Impact of the presence of chronic pain conditions on the perception of peripheral stimuli and sensory evaluation of the trigeminal system

• Grant number: 09/17182-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
• Grantee: Paulo César Rodrigues Conti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chronic orofacial pain is usually associated with complexes mechanisms and can be maintained for long periods if not treated correctly. Such condition is commonly associated with primary headaches and/or fibromyalgia, among others. The pain sensation, reported in these cases, is associated to central mechanisms such as central neuronal sensitization and wind-up phenomena, and longer pain periods or great magnitude stimuli. However, it is still not well elucidated the impact that chronic conditions can possibly have in tactile and temperature stimuli and in the peripheral nociceptive fibers activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients with different chronic pain conditions in order to better understand pain mechanisms and how it can influence different somatic and motor activities. One hundred female patients will be evaluated divided into five different groups: 20 patients with myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles; 20 patients with fibromyalgia; 20 patients with daily chronic headache; 20 patients with trigeminal neuralgia and 20 healthy pain-free subjects, as control group. All patients will be submitted to physical and clinical examination and will fulfill a questionnaire about general health. After that, they will be evaluated in the trigeminal and extra-trigeminal areas to determinate all variables: an algometry exam will be performed on masticatory muscles and Achilles tendon; sensory quantitative evaluation of peripheral neural fibers will be performed with the use of Nervscan/Neurotron; thermal tests of heat and cold and ischemic pain; tactile thresholds will be done through the use of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments kit. Statistical analysis will be performed using t-Student and/or Mann-Whitney, with a 5% significance level. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

HILGENBERG-SYDNEY, P. B.; KOWACS, P. A.; CONTI, P. C. R.. Somatosensory evaluation in Dysfunctional Syndrome patients. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, v. 43, n. 2, p. 89-95, FEB 2016. (09/15119-8, 09/17182-9)