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- Antepohl, Wolfram, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder - A matched control study
- 2003
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In: NeuroRehabilitation (Reading, MA). - 1053-8135 .- 1878-6448. ; 18:4, s. 307-315
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To verify the occurrence of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and to provide a more detailed description of the impairment's character and context. Methods: Thirty (30) patients with chronic WAD and 30 matched healthy controls completed a cognitive test battery. Four computerised tests were used: a) two different types of cognitive tasks (reaction time vs. working memory) and b) two types of information processing (verbal vs. spatial). Before testing and after every randomised subtest, subjects rated their pain level on a visual analogue scale. Results: A worse overall performance among patients with WAD and, specifically, worse results concerning working memory tasks were found. Post-hoc testing revealed a statistically significant difference concerning the single variable "verbal reaction time". Pain intensity among patients increased significantly during testing. Pain intensity after the subtest for verbal mental reaction time (independent of test sequence) was significantly correlated with results in this subtest, the more pain, the more time was needed. Conclusion: Compared to healthy controls, patients performed worse overall. Concerning verbal reaction time, the impairment was correlated with pain intensity. The findings support the hypothesis that pain might be one important factor leading to cognitive impairment in patients with chronic WAD.
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| 2. |
- Aspegren Kendall, Sally, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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A pilot study of body awareness programs in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome
- 2000
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In: Arthritis Care and Research. - 0893-7524 .- 1529-0123. ; 13:5, s. 304-311
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To compare in a pilot study the effect of two physical therapies, the Mensendieck system (MS) and body awareness therapy (BAT) according to Roxendal, in fibromyalgia patients and to investigate differences in effect between the two interventions. Methods. Twenty female patients were randomized to either MS or BAT in a program lasting 20 weeks. Evaluations were tender point examination and questionnaires, including visual analog scales (pain intensity at worst site, muscular stiffness, evening fatigue, and global health), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Quality of Life Scales, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), and disability before, immediately after, and at 6 and 18 months followup. Results. The BAT group had improved global health at 18 months followup, but lower results than the MS group. The MS group had improved FIQ, ASES other symptoms, and pain at worst site at 18 months followup. Conclusion. In the present pilot study, MS was associated with more positive changes than BAT.
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| 3. |
- Aspegren Kendall, Sally, et al.
(author)
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Are perceived muscle tension, electromyographic hyperactivity and personality traits correlated in the fibromyalgia syndrome?
- 2002
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In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - Olso, Norway : Taylor & Francis. - 1650-1977 .- 1651-2081. ; 34:2, s. 73-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study was performed to investigate the relationship between perceived muscle tension and electromyographic hyperactivity and to what extent electromyographic (EMG) hyperactivity relates to personality traits in fibromyalgics. Thirty-six females with fibromyalgia performed isokinetic maximal forward flexions of the shoulder combined with surface EMG recordings of the trapezius and infraspinatus muscles. Signal amplitude ratio and peak torque were calculated in the initial and endurance test phases. Pain intensity, perceived general and local shoulder muscle tension, and personality traits using the Karolinska Scales of Personality were assessed pre-test. Neither perceived muscle tension nor muscular tension personality trait correlated with EMG muscle hyperactivity. Perceived general muscle tension correlated with aspects of anxiety proneness (including muscle tension) of the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Pain intensity interacted with many of the variables. We propose that when patients with fibromyalgia report muscle tension that they may be expressing something other than physiological muscle tension.
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| 4. |
- Aspegren Kendall, Sally, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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Differences in sensory thresholds in the skin of women with fibromyalgia syndrome : A comparison between ketamine responders and ketamine non-responders
- 2003
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In: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. - 1058-2452 .- 1540-7012. ; 11:2, s. 3-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To compare detection and pain thresholds in the skin of female fibromyalgia patients who were either ketamine responders or ketamine nonresponders.Methods: Detection thresholds to innocuous warmth, of cold, heat or cold pain, and touch and dynamic touch sensation were determined in the skin. Pressure pain thresholds, local and widespread pain intensity, and pain duration were also registered.Results: Ketamine nonresponse was associated with more pronounced hypersensitivity for thermal pain [especially cold pain] than ketamine response.Conclusions: Blockade of N-metyl-D-aspartic acid receptors by ketamine and the recording of pain thresholds in the skin, especially for cold pain, might reveal different mechanisms of allodynia.
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| 5. |
- Aspegren Kendall, Sally, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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Feldenkrais intervention in fibromyalgia patients : A pilot study
- 2001
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In: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. - 1058-2452 .- 1540-7012. ; 9:4, s. 25-35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To evaluate the effect of the Feldenkrais intervention, in fibromyalgia patients. Methods: Twenty fibromyalgia patients started Feldenkrais intervention done as one individual and two group sessions weekly for 15 weeks. Nineteen started a group-based pain education program followed by a pool program. Test and self-report questionnaires were administered at the start, at six month follow up, and at the end of intervention. Results: After the Feldenkrais intervention improvement in balance and trends to better lower extremity muscle function were shown, but the improvements were not maintained. Conclusions: No sustained benefit of the Feldenkrais intervention compared to a pool program was seen. Methodological problems are discussed. ⌐ 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Aspegren Kendall, Sally, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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The effect of a session of exercise of moderate intensity level on pressure pain thresholds in healthy women
- 2003
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In: Advances in Physiotherapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1403-8196 .- 1651-1948. ; 5:1, s. 15-20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this investigation was to study in healthy women the effect of a moderately intensive physical exercise session on the pressure pain thresholds of tendon, bone and muscle. Twenty-four healthy women in the 7-14th day of the menstruation cycle took part in a 60-min exercise class. Pressure pain thresholds were measured by electronic algometer at four points before and after the class. Habitual exercise habits and perceived class exercise intensity were recorded. There was no change in pressure pain sensitivity at any site. Increased pressure pain thresholds tended to be linked to older age and later day in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. In conclusion, a single session of moderate exercise in an exercise setting outside the healthcare system or the laboratory did not increase pressure pain thresholds at group level in healthy women.
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| 9. |
- Ekman, Bertil, et al.
(author)
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Growth hormone substitution titrated to obtain IGF-I levels in the physiological range in hypopituitary adults : Effects upon dynamic strength, endurance and EMG
- 2003
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In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 90:5-6, s. 496-504
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied the effects of individualised growth hormone (GH) substitution, aiming at normal insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels, on biomechanical output and surface electromyogram (EMG) of isokinetic muscle strength and endurance performance in 18 hypopituitary adults and compared with 17 matched healthy controls. The muscle function tests consisted of isokinetic contractions of the right knee extensors, from which torque and EMG were recorded. Three patients were excluded from the final analysis of the muscle function tests due to technical errors and one control subject moved from the area during the study. We found that GH-deficient adults without GH substitution were weaker and had less endurance than healthy control subjects. At the group level, plasma levels of IGF-I were normalised but generally no significant effects upon biomechanical output and EMG were found after dose titration and 6 months of a constant GH dose. However, subjects with the largest changes in IGF-I had significantly better biomechanical output and EMG compared to those with small changes in IGF-I. This finding may indicate that the net increase in IGF-I levels is critical for improvements in biomechanical output, EMG and perception of fatigue to occur.
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| 10. |
- Elert, Jessica, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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Chronic pain and difficulty in relaxing postural muscles in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic whiplash associated disorders
- 2001
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In: Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 28:6, s. 1361-1368
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To investigate if muscle tension according to the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the shoulder flexors is increased in consecutive patients with fibromyalgia (FM) or chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Methods. A total of 59 consecutive patients with FM (n = 36) or chronic WAD (n = 23) performed 100 maximal isokinetic contractions combined with surface electromyography of the trapezius and infraspinatus. A randomized group of pain-free female (n = 27) subjects served as control group. Peak torque initially (Pti) and absolute and relative peak torque at endurance level (PTe, PTer) were registered as output variables, together with the EMG level of unnecessary muscle tension, i.e., the signal amplitude ratio (SAR). Results. The patient groups had a higher level of unnecessary tension initially and at the endurance level. The patients had lower absolute output (PTi and PTe), but the relative levels (PTer) did not differ comparing all 3 groups. Subjects with FM had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than the other groups. BMI did not influence the SAR but correlated positively with PTi. Conclusion. The results confirmed earlier findings that groups of patients with chronic pain have increased muscle tension and decreased output during dynamic activity compared to pain-free controls. However, the results indicated there is heterogeneity within groups of patients with the same chronic pain disorder and that not all patients with chronic pain have increased muscle tension.
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