Discrimination of muscle tension in chronic pain patients and healthy controls.

摘要: The purpose of this study was to assess the perception muscle tension in chronic pain patients and healthy controls. Twenty back patients, 20 who suffered from temporomandibular dysfunction, controls were instructed produce eight different levels contraction either m. masseter or erector spinae. Each level produced three times; trials presented random order. Analyses accuracy sensitivity discrimination revealed that less able perceive correctly they underestimated their actual tension. Patients did not differ extent which contracted muscles involved task. suffering musculoskeletal disorders seem display a genuine deficit is related neither local physiological changes at site pain, lack motivation, inattention, nor fatigue.