Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study

Background and Aims: The importance of non-noxious contextual inputs in the interplay of pain with neurophysiologic and behavioral factors is gaining recognition. Stress of impending surgery can act as a negative context, leading to a decrease in pain threshold in patients. This study was conducted...

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Main Authors: Shibani Padhy, Ruhi Fatima, Shubhranshu Jena, Akhya Kumar Kar, Padmaja Durga, Vishal Kumar Neeradi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.joacp.org/article.asp?issn=0970-9185;year=2023;volume=39;issue=4;spage=603;epage=608;aulast=Padhy
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author Shibani Padhy
Ruhi Fatima
Shubhranshu Jena
Akhya Kumar Kar
Padmaja Durga
Vishal Kumar Neeradi
author_facet Shibani Padhy
Ruhi Fatima
Shubhranshu Jena
Akhya Kumar Kar
Padmaja Durga
Vishal Kumar Neeradi
author_sort Shibani Padhy
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aims: The importance of non-noxious contextual inputs in the interplay of pain with neurophysiologic and behavioral factors is gaining recognition. Stress of impending surgery can act as a negative context, leading to a decrease in pain threshold in patients. This study was conducted to assess the influence of stress conferred by the imminent and other contextual inputs such as anxiety, socioeconomic status, prior painful experience, and the effect of gender on modulation of pain perception in patients undergoing elective surgery. Material and Methods: In total, 120 patients aged between 18 and 60 years of either gender posted for elective gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. Data were collected on preoperative anxiety level, socioeconomic status, education, and any prior painful experience. A pressure algometer was used to measure the pressure pain thresholds and pain tolerance on the day before surgery and on the morning of surgery in the preoperative suite. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in both pain threshold (P < 0.0001) and pain tolerance in the immediate preoperative period in comparison to the baseline readings taken the day before surgery (P = 0.048). The magnitude of change in pain scalars was greater in females (P < 0.001), those with a high anxiety score, and a history of severe painful experience in the past. Conclusion: Preoperative surgical stress lowers the pain threshold and pain tolerance. Contextual modulation of pain by factors such as anxiety and memory of prior painful experience, especially in the female gender, could influence postoperative patient outcomes and warrants further research.
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spelling doaj.art-3fbc5a98b0da432c8ab7cfef7ff1b93b2024-03-25T15:51:53ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology0970-91852023-01-0139460360810.4103/joacp.joacp_187_22Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept studyShibani PadhyRuhi FatimaShubhranshu JenaAkhya Kumar KarPadmaja DurgaVishal Kumar NeeradiBackground and Aims: The importance of non-noxious contextual inputs in the interplay of pain with neurophysiologic and behavioral factors is gaining recognition. Stress of impending surgery can act as a negative context, leading to a decrease in pain threshold in patients. This study was conducted to assess the influence of stress conferred by the imminent and other contextual inputs such as anxiety, socioeconomic status, prior painful experience, and the effect of gender on modulation of pain perception in patients undergoing elective surgery. Material and Methods: In total, 120 patients aged between 18 and 60 years of either gender posted for elective gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia were recruited. Data were collected on preoperative anxiety level, socioeconomic status, education, and any prior painful experience. A pressure algometer was used to measure the pressure pain thresholds and pain tolerance on the day before surgery and on the morning of surgery in the preoperative suite. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in both pain threshold (P < 0.0001) and pain tolerance in the immediate preoperative period in comparison to the baseline readings taken the day before surgery (P = 0.048). The magnitude of change in pain scalars was greater in females (P < 0.001), those with a high anxiety score, and a history of severe painful experience in the past. Conclusion: Preoperative surgical stress lowers the pain threshold and pain tolerance. Contextual modulation of pain by factors such as anxiety and memory of prior painful experience, especially in the female gender, could influence postoperative patient outcomes and warrants further research.http://www.joacp.org/article.asp?issn=0970-9185;year=2023;volume=39;issue=4;spage=603;epage=608;aulast=Padhyanxietypainstresssurgery
spellingShingle Shibani Padhy
Ruhi Fatima
Shubhranshu Jena
Akhya Kumar Kar
Padmaja Durga
Vishal Kumar Neeradi
Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology
anxiety
pain
stress
surgery
title Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
title_full Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
title_fullStr Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
title_full_unstemmed Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
title_short Effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period- A proof of concept study
title_sort effect of stress on contextual pain sensitivity in the preoperative period a proof of concept study
topic anxiety
pain
stress
surgery
url http://www.joacp.org/article.asp?issn=0970-9185;year=2023;volume=39;issue=4;spage=603;epage=608;aulast=Padhy
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