Muscle activation in chronic pain: its treatment using a new approach of myofeedback

Models and experimental studies show that in subjects with chronic pain, the muscle activation patterns differ from those in normal subjects. This is reflected especially in a prolonged activation of the muscles after a task, i.e. a decreased ability to relax the muscles. Subjects are not aware of this muscle activation as it often concerns rather low levels of activation. Nevertheless, according to the Cinderella theory these low levels of activation may contribute seriously to the development and maintenance of chronic pain, when occurring during relatively long time duration. An accurate feedback on the absence of sufficient muscle rest may contribute to a greater awareness of this undesirable muscle activation and therefore may contribute to diminishing of pain. A myofeedback system has been developed, based on these starting points and a first limited study has been carried out. The results clearly indicate that the use of the feedback can result in a change of the muscle activation patterns, so apparently it assists in making subjects aware of their muscle activation. It also seems to have an effect on the experienced pain.