Central and Peripheral Sensitization, Pain Mediators in Thumb Pain Among Physiotherapists

The work-related thumb pain is a common problem among physiotherapists which deal with this experience at least once in their life. Several studies analyzed the distribution of mechanical forces, kinematics, and kinesiology of the thumb in this clinical condition. However, there is no data, available in the literature, on how this pain processed is sustained and if plastic changes in the central or peripheral nervous system are involved. The research aims are to investigate the relationship between the thumb pain and pain related central and peripheral nervous sensitization phenomena among physiotherapists (exposed to work) and physiotherapy students (not exposed). The relevance of each of the pain chronification mediators, reported in the literature (anxiety, depression catastrophization, self-efficacy, kinesiophobia) will be also defined. Data on pain intensity, muscle strength, and endurance in the hand will be collected and the relation between peripheral sensitization phenomena in the hand, and central sensitization will be assessed. Also, the relevance of pain mediators and the health perceived status will be assess adopting validated questionnaires and the minimal Generic ICF core set.