Impact of Kinesiophobia on Descending Corticospinal and Bulbospinal Projections

Last updated: June 4, 2024
Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Nocebo

Placebo

Clinical Study ID

NCT05161832
2022-4356
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is a phenomenon commonly observed in people suffering from chronic pain. The aims of this project are to better understand the neurophysiological basis of this phenomenon, in particular 1) the effect of kinesiophobia (induced by nocebo intervention) on the excitability of corticospinal projections and 2) the association between kinesiophobia and top-down inhibitory mechanisms.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 18 years old or older

  • Healthy Volunteers

  • Capable of understanding instructions

  • Abstain from tobacco and caffeine 2 hours before data collection

  • Abstain from short-acting analgesics 6 hours before data collection

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • A painful condition or chronic pain

  • Neurological disorders

  • Shoulder pathology

  • Skin diseases

  • Capsaicin allergy

  • Raynaud's syndrome

  • Epilepsy

  • Intracranial metallic foreign bodies, hearing aids and cochlear implants

Study Design

Total Participants: 24
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Nocebo
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 15, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
January 29, 2024

Study Description

The study will include 44 healthy (pain-free) participants. Corticospinal measurements will be taken before and after the application of capsaicin cream (experimental pain paradigm). The investigators will manipulate kinesiophobia levels (assessed using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale) upward by pretending to diagnose a musculoskeletal problem in half of the participants (nocebo ultrasound), and will measure the efficacy of top-down inhibitory mechanisms using a counter-irritation paradigm (thermode and cold pressor test : the subjects will be subjected to 5 thermal stimulations, 7 mechanical stimulations and 1 water bath at 10°C of the hand) and corticospinal parameters using transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Together, these results will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with a predictor of pain onset (such as kinesiophobia), by studying its interactions with endogenous pain inhibition systems and the motor system, in order to develop relevant prophylactic treatments.

Connect with a study center

  • Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement

    Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4
    Canada

    Site Not Available

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