Reversed cortical over-activity during movement imagination following neurofeedback treatment for central neuropathic pain

Hasan, M. A., Fraser, M., Conway, B. A., Allan, D. B. and Vuckovic, A. (2016) Reversed cortical over-activity during movement imagination following neurofeedback treatment for central neuropathic pain. Clinical Neurophysiology, 127(9), pp. 3118-3127. (doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.06.012) (PMID:27472548) (PMCID:PMC4988467)

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Abstract

Objective: One of the brain signatures of the central neuropathic pain (CNP) is the theta band over-activity of wider cortical structures, during imagination of movement. The objective of the study was to investigate whether this over-activity is reversible following the neurofeedback treatment of CNP. Methods: Five paraplegic patients with pain in their legs underwent from twenty to forty neurofeedback sessions that significantly reduced their pain. In order to assess their dynamic cortical activity they were asked to imagine movements of all limbs a week before the first and a week after the last neurofeedback session. Using time–frequency analysis we compared EEG activity during imagination of movement before and after the therapy and further compared it with EEG signals of ten paraplegic patients with no pain and a control group of ten able-bodied people. Results: Neurofeedback treatment resulted in reduced CNP and a wide spread reduction of cortical activity during imagination of movement. The reduction was significant in the alpha and beta band but was largest in the theta band. As a result cortical activity became similar to the activity of other two groups with no pain. Conclusions: Reduction of CNP is accompanied by reduced cortical over-activity during movement imagination. Significance: Understanding causes and consequences mechanism through which CNP affects cortical activity.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hasan, Mr Muhammad and Vuckovic, Dr Aleksandra and Allan, Mr David
Authors: Hasan, M. A., Fraser, M., Conway, B. A., Allan, D. B., and Vuckovic, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Clinical Neurophysiology
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1388-2457
ISSN (Online):1872-8952
Published Online:24 June 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Clinical Neurophysiology 127(9):3118-3127
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
533931Neurofeedback for treatent of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injuryAleksandra VuckovicMedical Research Council (MRC)G0902257ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING