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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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31.08.2023 | Original Article

Interaction between local blood flow and tolerance to prolonged pain in the elderly

verfasst von: Julia Devanne, André Dufour, Olivier Després, Thierry Pebayle, Ségolène Lithfous

Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Ausgabe 2/2024

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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to explore the link between local vasodilation and pain perception in elderly subjects, testing the hypothesis that altered local cutaneous blood flow participates in the decrease in pain tolerance with age.

Method

Sixty-eight young and 83 older participants performed a pain tolerance test in which they hold their hand in an airtight box in which air temperature was regulated at 65 °C until the pain became unbearable. Participants continuously estimated pain intensity. Skin temperature and local blood flow in the box-exposed hand were continuously monitored.

Results

In the young group, 97% of subjects resisted pain until the end of the test, whereas only 53% in the elderly group managed to do so, indicating that pain tolerance is impaired in the elderly. Among all participants, the skin temperature associated with the first pain sensation was below the threshold for nociceptor activation (43 °C). Interestingly, blood flow in the elderly group was correlated with pain judgment, whereas no such correlation was observed in the young.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the local vasodilator response induced by local heating may be involved in pain perception and may influence thermal pain tolerance with aging. These results could contribute to a better understanding of vascular deficits and the development of chronic pain in vascular pathologies.

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Titel: Interaction between local blood flow and tolerance to prolonged pain in the elderly
verfasst von: Julia Devanne
André Dufour
Olivier Després
Thierry Pebayle
Ségolène Lithfous
Publikationsdatum: 31.08.2023
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Ausgabe 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Elektronische ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05294-1

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Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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