A1 Journal article (refereed)
Acute exercise modulates pain-induced response on sensorimotor cortex ∼20 Hz oscillation (2020)

Hautasaari, P., McLellan, S., Koskio, M., Pesonen, H., & Tarkka, I. M. (2020). Acute exercise modulates pain-induced response on sensorimotor cortex ∼20 Hz oscillation. Neuroscience, 429, 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.044

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hautasaari, Pekka; McLellan, Susanna; Koskio, Maija; Pesonen, Heidi; Tarkka, Ina M.

Journal or series: Neuroscience

ISSN: 0306-4522

eISSN: 1873-7544

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 429

Pages range: 46-55

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.12.044

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67630

Abstract

Exercise affects positively on self-reported pain in musculoskeletal pain conditions possibly via top-down pain inhibitory networks. However, the role of cortical activity in these networks is unclear. The aim of the current exploratory study was to investigate the effects of acute exercise on cortical nociceptive processing and specifically the excitability in the human sensorimotor cortex. Five healthy adults (mean age 32.8 years) were recorded with a whole-head 306-channel magnetoencephalography (MEG, Elekta Neuromag® Triux™). Participant’s right hand third fingertip was stimulated electrically with an intracutaneous non-magnetic copper tip electrode before and immediately after an exercise task. Stimulus intensity was set individually so that the stimulation was subjectively rated as moderately painful, 6-7 on a visual analog scale. The acute exercise task was an isometric three-minute fatiguing left hand contraction with force-level at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction. Data analysis was conducted as event-related evoked field and frequency analysis. Early cortical activations after stimulation were localized in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices. The main result demonstrated modulation of cortical nociceptive processing in the sensorimotor cortex ∼20 Hz rhythm immediately after the acute exercise. In conclusion, acute exercise may have an effect on nociceptive processing in the sensorimotor cortex on oscillatory level. Research on cortical oscillations analyzing interaction between nociception and exercise is limited. This study presents results indicating brain oscillatory activity as a feasible research target for examining mechanisms interacting between exercise and cortical nociceptive processing.

Keywords: analgesia; physical training; exercise therapy; cerebral cortex; stimulation; MEG

Free keywords: magnetoencephalograph; exercise; sensorimotor cortex; brain oscillations; electrical stimulation

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

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