title: Dose-response effect of isometric force production on the perception of pain.
abstract: Isometric contractions can influence the way that we perceive pain, but conclusions on the dose-response effect of force amplitude on pain perception are limited because previous studies have not held the duration of force contractions constant while varying force amplitude. To address this issue we designed an experiment that allowed us to accurately guide the amplitude of an isometric pinch grip force contraction on a trial-by-trial basis, while a thermal pain eliciting stimulus was simultaneously delivered for the same duration to the non-contracting hand. Our results show that an increase in the amplitude of force produced by one hand corresponded with a decrease in pain perception in the opposite hand. Our observations provide novel evidence that the centralized inhibitory response that underlies analgesia is sensitive to and enhanced by stronger isometric contractions.
authors: Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors: Gaurav
authors: G
authors: Misra
authors: Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors: Tiffany A
authors: TA
authors: Paris
authors: Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors: Derek B
authors: DB
authors: Archer
authors: Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
authors: Stephen A
authors: SA
authors: Coombes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics