Visceral pain perception in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy volunteers is affected by the MRI scanner environment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The MRI scanner environment induces marked psychological effects, but specific effects on pain perception and processing are unknown and relevant to all brain imaging studies.

Objectives and methods

We performed visceral and somatic quantitative sensory and pain testing and studied endogenous pain modulation by heterotopic stimulation outside and inside the functional MRI scanner in 11 healthy controls and 13 patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Results

Rectal pain intensity (VAS 0-100) during identical distension pressures increased from 39 (95% confidence interval: 35-42) outside the scanner to 53 (43-63) inside the scanner in irritable bowel syndrome, and from 42 (31-52) to 49 (39-58), respectively, in controls (ANOVA for scanner effect: p = 0.006, gr

SUBMITTER: Wong RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4766539 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature