Current methodological approaches in conditioned pain modulation assessment in pediatrics

Abstract

Philippe S Hwang,1 My-Linh Ma,1–3 Nora Spiegelberg,1 Catherine E Ferland1–5 1Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada, 2Research Institute – McGill University Health Centre, 3Department of Experimental Surgery, 4Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, 5The Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, Montreal, QC, Canada Abstract: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) paradigms have been used in various studies with healthy and non-healthy adult populations in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of pain processing. However, only a few studies so far have applied CPM in pediatric populations. Studies finding associations with chronic pain conditions suggest that deficiencies in underlying descending pain pathways may play an important role in the development and persistence of pain early in life. Twelve studies were identified using a PubMed search which examine solely pediatric populations, and these are reviewed with regard to demographics studied, methodological approaches, and conclusions reached. This review aimed to provide both clinicians and researchers with a brief overview of the current state of research regarding the use of CPM in children and adolescents, both healthy and clinical patients. The implications of CPM in experimental and clinical settings and its potential to aid in refining considerations to individualize treatment of pediatric pain syndromes will be discussed. Keywords: conditioned pain modulation, descending endogenous pain inhibition, chronic pain, pediatrics 

Keywords

• Conditioned pain modulation
• descending endogenous pain inhibition
• chronic pain
• pediatrics