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Fear of pain changes movement: Motor behaviour following the acquisition of pain‐related fear
Author(s) -
Karos K.,
Meulders A.,
Gatzounis R.,
Seelen H.A.M.,
Geers R.P.G.,
Vlaeyen J.W.S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/ejp.1044
Subject(s) - physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , anticipation (artificial intelligence) , extinction (optical mineralogy) , physical therapy , medicine , computer science , paleontology , artificial intelligence , biology
Background According to current fear‐avoidance models, changes in motor behaviour (e.g. avoidance) are a key component in the development and maintenance of chronic pain complaints. Yet, experimental research assessing actual behavioural changes following painful events is relatively sparse. This study investigated the effects of pain anticipation on changes in motor behaviour using a fear conditioning paradigm and robot‐generated standardized movement trajectories of the upper extremities. Methods Pain‐free participants ( N = 20) performed clockwise and counterclockwise fixed, circular movements with a robotic arm without receiving visual feedback. During fear acquisition, moving in one direction ( CS +) was paired with a painful stimulus (pain‐ US ) whereas moving in the other direction ( CS −) was not. During the subsequent extinction phase, the pain‐ US was omitted. We assessed self‐reported pain‐related fear and urge to avoid the movement, as well as several behavioural measures: Velocity, acceleration, exerted force and force direction. Results Movements that were paired with pain were associated with increased self‐reported pain‐related fear and urge to avoid. Moreover, movements that were associated with pain were performed faster, more forcefully and more accurately than movements that were not associated with pain. All these differences diminished during the extinction phase. Conclusions The present study demonstrates the utility of robot‐generated force feedback in the study of pain‐related fear and associated changes in motor behaviour. Significance Fear of pain changes movement: Movements associated with pain are performed faster, with more force and higher accuracy than movements that are not associated with pain. These changes can inform us how fear of pain translates into avoidance and escape behaviour, two important constructs in the maintenance of chronic pain.