Article

The aims of this study were to examine: (i) baseline pressure pain
thresholds in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and those with chronic low
back pain compared with healthy subjects; (ii) the change in mean pain threshold
in response to exercise; and (iii) associations with exercise-induced increase in
nitric oxide. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
suffering of chronic pain, 21 patients with chronic low back pain and 31 healthy
subjects. METHODS: Participants underwent a submaximal aerobic exercise protocol
on a bicycle ergometer, preceded and followed by venous blood sampling (nitric
oxide) and algometry (hand, arm, calf, low back). RESULTS: Patients with chronic
fatigue syndrome presented overall lower pain thresholds compared with healthy
subjects and patients with chronic low back pain (p < 0.05). No significant
differences were found between healthy subjects and patients with chronic low
back pain. After submaximal aerobic exercise, mean pain thresholds decreased in
patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, and increased in the others (p < 0.01).
At baseline, nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in the chronic low
back pain group. After controlling for body mass index, no significant
differences were seen between the groups at baseline or in response to exercise.
Nitric oxide was not related to pain thresholds in either group. CONCLUSION:
The results suggest hyperalgesia and abnormal central pain processing during
submaximal aerobic exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome, but not in chronic low
back pain. Nitric oxide appeared to be unrelated to pain processing.

Langue : ANGLAIS