The mechanistic relationships behind these changes in subject sensation are however unknown but could be related to endogenous modulation of pain.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Eligibility for participation included the absence of any pain or other conditions that might affect the somatosensory system.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Substance abuse, History of neurological or mental disabilities, Lack of ability to comply with instructions, Delayed onset of muscle soreness.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Knee extension range of motion
timeFrame: Passive knee extension range of motion was measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH), Static stretch (SS), Rest and a conditioning painful stimulus (CPM)
measure: Knee extension range of motion
timeFrame: Passive knee extension range of motion was measured 30 seconds after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Knee extension range of motion
timeFrame: Passive knee extension range of motion was measured 10 minutes after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Passive resistive torque
timeFrame: Passive resistive torque was measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Passive resistive torque
timeFrame: Passive resistive torque was measured 30 seconds after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Passive resistive torque
timeFrame: Passive resistive torque was measured 10 minutes after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Pressure pain thresholds
timeFrame: Pressure pain thresholds were measured as a baseline just prior to the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Pressure pain thresholds
timeFrame: Pressure pain thresholds were measured 30 seconds after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
measure: Pressure pain thresholds
timeFrame: Pressure pain thresholds were measured 10 minutes after the induction of EIH, SS, Rest and CPM
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Aalborg
country: Denmark
facility: University College of Northern Denmark
Study officials:
affiliation: University College of Northern Denmark, Department of Physiotherapy
name: Dorte Drachman, Msc.
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Stove MP, Hirata RP, Palsson TS. The tolerance to stretch is linked with endogenous modulation of pain. Scand J Pain. 2021 Jan 11;21(2):355-363. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0010. Print 2021 Apr 27.