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Sympathetic blockade increases tactile sensitivity.

I Kissin1, J McDanal, P T Brown

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|December 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Sympathetic blockade significantly enhances tactile sensitivity in normal skin. This suggests sympathetic efferent activity normally reduces the sensitivity of tactile receptors, potentially influencing pain perception.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Dermatology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Sympathetic efferent activity is known to influence various physiological processes.
  • Its role in modulating tactile sensitivity in normal skin remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of suppressing sympathetic efferent activity on tactile sensitivity in normal skin.
  • To determine if sympathetic blockade alters touch thresholds.

Main Methods:

  • The study involved ten individuals with chronic pain syndromes.
  • Tactile sensitivity was assessed using von Frey filaments and a two-alternative forced-choice procedure.
  • Stellate ganglion block and epidural sympathetic block were employed to suppress sympathetic activity.

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Main Results:

  • Stellate ganglion block decreased touch threshold by 48.8% on the blocked side (P = 0.002).
  • Epidural sympathetic block reduced touch threshold by approximately 47% on both affected (P = 0.027) and healthy sides (P = 0.032).
  • No significant changes were observed on the non-blocked side during the stellate ganglion block.

Conclusions:

  • Sympathetic blockade demonstrably increases tactile sensitivity in normal skin.
  • These findings indicate that sympathetic efferent activity modulates the function of tactile receptors.
  • It is hypothesized that sympathetic activity normally decreases tactile receptor sensitivity and specificity, potentially contributing to pain signaling.