Open AccessWhole-body vibration mediates mechanical hypersensitivity through Aβ-fiber and C-fiber thermal sensation in a chronic pain model
Author(s) -
Anelise Sonza,
Luciana Sayuri Sanada,
Luiza Raulino de Oliveira,
Mário Bernardo-Filho,
Danúbia da Cunha de Sá-Caputo,
Milton Antônio Zaro,
Matilde Achaval
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
experimental biology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1535-3702
pISSN - 1535-3699
DOI - 10.1177/1535370221991147
Subject(s) - medicine , whole body vibration , hyperalgesia , sensation , treadmill , rehabilitation , threshold of pain , nociception , chronic pain , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , vibration , anesthesia , psychology , receptor , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience
Whole-body vibration (WBV), which is widely used as a type of exercise, involves the use of vibratory stimuli and it is used for rehabilitation and sports performance programmes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WBV treatment in a chronic pain model after 10 WBV sessions. An animal model (chronic pain) was applied in 60 male Wistar rats (±180 g, 12 weeks old) and the animals were treated with low intensity exercise (treadmill), WBV (vibrating platform), and a combined treatment involving both. The controls on the platform were set to a frequency of 42 Hz with 2 mm peak-to-peak displacement, g ≈ 7, in a spiral mode. Before and after the vibration exposure, sensitivity was determined. Aβ-fibers-mediated mechanical sensitivity thresholds (touch-pressure) were measured using a pressure meter. C-fibers-mediated thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) were measured with a hot plate. After each session, WBV influenced the discharge of skin touch-pressure receptors, reducing mechanical sensitivity in the WBV groups ( P < 0.05). Comparing the conditions "before vs. after", thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) started to decrease significantly after the third WBV session ( P < 0.05). WBV decreases mechanical hyperalgesia after all sessions and thermal sensitivity after the third session with the use of WBV.