A study evaluating the effects of physical therapy on rat models of neuropathic pain based on electrophysiological parameters

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23650342
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Hiroshima International University
• Principal Investigator: YAMAOKA Kaoru 広島国際大学, 総合リハビリテーション学部, 教授 (10200586)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): OZAWA Junya 広島国際大学, 総合リハビリテーション学部, 准教授 (00435059)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2013
• Keywords: 慢性疼痛 / 電位依存性Naチャネル / 後根神経節細胞 / テトロドトキシン

Research Abstract

Effects of physical therapy on the chronic pain model of rat induced by neuronal damage was tested by using exercise training (swimming), transcutaneous electrical reversed nerve stimulation (TENS) and whole-body vibration. TENS reversed lowered thermal pain threshold of rats induced by nerve constriction. In addition to neuronal damage of sciatic nerve, immobilization of ankle joint successfully established a chronic pain model. Alteration of electrophysiological property, such as increased expression of TTX-sensitive sodium channels, of sensory nerve (dorsal root ganglion neuron) innervating the injured limb was suspected.