The effect of exercise frequency on neuropathic pain and pain-related cellular reactions in the spinal cord and midbrain in a rat sciatic nerve injury model

Journal of Pain Research, 2018 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S156326 · Published: January 1, 2018

Neurology Pain Management Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how different exercise frequencies affect neuropathic pain and related cellular responses in rats with sciatic nerve injury. The goal was to understand the optimal exercise frequency for alleviating neuropathic pain. Rats were divided into groups that received high-frequency exercise (HFE), low-frequency exercise (LFE), no exercise (No-Ex), and a control group. The exercise consisted of treadmill running, and pain levels were assessed by measuring mechanical sensitivity. The study found that both high and low-frequency exercise reduced neuropathic pain by regulating glial cell activation, BDNF expression, and the endogenous opioid system in the spinal cord and midbrain.

Study Duration

5 weeks

Participants

74 male Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level 1, Animal Study

Key Findings

1
Both high-frequency and low-frequency exercise programs reduced neuropathic pain in rats with sciatic nerve injury.
2
Exercise-induced pain relief was associated with the regulation of glial cell activation and BDNF expression in the spinal dorsal horn.
3
The endogenous opioid system in the midbrain was enhanced by both exercise programs, contributing to pain relief.

Research Summary

This study examined the effects of different exercise frequencies on neuropathic pain and related cellular responses in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Rats were divided into groups receiving high-frequency exercise (HFE), low-frequency exercise (LFE), no exercise (No-Ex), and a control group. The development of neuropathic pain was related to glial cell activation, increased BDNF expression, and downregulation of the μ-opioid receptor in the spinal dorsal horn. Both exercise groups experienced accelerated pain alleviation through the regulation of glial activation, BDNF expression, and the endogenous opioid system. The study concluded that both low-frequency and high-frequency exercise programs reduced neuropathic pain through the regulation of glial cell activation, BDNF expression, and the endogenous opioid system.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Programs

Exercise programs with rest days may be effective for elderly patients with chronic neuropathic pain in rehabilitation settings.

Cellular Mechanisms

Exercise can regulate intracellular mechanisms in both the spinal cord and midbrain, offering a non-pharmacological approach to managing neuropathic pain.

Exercise Frequency Consideration

The frequency of exercise should be considered when designing physical therapy programs for neuropathic pain, as it impacts glial activation and BDNF expression.

Study Limitations

1
The study only analyzed immunohistochemical expression without stereological analysis.
2
The study did not focus on the early phase mechanisms of neuropathic pain reduction through exercise.
3
Causal relationship between exercise-induced pain relief and cellular mechanisms not directly proven.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Neurology