Musculoskeletal complaints and human assumed central sensitisation in individuals with brachial plexus injury and upper limb absence.

Authors

  • Anneliek A. Peters
  • Sietke G. Postema
  • Hans Timmerman
  • Corry K. van der Sluis
  • Michiel F. Reneman

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) are a highly prevalent problem in subjects with upper limb absence (ULA) and Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI). Single-handed individuals often experience pain in multiple locations. Human Assumed Central Sensitisation (HACS) can be present in single-handed individuals. This study aims to determine the presence of HACS in single-handed individuals with MSCs compared to individuals without MSCs as well as two-handed controls. Methods: This study aims to include 20 individuals with ULA, 20 with BPI, and matched two-handed controls. All participants filled in the Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI) questionnaire (range 0-100, cut off value for CS >= 40). Furthermore, they underwent a Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) protocol. Seven sensory tests were executed to quantify the function of the sensory nervous system: dynamical mechanical allodynia (DMA, range 0-100), mechanical detection threshold (MDT, range 0.125-1024mN), mechanical pain threshold & sensitivity (MPT, range 8-1024mN & MPS, range 0-100), wind-up ratio (WUR, ratio), and pressure pain threshold & sensitivity (PPS in N & PPT, range 0-100). Results: Data collection is ongoing. At present, data of seven individuals with BPI are collected. CSI mean is 24 (SD 11.0). QST: DMA [1.0], MDT [1.3-1024.0mN], MPT [19.2-1024mN], MPS [0.6-25], WUR [1.33-4.5], PPS [27.5-138.0N], and PPT [1-50]. Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate that CS may be present in a subgroup of single-handed individuals with MSCs. This study sheds light on the role of CS in single-handed individuals and could give more insight in the frequently occurring MSCs in such individuals.

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Published

2022-08-09

How to Cite

[1]
A. A. Peters, S. G. Postema, H. Timmerman, C. K. van der Sluis, and M. F. Reneman, “Musculoskeletal complaints and human assumed central sensitisation in individuals with brachial plexus injury and upper limb absence”., MEC Symposium, Aug. 2022.

Conference Proceedings Volume

2022: MEC22

Section

Clinical Research Studies