Is there a correlation between objective and subjective pain measurements and gamma oscillation frequencies?
Item
- Title
- Is there a correlation between objective and subjective pain measurements and gamma oscillation frequencies?
- Author(s)
- Nottage, S
- Abstract
- Background: Pain is a natural neurological and psychological function that many people have been subjected to which supports self- preservation in its primal form. There are millions of people suffering from chronic pain each year which may be indicative of aberrant pain processing. Research into the neural mechanisms underlying pain is continuously being unravelled and without many alternative options, medication is at the forefront of analgesic care. Few studies explore the relationship between gamma oscillations and pain pressure threshold (PPT). Objective: The objective of this study was to answer the research question: Is there a correlation between objective and subjective pain measurements and gamma oscillation frequencies? Study design: A quantitative observational approach. Method: Baseline characteristics were collected and brainwave activity was recorded via an EEG device. PPT was recorded via an algometer and participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. A Shapiro.-Wilks test revealed non normality of data hence a Spearman's r2 was then used to test for significance of correlation between the data. A multiple regression test was run in Analyse-it to analyse for any correlation between the participant baseline variables and their gamma oscillations. Results: 37 undergraduate ESQ students participated in this study. High gamma oscillation and PPT were shown to have a significant correlation (p>0.05). Spearman's r2 value was 0.911 (95% Confidence Interval 0.83 - 0.96). Discussion: A statistical significance was exposed in a correlation between high gamma oscillations and PPT. The regression test also showed correlation between gamma oscillations and subjective pain measured by the NRS; there were no statistical significance within other variables and baseline data. This study was effective within its time and cost restraints however it is difficult to generalise these results outside its sample due to the limited cohort. Many therapies that reduce symptoms in chronic pain sufferers appear to increase gamma oscillations. Could it be that the greater body of evidence indicates a direct link between pain and gamma oscillations and could they play a role in modulating pain? Conclusion: Gamma oscillations appear to play an important role in PPT. Whilst findings are significant the generalisability of the results in this study is limited and therefore further research into gamma oscillations and PPT is recommended on a more diverse cohort.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2016
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 17:29:04
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15952
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Pain pressure threshold, Gamma oscillations, Pain, Subjective.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Nottage, S, “Is there a correlation between objective and subjective pain measurements and gamma oscillation frequencies?”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/529