Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine exercise-induced pain modulation in diabetic
adults with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) compared to diabetic adults without
PDN. Eighteen adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with and without PDN (mean age
of 49 years) completed 2 sessions. During the familiarization session, participants
completed questionnaires, were familiarized with the pain testing protocols, and completed
maximal isometric contractions. During the exercise session, experimental pain testing
was completed before and following exercise consisting of 3 minutes of isometric exercise
performed at 25% maximal voluntary contraction. Ratings of perceived exertion and
muscle pain were assessed every 30 seconds during exercise. Results indicated that
ratings of perceived exertion and muscle pain during exercise were significantly higher
(P < .05) for diabetic adults with PDN versus diabetic adults without PDN. Diabetic
adults with PDN did not experience changes in thermal pain ratings following exercise,
whereas diabetic adults without PDN reported significantly lower pain ratings following
exercise. It is concluded that diabetic adults with PDN experienced high levels of
muscle pain during exercise and a lack of exercise-induced hypoalgesia following exercise,
in comparison to diabetic adults without PDN, who experienced lower levels of muscle
pain during exercise and a hypoalgesic response following exercise.
Perspective
Very little research has been conducted examining the impact of exercise on pain modulation
in diabetic adults with PDN. This study provides support that adults with PDN exhibit
exercise-induced endogenous pain modulatory system dysfunction.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 14, 2014
Accepted:
February 27,
2014
Received in revised form:
February 20,
2014
Received:
October 29,
2013
Footnotes
This study was funded by the UW-Madison Virginia Horne Henry Fund. All authors participated in the conduct of this study.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
