Alleviation of chronic neuropathic pain by environmental enrichment in mice well after the establishment of chronic pain

Behavioral and Brain Functions, 2013 · DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-9-22 · Published: June 7, 2013

Pain Management Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how enriching the environment of mice with chronic nerve pain, well after the pain has been established, affects their pain and behavior. The researchers created nerve injury in mice to simulate chronic neuropathic pain and then housed them in either enriched (more stimulating) or impoverished (less stimulating) environments. The study found that environmental enrichment reduced the mice's sensitivity to mechanical and cold stimuli, suggesting it could be a useful non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain.

Study Duration

2 Months post-environmental change

Participants

34 CD-1 seven to eight week-old male mice

Evidence Level

Level 2; Animal Model

Key Findings

1
Environmental enrichment attenuated nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical and cold stimuli.
2
An impoverished environment exacerbated mechanical hypersensitivity.
3
Environmental enrichment resulted lower SP and CGRP concentrations in neuropathic animals compared to impoverishment.

Research Summary

The study evaluated the impact of environmental enrichment or impoverishment in mice three months after induction of chronic neuropathic pain. Environmental enrichment attenuated nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical and cold stimuli, and resulted in lower SP and CGRP concentrations. These results suggest that environmental factors could play an important role in the rehabilitation of chronic pain patients well after the establishment of chronic pain.

Practical Implications

Potential Non-Pharmacological Intervention

Environmental enrichment is a potentially inexpensive, safe, and easily implemented non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of chronic pain.

Rehabilitation Strategy

Environmental factors could play an important role in the rehabilitation of chronic pain patients.

Understanding Mechanisms

Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms contributing to these positive effects will lead to novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies.

Study Limitations

1
This study does not provide information on the on-going nociceptive parameters in animals remaining in the initial housing situation.
2
A clear conclusion of the effects of the impoverished condition cannot be drawn at the present time.
3
Without baseline data it is difficult the present time to evaluate the importance of these changes in our experiment.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Pain Management