Study Examines Stress and Pain

Posted on March 1, 2001 at 9:42 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL =97 A study under way at the University of = Alabama=20 at Birmingham (UAB) aims to determine the effects of stress = on pain=20 perception in patients with fibromyalgia compared to healthy = people.=20 Fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by muscle pain, = stiffness and=20 fatigue, affects nearly three million people, mostly women, = in the=20 United States.

=93It=92s believed that stress can exacerbate symptoms of = fibromyalgia,=94 says Laurence A. Bradley, Ph.D., professor = of=20 clinical immunology and rheumatology at UAB. =93The study = will show if=20 patients with fibromyalgia experience different = physiological=20 changes under stress than healthy people do."

The study will measure the release of certain chemicals = from the=20 brain to the bloodstream, as well as changes in blood flow = in the=20 brain, blood pressure and heart rate =97 indicators of the = brain=92s=20 response to pain. =93We want to determine if pain responses = in the=20 brain produced by stress and heat applied to the arm = correlate with=20 changes in blood flow through certain parts of the brain = associated=20 with pain sensitivity.=94

Volunteers will be asked to recall relaxing and stressful = situations they have experienced under brief periods of=20 heat-stimulated pain. =93Imagery, positive or negative, can = have a=20 very powerful effect on pain perception,=94 Bradley says. = =93However,=20 it=92s thought that people with fibromyalgia, as a result of = impaired=20 function of certain brain structures, may respond = differently from=20 healthy people to stressful and relaxing imagery and to heat = stimulation. The study will show if that=92s true.=94

The study also will provide researchers with a better=20 understanding of the factors that affect pain sensitivity. = =93There=20 are many biological and social factors, like stress, that = interact=20 with one another to alter pain perception,=94 Bradley says.=20 =93Understanding how these factors interact will help us = better=20 understand the pain problems of patients with fibromyalgia = and may=20 help us develop better, more targeted treatments for these=20 patients.=94

Researchers are recruiting 60 fibromyalgia patients with = sudden=20 onset pain, 60 fibromyalgia patients with gradual onset pain = and 60=20 healthy patients. Following an initial screening and exam, = eligible=20 volunteers will make two visits to the clinic for testing.=20 Participants will be compensated $300 for their time.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Adriana = Sotolongo=20 at (205) 934-9614.