Effects of Acute Pain vs Context Change on Motor Learning Retention in Young Adults

Overview

To date, the effects of pain on motor learning have not been thoroughly investigated. When examining potential effects on retention of motor learning, it is important to dissociate any effects of pain from effects of a context change. The purpose of this research is to determine whether any altered retention of motor learning associated with acute pain is a true affect of pain or an affect of context (or both).

Eligibility

Abbreviations: HR= heart rate, bpm= beats per minute; BP= blood pressure; ADD= attention

        deficit disorder; ADHD= attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; MoCA= Montreal Cognitive
        Assessment; GAD-7= Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale; PHQ-2, PHQ-9= Patient Health
        Questionnaire-2 and -9.
        Inclusion Criteria:
          -  18-35 years old
          -  Self-identifying as generally medically healthy
          -  Able to read, write and speak English
          -  Able to provide informed consent
          -  Willing to undergo the experimental pain or non-painful electrical stimulation, if
             selected
        Exclusion Criteria:
          -  Resting HR < 50 or > 100 bpm
          -  Resting BP < 90/60 or > 140/95 mmHg
          -  Any history or current mental health condition, learning/developmental disability or
             cognitive impairment, including ADD/ADHD, severe anxiety, severe depression, autism
             spectrum disorder, insomnia, mild cognitive impairment, etc.
          -  Score on the MoCA <23
          -  Score on the GAD-7 ≥ 10
          -  Score on the PHQ-2 ≥ 2 and score on the PHQ-9 ≥ 10
          -  Any current (within last 3 month) or chronic medical conditions, including any
             musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, metabolic, psychiatric or
             neurological diagnosis
          -  Any implanted electronic medical devices (i.e., cardiac pacemakers, cardiac
             defibrillators, spinal cord neurostimulators)
          -  Any impaired sensation or weakness in either lower extremity or in the area targeted
             for the stimulus
          -  History of serious concussion or head injury, defined as a loss of consciousness for >
             5 minutes and/or requiring medical treatment, or > 2 concussions over the lifespan
          -  Any history of acute or chronic problems with balance, any dizziness, or > 1 fall in
             the last 12 months
          -  Taking 4 or more medications
          -  Currently or regularly using any analgesic medications, over-the-counter remedies, or
             any other treatment for the purposes of pain relief (i.e., baby aspirin for heart
             health permitted, etc.)
          -  Any current or chronic pain condition during the last year, located anywhere in the
             body
          -  Allergy to capsaicin or hot peppers
          -  Any skin lesion, breakage or irritation in the area targeted for the painful stimulus
          -  Skin sensitivity to soaps/creams/perfumes or to heat
          -  Poor circulation in the area targeted for the painful stimulus
          -  Prior participation in a locomotor learning study in this lab within the last 2 years