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Use of Heart Rate Variability and Photoplethysmograph‐Derived Parameters as Assessment Signals of Radiofrequency Therapy Efficacy for Chronic Pain
Author(s) -
Ye JingJhao,
Chuang ChiungCheng,
Tai YuTing,
Lee KuanTing,
Hung KuoSheng
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/papr.12536
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate variability , photoplethysmogram , autonomic nervous system , visual analogue scale , lumbar , heart rate , anesthesia , chronic pain , sensation , physical therapy , cardiology , surgery , blood pressure , neuroscience , biology , filter (signal processing) , computer science , computer vision
Background Radiofrequency therapy ( RFT ) generates molecular motion and produces heat and electromagnetic effects on tissues, which attenuate pain sensation and thereby relieve pain. This study was to observe the altering trend of physiological parameters after RFT for chronic cervical or lumbar pain. Methods This study recruited 66 patients with chronic cervical or lumbar pain and recorded their physiological parameters before and after RFT using heart rate variability ( HRV ) and photoplethysmography ( PPG ) to explore the feasibility of RFT efficacy assessment. Results The patients' visual analog scale scores significantly decreased after RFT and the HRV parameters that represented parasympathetic activity significantly changed ( HR decreased, and R‐R interval and low‐ and high‐frequency power increased significantly). Meanwhile, the PPG parameters that represented sympathetic activity also increased ( PPG amplitude and autonomic nervous system state significantly decreased). Conclusions This study showed significant efficacy of RFT in patients with chronic cervical or lumbar pain. The changes of HRV and PPG parameters may explain part of the mechanisms of RFT .