title: Patients with persistent pain after breast cancer treatment show enhanced alpha activity in spontaneous EEG.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether patients with persistent pain after breast cancer treatment show an enhanced and slowed dominant alpha activity in their electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded during rest in comparison with patients that also had undergone breast cancer treatment but do not have pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The spontaneous EEG was recorded during rest and before painful stimulation of the calf and analyzed with spectral analysis (Fast Fourier Transformation). Outcome measures, i.e., alpha indices (center of gravity and overall amplitude), were statistically tested between patients with and without persistent pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with patients without pain, patients with persistent pain after breast cancer treatment show more alpha activity in their spontaneous EEG observed from parietal-occipital brain regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent pain after breast cancer treatment affects spontaneous brain activity, which might influence cognitive functioning.
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Emanuel N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: van den Broeke
authors.forename: Oliver H G
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Wilder-Smith
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Goor
authors.forename: Kris C P
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Vissers
authors.forename: Clementina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van Rijn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Alpha; Breast Cancer Treatment; Electroencephalogram; Persistent Pain; Resting State