2024/08/08 by Peters, Anneliek A., Postema, Sietke G., Timmerman, Hans +2
paper · doi:10.57922/mec.1965
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.