Pain Sensitivity Evaluation in Respiratory Patients

Kontrolliryhmä

Astmapotilaat

Allergic patients

Pressure pain threslhold

The pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) were evaluated by an analogic manual mechanical algometer. This tool consisted of a circular platform with an area of 1 cm2 area, which was perpendicularly applied to generate progressive pressure on the skin at a 1 kg/sec rate. The points selected were chose based on a previous study in asthma patients. Patient was assessed in a seated position and pressure was applied two times at five bilateral points of the body: At two distal points, the distal thumb phalangeal and the gracilis muscle tendon at the inside of the knee. Further at three points at the chest, the costae II, distal of the midst part of the clavicle, the supraspinous muscle and the trapezius muscle's second portion, between the angulus superior at scapulae and the vertebral column.

Pressure pain threslhold

The pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) were evaluated by an analogic manual mechanical algometer. This tool consisted of a circular platform with an area of 1 cm2 area, which was perpendicularly applied to generate progressive pressure on the skin at a 1 kg/sec rate. The points selected were chose based on a previous study in asthma patients. Patient was assessed in a seated position and pressure was applied two times at five bilateral points of the body: At two distal points, the distal thumb phalangeal and the gracilis muscle tendon at the inside of the knee. Further at three points at the chest, the costae II, distal of the midst part of the clavicle, the supraspinous muscle and the trapezius muscle's second portion, between the angulus superior at scapulae and the vertebral column.

Borg scale

The Borg scale was used to assess the dyspnea, which is a comprehensive instrument designed to measure breathlessness in patients with respiratory pathology. Patients rated their dyspnoea from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no dyspnoea" and 10 represents "maximum dyspnoea." A difference of 0.9 units was considered as the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), according to previous studies in patients with respiratory disease

Leicester Cough Questionnaire

The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was used to evaluate cough. This questionnaire brief, easy to administer and well-validated. It consists of 19 items with scores ranging from 1 to 7 and it is divided in three subscales: physical, psychological, and social. The minimum and maximum achievable LCQ total scores are 3 and 21, respectively. A lower LCQ score signifies more cough

Leicester Cough Questionnaire

The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was used to evaluate cough. This questionnaire brief, easy to administer and well-validated. It consists of 19 items with scores ranging from 1 to 7 and it is divided in three subscales: physical, psychological, and social. The minimum and maximum achievable LCQ total scores are 3 and 21, respectively. A lower LCQ score signifies more cough

Borg scale

The Borg scale was used to assess the dyspnea, which is a comprehensive instrument designed to measure breathlessness in patients with respiratory pathology. Patients rated their dyspnoea from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no dyspnoea" and 10 represents "maximum dyspnoea." A difference of 0.9 units was considered as the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), according to previous studies in patients with respiratory disease

Catastrophizing about Asthma Scale

In the Catastrophizing about Asthma Scale (CAS) patients rate the extent to which 24 items expressing catastrophic thoughts and feelings about asthma are applicable to themselves (e.g., "There is nothing I can do to reduce the intensity of the asthma attack", "I worry all the time about whether the asthma attack will end", "I feel I can't go on"). The scale has two subscales, one referring to the situation of an asthma exacerbation (the exacerbation scale; 13 items), the other scale referring to daily life, whenever no exacerbation is present (general scale; 11 items). The CAS has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .93), excellent test-retest reliability (r = .94), and good construct validity.

Catastrophizing about Asthma Scale

In the Catastrophizing about Asthma Scale (CAS) patients rate the extent to which 24 items expressing catastrophic thoughts and feelings about asthma are applicable to themselves (e.g., "There is nothing I can do to reduce the intensity of the asthma attack", "I worry all the time about whether the asthma attack will end", "I feel I can't go on"). The scale has two subscales, one referring to the situation of an asthma exacerbation (the exacerbation scale; 13 items), the other scale referring to daily life, whenever no exacerbation is present (general scale; 11 items). The CAS has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .93), excellent test-retest reliability (r = .94), and good construct validity.

Latency and summation

In each testing session two series of contacts of the mechanical probe with the flexor digitorum muscle (one at ISI 3 s and one at ISI 5 s) were presented to each forearm. The forearms were always alternated between each series of contacts. Ratings of both forearms were used to control for differences in hand dominance and sites of pain.

Latency and summation

In each testing session two series of contacts of the mechanical probe with the flexor digitorum muscle (one at ISI 3 s and one at ISI 5 s) were presented to each forearm. The forearms were always alternated between each series of contacts. Ratings of both forearms were used to control for differences in hand dominance and sites of pain.

Fatigue

Fatigue was measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to assess fatigue and is a 9-item scale, scored from 1 to 7, with the greater the number suggesting more severe fatigue.

Fatigue

Fatigue was measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to assess fatigue and is a 9-item scale, scored from 1 to 7, with the greater the number suggesting more severe fatigue.

Health status

The EQ-5D was used to evaluate self-perceived health status and is divided into two sections. The first section contains five questions about mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. For each question, problems within the domain are evaluated on a three-level basis. Responders can choose between Bno problems^, Bsome problems^, or Bextreme problems^. The second part is a VAS score, which records the responder's self-evaluated health, where 0 is the worst imaginable health and 100 is the best imaginable health.

Health status

The EQ-5D was used to evaluate self-perceived health status and is divided into two sections. The first section contains five questions about mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. For each question, problems within the domain are evaluated on a three-level basis. Responders can choose between Bno problems^, Bsome problems^, or Bextreme problems^. The second part is a VAS score, which records the responder's self-evaluated health, where 0 is the worst imaginable health and 100 is the best imaginable health.

Exercise capacity

The 6MWT is a useful measure of functional capacity, targeted at people with at least moderately severe impairment. It has been widely used for measuring the response to therapeutic interventions for pulmonary and cardiac disease

Exercise capacity

The 6MWT is a useful measure of functional capacity, targeted at people with at least moderately severe impairment. It has been widely used for measuring the response to therapeutic interventions for pulmonary and cardiac disease

Kinesiophobia

Kinesiophobia was assessed by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia which evaluate the fear of movement due to dyspnea.

Kinesiophobia

Kinesiophobia was assessed by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia which evaluate the fear of movement due to dyspnea.