Effects of warming imagery aimed at trigger-point sites on tissue compliance, skin temperature, and pain sensitivity in biofeedback-trained patients with chronic pain: a preliminary study.
13 subjects were trained in biofeedback and self-regulation strategies for reducing chronic pain. Upon demonstrating ability to hand warm, subjects were exposed to an imagery exercise designed to increase skin temperature at trigger-point sites, which are small tender irritative foci located in the soft tissue. Skin temperature, tissue compliance, and pressure-pain sensitivity were recorded before and after imagery intervention. Subjects showed significant increases in skin temperature and muscle relaxation at trigger-point sites and decreases in pressure-pain sensitivity. This suggests that localized trigger-point warming may be an effective adjunct in treating chronic pain.
Albright
G L
GL
Baruch College City University of New York, Psychophysiology Laboratory, New York 10010.
Fischer
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000295:instrumentation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003187:Compliance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012881:Skin Temperature