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European Spine Journal

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01-01-2018 | Original Article

Stress enhances gait disturbance induced by lumbar disc degeneration in rat

Authors: Daisuke Fukui, Mamoru Kawakami, Tomonori Matsumoto, Mitsuru Naiki

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Although psychological factors are assumed to be the primary cause of stress-related back pain, there have been no studies of the relationships between stress and low back pain in an animal model. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of specific alternation of rhythm in temperature (SART) stress on gait abnormality using the CatWalk method in a rat model of low back pain caused by lumbar facetectomy.

Methods

Sixty rats were divided into three groups: the control, sham and experimental groups. Each group was then divided into non-SART stress and SART stress subgroups. We evaluated the behavioral changes 7 weeks postoperatively using the von Frey test and the CatWalk method.

Results

Threshold values for the hind paw in the SART stress subgroups were significantly lower than those in the non-SART stress subgroups. In the experimental group, significant changes by CatWalk in step cycle, stand time and average speed were observed under non-SART stress conditions, but SART stress resulted in additional significant changes in not only these parameters, but in other parameters including the duty cycle and swing time, compared with those in the control and sham groups.

Conclusions

The demonstration by CatWalk analysis may indicate that SART stress enhanced gait disturbance. In this animal model, we demonstrated for the first time that stress may be a factor involved in worsening of low back pain.

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Title: Stress enhances gait disturbance induced by lumbar disc degeneration in rat
Authors: Daisuke Fukui
Mamoru Kawakami
Tomonori Matsumoto
Mitsuru Naiki
Publication date: 01-01-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5243-z

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Stress enhances gait disturbance induced by lumbar disc degeneration in rat

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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