Central and Peripheral Sensitization, Pain Mediators in Thumb Pain Among Physiotherapists

NCT05345496 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 0169961-14/03/22
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 135
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The work-related thumb pain is a common problem among physiotherapists which deal with this experience at least once in their life. Several studies analyzed the distribution of mechanical forces, kinematics, and kinesiology of the thumb in this clinical condition. However, there is no data, available in the literature, on how this pain processed is sustained and if plastic changes in the central or peripheral nervous system are involved. The research aims are to investigate the relationship between the thumb pain and pain related central and peripheral nervous sensitization phenomena among physiotherapists (exposed to work) and physiotherapy students (not exposed). The relevance of each of the pain chronification mediators, reported in the literature (anxiety, depression catastrophization, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia) will be also defined. Data on pain intensity, muscle strength, and endurance in the hand will be collected and the relation between peripheral sensitization phenomena in the hand, and central sensitization will be assessed. Also, the relevance of pain mediators and the health perceived status will be assess adopting validated questionnaires and the minimal Generic ICF core set.

Conditions

Work-related Illness

Keywords

Thumb pain; Central sensistization; Peripheral sensitization; Modulating factors; ICF; Disability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Italian Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI-I)

  It will be adopted to assess central sensitization. It consists of two sections. Part A is made up of 25 self-reported items, each rated on a scale from 0 to 5 (0=never and 4=always), for a maximum score of 100. Part B analyses the presence of commonly related symptoms. A total score \< 40 shows good sensitivity to exclude the presence of signs and symptoms related to central sensitization.

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

• Quantitative sensory testing (QST)

  These tests will be adopted to assess peripheral and central sensitiazion phenomena.It will be tested 1cm2 of both dorsal and palmar skin. First, using the Neuropen tool patient will be asked to discriminate between a set of 3 alterante tactile and puncture stimuli. Then a mechanical pressure will be maintained on both sides for 10 seconds and asked if it was painful or not. Then 10 puncture stimuli in a row with Neuropen will be performed recording pain intensity.

  Tests will be administered on day 1 for each site, by a physiotherapist using Neuropen

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Generic Core Set

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

• Italian Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS-I)

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

• Italian Tampa Scale for Kinesophobia (TSK-I)

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

• Italian Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS-I)

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

• Italian Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ-I)

  the self-reported scale will be administered on day 1, before the clinical examination

Study Arms (2)

WORKERS GROUP

44 physiotherapists with a history of at least 1 painful episode of work-related thumb pain in the last 3 months will be enrolled.

STUDENT GROUP

44 physiotherapy students in their first academic year will be enrolled.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Physiotherapists registered in the professional register University students in physiotherapy BSc.

You may qualify if:

• Subjects giving their written consent to be enrolled in the study.
• Subjects aged more than 18 years old.
• Registration to the professional register or to the degree course in Physiotherapy
• History of at least 1 episode of work-related thumb pain in the last 3 months for physiotherapists

You may not qualify if:

• Recent or current pain/pathology of the upper limbs and neck;
• Pregnancy;
• Neurological disorders that increase or decrease the tone of upper limb and neck muscles;
• Rheumatic diseases
• Recent hand surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Turin, Italy: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Biological and Clinical Science - University of Turin

Orbassano, TO, 10043, Italy

Location

Study Officials

• Giacomo Carta, MSc, PT BSc

  University of Turin, Italy

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate Experimental Medicine and Therapy, MSc in Rehabilitation Scence, BSc in Pysiotherapy

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 19, 2022
• First Posted: April 26, 2022
• Study Start: May 2, 2022
• Primary Completion: March 2, 2023
• Study Completion: April 30, 2023
• Last Updated: February 15, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Immediately following the publication. No end date.
• Access Criteria: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Locations

IT (1)