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Modulation of experimental facial pain via somatosensory stimuli targeting sensations of different valence
Author(s) -
Taneja Pankaj,
Olausson Håkan,
Trulsson Mats,
Vase Lene,
Svensson Peter,
BaadHansen Lene
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of oral rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2842
pISSN - 0305-182X
DOI - 10.1111/joor.12963
Subject(s) - myalgia , somatosensory system , stimulus (psychology) , naltrexone , anesthesia , medicine , psychology , placebo , nociception , opioid , audiology , neuroscience , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology , psychotherapist
Background Knowledge of pain modulation from oro‐facial somatosensory stimuli with different valence (pleasant‐unpleasant) is limited. Objectives To investigate (a) the modulatory effects of painful, pleasant and unpleasant somatosensory stimuli on two models of experimental facial pain, (b) whether modulation could be changed by blocking peripheral nerves via application of a local anaesthetic, EMLA, or blocking endogenous opioid receptors via naltrexone and (c) whether pain ratings were significantly correlated with participant psychological profiles. Methods Thirty‐eight healthy women received experimental facial skin burning pain or jaw myalgia for four randomised sessions on different days. The painful region was stimulated with mechanical or thermal painful, pleasant, unpleasant and control stimuli, with ratings recorded before and during stimulation. Sessions differed in pre‐treatment: EMLA/naltrexone/placebo tablet/cream. Results Significant effects of thermal or mechanical stimuli ( P < .017), but not session ( P > .102), were found on pain ratings for both models. In myalgia, painful cold resulted in a greater reduction in pain ratings than unpleasant cold, pleasant cold, control and pleasant warmth ( P < .004). Decreases in pain ratings from painful, unpleasant and pleasant mechanical stimuli were greater than control ( P < .002). In burning pain, painful cold resulted in a greater reduction in pain ratings than all but one of the other thermal stimuli ( P < .033). The pleasant mechanical stimulus reduced pain ratings more than all other mechanical stimuli ( P ≤ .003). There were no significant correlations between pain and psychometrics. Conclusion Valence‐targeted thermal and mechanical stimuli modulated experimental myalgia and skin burning pain ( P < .017). Partially blocking peripheral afferents or opioid receptors did not affect modulation.