Vibro-tactile stimulation of the neck reduces pain in people with cervical dystonia: a proof-of-concept study.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common non-motor symptom in patients with cervical dystonia (CD), severely impacting their quality of life. The pathophysiology of CD is incompletely understood but it involves altered processing of proprioceptive and pain signals. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to determine if vibro-tactile stimulation (VTS)-a non-invasive form of neuromodulation targeting the somatosensory system-can modulate neck pain in people with CD. METHODS: In a multi-center study, 44 CD patients received VTS to sternocleidomastoid and/or trapezius muscles for up to 45 min under 9 different stimulation conditions that either targeted a single or a pair of muscles. The primary outcome measure was a perceived pain score (PPS) rated by participants on a 100-point analogue scale. RESULTS: During VTS, 29/44 (66%) of participants experienced a reduction in PPS of at least 10% with 17/44 (39%) reporting a reduction in pain of 50% or higher. After VTS cessation, 57% of participants still reported a 10% or higher reduction in PPS. Effects were significant at the group level and persisted for up to 20 min post-treatment. No distinct optimal stimulation profiles were identified for specific CD phenotypes. Clinical markers of disease severity or duration did not predict the degree of VTS-induced pain reduction. CONCLUSION: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the potential of VTS as a new non-invasive therapeutic option for treating neck pain associated with CD. Further research needs to delineate optimal dosage and long-term effects.

Pain in monogenic Parkinson's disease: a comprehensive review.

Pain, a challenging symptom experienced by individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD), still lacks a comprehensive understanding of its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. A systematic investigation of its prevalence and impact on the quality of life in patients affected by monogenic forms of PD has yet to be undertaken. This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the association between pain and monogenic forms of PD, specifically focusing on pathogenic variants in SNCA, PRKN, PINK1, PARK7, LRRK2, GBA1, VPS35, ATP13A2, DNAJC6, FBXO7, and SYNJ1. Sixty-three articles discussing pain associated with monogenic PD were identified and analyzed. The included studies exhibited significant heterogeneity in design, sample size, and pain outcome measures. Nonetheless, the findings of this review suggest that patients with monogenic PD may experience specific types of pain depending on the pathogenic variant present, distinguishing them from non-carriers. For instance, individuals with SNCA pathogenic variants have reported painful dystonia, lower extremity pain, dorsal pain, and upper back pain. However, these observations are primarily based on case reports with unclear prevalence. Painful lower limb dystonia and lower back pain are prominent symptoms in PRKN carriers. A continual correlation has been noted between LRRK2 mutations and the emergence of pain, though the conflicting research outcomes pose challenges in reaching definitive conclusions. Individuals with PINK1 mutation carriers also frequently report experiencing pain. Pain has been frequently reported as an initial symptom and the most troublesome one in GBA1-PD patients compared to those with idiopathic PD. The evidence regarding pain in ATP13A2, PARK7, VPS35, DNAJC6, FBXO7, and SYNJ1pathogenic variants is limited and insufficient. The potential linkage between genetic profiles and pain outcomes holds promising clinical implications, allowing for the potential stratification of patients in clinical trials and the development of personalized treatments for pain in monogenic PD. In conclusion, this review underscores the need for further research to unravel the intricate relationship between pain and monogenic forms of PD. Standardized methodologies, larger sample sizes, and longitudinal studies are essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic interventions for pain management in individuals with monogenic PD.

Forecasting head lice (Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation incidence hotspots based on spatial correlation analysis in Northwest Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pediculus humanus capitis has been prevalent throughout the world, especially in developing countries among elementary students and societies with a weak socio-economic status. This study aimed to forecast head lice (Pediculidae: P. capitis) infestation incidence hotspots based on spatial correlation analysis in Ardabil Province, Northwest Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analytical study, all cases of head lice infestations who were confirmed by Centers for Disease Control office have been studied from 2016 to 2018. Head lice infestation incidence hotspots in the province should be detected based on general G statistics in ArcMap GIS10.4.1. Furthermore, MaxEnt.3.3.3 model was used for modeling the high-risk areas. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of pediculosis was 14.90/100,000 populations. The general G statistics revealed that the head lice infestation in this study area has a high cluster pattern. The analysis showed that the Parsabad and Germi counties were identified as a head lice infestation incidence hotspots. Statistical and spatial analyses of head lice infestation incidence showed a significant positive correlation with head lice infestation incidence hotspots and the altitudes (15-500 m), annual temperature range (14-16.5°C), and slope and average diurnal temperature (12-18°C). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the most ecologically suitable areas of head lice occurrence were identified in two hotspots (Parsabad and Germi) in the Northern areas of Ardabil Province (Parsabad and Germi counties); in the borderline of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan.