摘要:

No abstract available for this article.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_01

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

No abstract available for this article.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_02

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objective: This study investigated spinal cord mediation of rabbit localized twitch responses [R-LTRs] by transection of the spinal cord and later of the peripheral nerve. Rabbit localized twitch response [R-LTR]is a brisk contraction of a group of rabbit skeletal muscle fibers which is most responsive to mechanical stimulation of the pressure-sensitive site, the trigger spot [TrS]. An R-LTR is analogous to a local twitch response of a human taut band, and a TrS is analogous to a human myofascial trigger point [TrP]. Methods: The electromyographic [EMG] activity of R-LTRs was recorded for the biceps femoris muscle of 5 rabbits [ages: 2-3 months]. Each animal was anesthetized in a way that preserved most peripheral reflexes. R-LTRs were elicited by mechanical-tap stimuli [delivered by a solenoid-driven blunt metal probe] to the TrS. The percentage of occurence of R-LTRs and the changes in maximal amplitude and duration of EMG activity of R-LTRs [before the spinal cord transection at T4, T5, or T6, and then 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes and 150 minutes after spinal cord transection]were analyzed. In addition, EMG activity was recorded immediately, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after further transection of the sciatic nerve. Results: Immediately after spinal cord transection, R-LTRs were unobtainable and the EMG activity had completely disappeared. There was evidence of partial recovery of the R-LTR at 5-10 minutes; there was nearly complete recovery by 2.5 hours after spinal cord transection. Additional transection of the muscle nerve completely abolished R-LTRs which lasted for the duration of the experiment. Conclusion: R-LTRs are mainly mediated through the spinal cord, and supraspinal structures are not essential.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_03

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objective: To determine whether the spontaneous electrical activity observed in trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle is restricted only to trigger spots, and to compare that electrical activity to descriptions of potentials from neuromuscular junctions of rabbits from trigger points in human subjects. Methods: Fourteen paired examinations of trigger spots and control sites were performed on surgically exposed biceps femoris muscles in six anesthetized New Zealand Albino rabbits. Each examination involved 24 needle advances in three tracks [eight advances per track]. The trigger spot was identified as the location along a palpable taut band of muscle where snapping palpitation elicited the largest rabbit localized twitch response. The number ofactive loci[minute regions from which spontaneous potentials were recorded electromyographically] found in trigger spots was compared to the number of active loci found in control sites [where no taut band was identified by palpation]. Results: Spontaneous electrical activity was observed at 70 loci in trigger spots and at 15 loci in control sites [a significant difference, P<0.01 using the Fischer exact test]. In addition to low-amplitude uninterrupted spontaneous electrical activity, the recordings occasionally showed high-amplitude intermittent spikes, as described by others. Conclusion: These results suggest that the observed spontaneous electrical activity has an important relation to the pathophysiology responsible for trigger-spot phenomena. The potentials observed at trigger spots appear to be the same in character as the potentials identified at neuromuscular junctions and at human trigger points. Active loci of trigger spots and control sites should be examined for pathophysiological differences.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_04

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objectives: To compare local twitch responses [LTRs] that are produced by manual snapping palpation to those produced by needle penetration of myofascial trigger points [TrPs]. Methods: One hundred and five LTRs were recorded electromyographically from 13 TrPs in 13 muscles and 9 subjects. Sixty-four LTRs were elicited by snapping palpation and forty-one by subsequently inserting a monopolar electromyographic [EMG] probe needle repeatedly into the same TrP region. The electrical activity of an LTR was recorded from a response EMG needle inserted 4 cm from the TrP in the same palpable taut band and with snapping palpation also from a surface electrode overlying the response needle electrode. Results: The EMG characteristics of the LTRs elicited by needle insertion and those elicited by snapping palpation were not significantly different in the mean number of discharges per LTR, mean duration, or discharge density. Conclusions: At the level of detail examined in this study, no indication of a difference was found between LTRs elicited by needle insertion and those elicited by snapping palpation. The results of this study are consistent with previous observations that an LTR occurs specifically in the fibers of a taut band.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_05

