Muscle Pain Differentially Modulates Short Interval Intracortical Inhibition and Intracortical Facilitation in Primary Motor Cortex

The Effect of Cervical Spine Manipulation on Postural Sway in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain

“…The 29 processes of short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and Intracortical facilitation (ICF) were explored as possible mechanisms to explain the observed reduction of cortical output. It was found that experimentally induced tonic pain resulted in increased SICI and reduced ICF (Schabrun & Hodges, 2012). These findings suggest a complementary mechanism that may explain the inhibition of muscular activity seen in many studies (Schabrun & Hodges, 2012).…”

“…Indeed, almost every aspect of the motor system, from the movement strategy of muscle groups to the morphology of individual muscle fibres, has been seen to undergo change in the presence of pain Mannion, 1999). It has been suggested that these responses are mediated by neuroplastic changes within the central nervous system itself (Le Pera et al, 2001;Le Pera et al, 2000;Schabrun & Hodges, 2012). The long term consequences of these neuromuscular adaptations may have implications for clinical practice as the restoration of motor and kinaesthetic performance has long been a mainstay of treatment and rehabilitation protocol.…”

“…Two possible mechanisms by which neck pain may directly impede the function of proprioceptive organs include direct mechanical trauma to tissues and irritation of chemosensitive receptors by the inflammatory mediators associated with tissue injury and fatigue Martin, Weerakkody, Gandevia, & Taylor, 2008;Pickar, 2002;Schabrun & Hodges, 2012;Triano, 2001). The response of muscle spindles to pain has been demonstrated experimentally with several studies reporting that muscle spindles become hypersensitive to stretch following chemically induced muscle pain (Matre, Sinkjaer, Svensson, & Arendt-Nielsen, 1998;Ro & Capra, 2001;Thunberg et al, 2001).…”

“…A number of studies have observed a reduction in motor evoked potentials from the primary motor cortex following the induction of experimental muscle pain (Le Pera et al, 2001;Martin et al, 2008;Schabrun & Hodges, 2012). These findings were thought to represent suppression of cortical motor cells and that they may reflect a protective mechanism to restrict movement of the painful area (Le Pera et al, 2001;Martin et al, 2008;Schabrun & Hodges, 2012).…”

“…These findings were thought to represent suppression of cortical motor cells and that they may reflect a protective mechanism to restrict movement of the painful area (Le Pera et al, 2001;Martin et al, 2008;Schabrun & Hodges, 2012). The 29 processes of short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and Intracortical facilitation (ICF) were explored as possible mechanisms to explain the observed reduction of cortical output.…”