In this study investigators will examine the effect of dose related to exercise therapy for pain in healthy adult humans. An acute pain model will be employed to study the effect of exercise dose on pain. Acute pain models are currently used to study pain (both acute and chronic) in human samples as there is currently no chronic pain model.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with repeated measures. The effect of exercise dose on pain: subjects will be randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups: 1.) no exercise (control); 2.) low dose exercise (3x/week); 3.) moderate dose exercise (5x/week). 4.) high dose exercise (10x/week).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
41
Exercise groups will perform moderate intensity treadmill walking at a speed of 3.5 mph at a 0% incline for 30 minutes.
The Control group will perform 30 minutes of quiet rest.
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Intervention Effects on Mechanical Sensitivity Threshold
Subjects' cutaneous mechanical sensitivity threshold will be examined using standard monofilaments that apply a force of 0.008g, 0.02g, 0.04g, 0.07g, 0.16g, 0.4g, 0.6g and 1.0g to the forearm and calf. Percent Baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline). A filament of different weight is applied to the skin to look at the threshold of response.
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Constant Heat Pain Intensity
Subjects' constant heat pain intensity rating will be assessed using a (45 degree Celsius, 3cm x 5cm heating block applied to the forearm and calf for 3 seconds). Following the stimulus, subjects will rate the intensity of the pain associated with the stimulus using a visual analog scale numbered at 0 and 10, where "0" represents "no pain" and "10" represents "the worst pain imaginable" (0=minimum score, 10 maximum score). Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Constant Heat Pain Unpleasantness
Subjects' constant heat pain unpleasantness rating will be assessed using a (45 degree Celsius, 3cm x 5cm heating block applied to the forearm and calf for 3 seconds). Following the stimulus, subjects will rate the unpleasantness of the pain associated with the stimulus using a visual analog scale numbered at 0 and 10, where "0" represents "not unpleasant" and "10" represents "the most unpleasant sensation imaginable" (0=minimum score, 10 maximum score). Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Radiant Heat Sensitivity
Subjects' radiant heat sensitivity will be assessed using a temperature ramp from 30 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius over 60 seconds with participant defined cutoff in temperature (degrees Celsius) reading at their "sensitivity threshold" to the thermal stimulus (IITC Thermal Stimulus Apparatus with custom heated glass). This will be assessed on the forearm and calf. Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
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Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Radiant Heat Pain
Subjects' radiant heat pain threshold will be assessed using a temperature ramp from 30 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius over 20 seconds with participant defined cutoff in temperature (degrees Celsius) reading at their "pain threshold" to the thermal stimulus (IITC Thermal Stimulus Apparatus with custom heated glass). This will be assessed on the forearm and calf. Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Pressure Pain Threshold
Subjects' pressure pain threshold will be assessed using a pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments; 1cm round probe applied at constant ramping pressure until participant defined cutoff in kg at "pain threshold"). This will be assessed on the forearm and calf. Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Constant Pressure Pain Intensity
Subjects' constant pressure pain intensity rating will be assessed using a pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments; 1cm round probe applied for 2 seconds at participant defined threshold). Following the stimulus, subjects will rate the intensity of the pain associated with the stimulus using a visual analog scale numbered at 0 and 10, where "0" represents "no pain" and "10" represents "the worst pain imaginable" (0=minimum score, 10 maximum score). This will be assessed on the forearm and calf. Percent baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Intervention Effects on Constant Pressure Pain Unpleasantness
Subjects' constant pressure pain unpleasantness rating will be assessed using a pressure algometer (Wagner Instruments; 1cm round probe applied for 2 seconds at participant defined threshold). Following the stimulus, subjects will rate the unpleasantness of the pain associated with the stimulus using a visual analog scale numbered at 0 and 10, where "0" represents "not unpleasant" and "10" represents "the most unpleasant sensation imaginable" (0=minimum score, 10 maximum score).This will be assessed on the forearm and calf. Percent change from baseline to 24 hrs post-intervention will then be calculated (100\*Value at 24 hours/Value at Baseline).
Time frame: baseline and 24 hrs-post final intervention session
Heart Rate
Heart rate will be measured before and after each exercise session. Percent pre-exercise session in heart rate (bpm) from start to end of exercise session will be calculated (100\*Value at end trial/Value at start of trial).
Time frame: days 1, 3, & 5 at start and end of each exercise session
Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Subjects will indicate rate of perceived exertion before and after each exercise session. Percent of pre-exercise RPE from start to end of exercise session will be calculated (100\* end of trial / start of trial).
Time frame: days 1, 3, & 5 at start and end of each exercise session