Neural mobilization reverses behavioral and cellular changes that characterize neuropathic pain in rats

Molecular Pain, 2012 · DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-8-57 · Published: July 29, 2012

Simple Explanation

The neural mobilization technique (NM) is used by physiotherapists to treat patients with pain of neural origin, such as the compression of the sciatic nerve. NM aims to restore mobility and elasticity of the peripheral nervous system and thus to improve the conditions of patients with various neural injuries. The study examined the effects of neural mobilization (NM) on pain sensitivity induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats. The NM treatment induced an early reduction of the hyperalgesia and allodynia in CCI-injured rats, which persisted until the end of the treatment. The researchers also looked at cellular changes, observing a decrease of GFAP and NGF expression after NM in the ipsilateral DRG and the decrease of only GFAP expression after NM in the lumbar spinal cord. These data provide evidence that NM treatment reverses pain symptoms in CCI-injured rats and suggest the involvement of glial cells and NGF in such an effect.

Study Duration

1 Month

Participants

Adult male Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Neural mobilization treatment induced an early reduction of hyperalgesia and allodynia in CCI-injured rats, which persisted until the end of the treatment.
2
Thermal hyperalgesia was inhibited only after the fourth NM session, with the effect remaining constant until the last session.
3
NM treatment resulted in a decrease of GFAP and NGF expression in the ipsilateral DRG and a decrease of only GFAP expression in the lumbar spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of neural mobilization (NM) on pain sensitivity in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI). The results show that NM treatment reduces hyperalgesia and allodynia, and also decreases GFAP and NGF expression in the DRG and spinal cord. Behavioral data confirmed the onset of neuropathic pain syndrome 3 days after CCI, which stabilized by the 14th day after injury, as shown by reduced mechanical, thermal and allodynic thresholds in the ipsilateral side of injury. We demonstrated those ten NM sessions each other day restored mechanical, thermal and allodynic sensitivity, as well as all behavior parameters that were associated with the neuropathic condition. The study concludes that NM treatment reverses pain symptoms in CCI-injured rats and suggests the involvement of glial cells and NGF in such an effect, highlighting the importance of NM in restoring changes caused by CCI injury.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application

Neural mobilization may be an effective non-invasive method for reducing pain sensitivity and improving the quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain.

Cellular Mechanisms

The involvement of glial cells and NGF in the pain-reducing effects of neural mobilization suggests potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Treatment Strategy

Early application of neural mobilization can restore mechanical, thermal, and allodynic sensitivity, improving overall behavior in neuropathic conditions.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The specific mechanisms by which neural mobilization affects glial cells and NGF require further investigation.
3
Methodological variables could account for discrepancy.

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