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objectives: Epidemiologic studies have linked eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome [EMS] to use of the amino acid L-tryptophan. However, when interpreting these findings, one complicating factor is that many of the conditions for which L-tryptophan was used-such as insomnia, depression, and fibromyalgia-are themselves frequently associated with myalgia and often pursue a chronic course. We present a case series which illustrates these issues. Methods: We examined the medical records of nine patients who 1. met Center for Disease Control criteria for EMS; 2. had used L-tryptophan prior to the onset of EMS; and 3. had been given a diagnosis of fibromyalgia prior to use of L-tryptophan. All of these patients had sued a manufacturer of L-tryptophan, claiming damages due to EMS. Results: Prior to the L-tryptophan use, the patients had frequently been diagnosed with other disorders often comorbid with fibromyalgia: migraine [n = 31], irritable bowel syndrome [n = 3], mood disorder [n = 6], and anxiety disorders [n = 2]. Six of the nine cases were rated as having no greater degree of disability three years after onset of EMS than was present due to fibromyalgia prior to use of L-tryptophan. Conclusions: These data call attention to two factors that influence interpretation of studies of EMS: prior fibromyalgia and prior disease in the group of conditions often comorbid with fibromyalgia. These factors would tend to affect the results of such studies systematically in the same direction. They would tend to lend to lead to an overdiagnosis of EMS, an overestimate of the association between L-tryptophan and EMS, and an overestimate of the long-term comorbidity caused by EMS.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_06

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objectives: To study the association of pain and weather in patients with primary fibromyalgia. Methods: Daily pain recordings in 39 patients during three periods with a large changes in atmospheric pressure. Association of pain and meteorological data was studied by parametric correlations. Results: Pain experienced by the patients was not affected by the changes in weather. Conclusion: The results do not support the effect of atmospheric pressure on pain in patients with fibromyalgia.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_07

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to examine the possible contribution of ethnicity to variation in nonarticular tenderness in children from three ethnic groups. Methods: Four hundred and fifty-seven children, of whom 338 were Israeli Jews, 65 were Bedouin Arabs and the remaining of 54 were Ethiopian Jews, were examined. In all children, a count of 18 tender points [TP] was conducted by thumb palpation. Tenderness of 9 of the TP sites as well as 4 control point sites was further assessed with a Chatillon dolorimeter. Results: The mean point count of Israeli children, 1.3, was significantly lower [P<0.0001] than that of the Bedouins, 3.1, and that of the Ethiopians, 4.5 Mean values of tenderness thresholds at 9 TP sites were 4.3 kg, 4.0 kg, and 3.3 kg, respectively [P<0.001]. Mean the three ethnic groups. A chi-squared test was used to compare the male:female ratio among the groups.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_08

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide normative data on pressure and thermal pain thresholds at several sites in the forequarter of normal subjects, as a basis for further studies investigating mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders affecting the upper limb. The aims of the study included: determining whether there is any laterality effect on pain threshold, determining whether there is any proximal to distal variation in pain thresholds and determining whether there is any gender difference in pain thresholds. Methods: Subjects for this study were 20 normal volunteers in the age range 35-60. There was preponderance of female volunteers to reflect the preponderance of females in this age group who report chronic musculoskeletal pain. Pressure pain thresholds and thermal pain thresholds were measured bilaterally at seven sites in the forequarter. These sites were selected because they are common sites of tenderness associated with a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Pressure pain thresholds were measures using a pressure algometer and thermal pain thresholds were measured using a contact thermode values were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: No differences between sides were seen for either pressure pain thresholds or thermal pain thresholds. The results obtained showed a significant site effect [P<0.001] for pressure pain thresholds, although this was primarily due to the fact that values obtained for point 1 [anterior aspect of the transverse process of C6]were significantly lower than all other sites. There was no significant difference between sites for thermal pain thresholds although there was a tendency for 1 site to have a lower threshold than the other sites. For both measures, there was a distinct gender difference with females exhibiting significantly lower pressure pain thresholds [P<0.036] and thermal pain thresholds [P<0.05] than males. Conclusion: Normative data have been obtained for mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in a relevant subject population. These data may be used as a basis for further studies to investigate the generalized nature of altered pain thresholds in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_09

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

No abstract available for this article.

ISSN:1058-2452    

DOI:10.1300/J094v03n01_10

出版商:Taylor&Francis    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor