Neuro-physiologically, spatial summation occurs when subliminal inputs arising from multiple afferents induce action potentials in neurons. When applied to human pain physiology, this notion supports the observation that non-painful stimuli can induce pain when applied to larger body areas. Accordingly, painful stimuli that are applied to small areas become more painful when the stimulation area is enlarged. The likely pathophysiologic mechanism underlying spatial summation of pain is the convergence of low-intensity input from multiple afferents to common nociceptive pathways, ultimately eliciting a pain sensation after innocuous stimulation or amplifying pain after painful stimulation.
Spatial summation of pain has been extensively studied in human research using different experimental models. Most investigations have confirmed the aforementioned phenomenon of increasing pain sensation with increasing stimulation area [1,2,3]. Interestingly, while spatial summation is particularly strong with stimuli applied within the same dermatome [4], it occurs also when stimuli are applied to different and even contralateral dermatomes [5]. This suggests that spatial integration of nociceptive stimuli occurs not only at spinal cord level, but also at supraspinal centres.
The clinical significance of spatial summation is obvious. Nociceptive input from wide areas or multiple sources are more likely to lead to uncontrolled pain with all related consequences, including disability, mental health co-morbidities and more need for treatment, among others.
The notion of spatial summation is useful for both the health care provider and the patient. Both of them are interested in explanations on the nature of the symptoms. However, knowing this hardly satisfies the need to improve pain management. The next question is therefore: how to make use of this knowledge to improve patient-related outcomes?
The paper by Holbert et al., published in this issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Pain, is an attempt to better understand the role of spatial summation in the pathophysiology of specific pain syndromes [6]. The hypothesis was that spatial summation is more pronounced at the back, compared with other body regions, which would contribute to the higher prevalence of back pain. The hypothesis was not confirmed by the results, indicating that the back is not a particularly vulnerable region in terms of facilitation of spatial summation. Therefore, facilitated spatial summation is an improbable explanation for the high prevalence of back pain.
Translational studies on spatial summation are sparse. One open question is whether high degrees of spatial summation are associated with poor outcomes. Better prediction of outcomes may support clinical decision-making. For instance, one could hypothesize that the higher the spatial summation, the more likely the occurrence of persistent post-surgical pain. The literature on other biomarkers of nociceptive processes is equivocal [7], but studies have shown that facilitated temporal summation is a risk factor of persistent pain after knee surgery [8,9].
Spatial summation reflects central integration of nociceptive stimuli and is attenuated by ketamine [10]. Other centrally-active medications, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants, have the potential to modulate spatial summation. Therefore, another area of potential research is whether the efficacy of these medications is correlated with the degree of spatial summation. This may allow more targeted treatments. In this regard, the concept of mechanism-based pain treatment has recently received much attention [11]. Unfortunately, also this research has not produced convincing results. Studies on the prediction of drug effects based on sensory phenotypes have not been consistent [12,13,14,15]. Whether spatial summation can contribute to better patient phenotyping for a more individualized pain treatment remains to be determined.
In conclusion, spatial summation of pain likely contributes to the magnitude of pain. Therefore, it has probable clinical relevance. So far, this remains “good to know”. The challenge of future research is to determine whether this knowledge can be used to improve the life of patients with chronic pain.
DOI of refers to article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.07.017.
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Conflict of interest: None declared.
References
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© 2017 Scandinavian Association for the Study of Pain
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- Clinical pain research
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- Observational study
- Perceived sleep deficit is a strong predictor of RLS in multisite pain – A population based study in middle aged females
- Clinical pain research
- Prospective, double blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing vapocoolant spray versus placebo spray in adults undergoing intravenous cannulation
- Clinical pain research
- The Functional Barometer — An analysis of a self-assessment questionnaire with ICF-coding regarding functional/activity limitations and quality of life due to pain — Differences in age gender and origin of pain
- Clinical pain research
- Clinical outcome following anterior arthrodesis in patients with presumed sacroiliac joint pain
- Observational study
- Chronic disruptive pain in emerging adults with and without chronic health conditions and the moderating role of psychiatric disorders: Evidence from a population-based cross-sectional survey in Canada
- Educational case report
- Management of patients with pain and severe side effects while on intrathecal morphine therapy: A case study
- Clinical pain research
- Behavioral inhibition, maladaptive pain cognitions, and function in patients with chronic pain
- Observational study
- Comparison of patients diagnosed with “complex pain” and “somatoform pain”
- Original experimental
- Patient perspectives on wait times and the impact on their life: A waiting room survey in a chronic pain clinic
- Topical review
- New evidence for a pain personality? A critical review of the last 120 years of pain and personality
- Clinical pain research
- A multi-facet pain survey of psychosocial complaints among patients with long-standing non-malignant pain
- Clinical pain research
- Pain patients’ experiences of validation and invalidation from physicians before and after multimodal pain rehabilitation: Associations with pain, negative affectivity, and treatment outcome
- Observational study
- Long-term treatment in chronic noncancer pain: Results of an observational study comparing opioid and nonopioid therapy
- Clinical pain research
- COMBAT study – Computer based assessment and treatment – A clinical trial evaluating impact of a computerized clinical decision support tool on pain in cancer patients
- Original experimental
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- Editorial comment
- Spatial summation of pain and its meaning to patients
- Original experimental
- Effects of validating communication on recall during a pain-task in healthy participants
- Original experimental
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- Editorial comment
- Behavioural inhibition in the context of pain: Measurement and conceptual issues
- Clinical pain research
- A randomized study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of a single dose of the TRPV1 antagonist mavatrep in patients with osteoarthritis
- Editorial comment
- Quantitative sensory tests (QST) are promising tests for clinical relevance of anti–nociceptive effects of new analgesic treatments
- Educational case report
- Pregabalin as adjunct in a multimodal pain therapy after traumatic foot amputation — A case report of a 4-year-old girl
- Editorial comment
- Severe side effects from intrathecal morphine for chronic pain after repeated failed spinal operations
- Editorial comment
- Opioids in chronic pain – Primum non nocere
- Editorial comment
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- Observational study
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- Clinical pain research
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Observational study
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Editorial comment
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- Observational study
- The use of rapid onset fentanyl in children and young people for breakthrough cancer pain
- Original experimental
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- Clinical pain research
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- Topical review
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- Original experimental
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- Original experimental
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- Clinical pain research
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- Original experimental
- The impact of the Standard American Diet in rats: Effects on behavior, physiology and recovery from inflammatory injury
- Educational case report
- Erector spinae plane (ESP) block in the management of post thoracotomy pain syndrome: A case series
- Original experimental
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- Observational study
- Predictors of chronic neuropathic pain after scoliosis surgery in children
- Clinical pain research
- Hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic pain: An intervention study in a university hospital
- Clinical pain research
- A novel miniature, wireless neurostimulator in the management of chronic craniofacial pain: Preliminary results from a prospective pilot study
- Clinical pain research
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- Original experimental
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- Original experimental
- Initial validation of the exercise chronic pain acceptance questionnaire
- Clinical pain research
- Exploring patient experiences of a pain management centre: A qualitative study
- Clinical pain research
- Narratives of life with long-term low back pain: A follow up interview study
- Observational study
- Pain catastrophizing, perceived injustice, and pain intensity impair life satisfaction through differential patterns of physical and psychological disruption
- Clinical pain research
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- Original experimental
- Evaluation of external vibratory stimulation as a treatment for chronic scrotal pain in adult men: A single center open label pilot study
- Observational study
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- Clinical pain research
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- Original experimental
- Developing a model for measuring fear of pain in Norwegian samples: The Fear of Pain Questionnaire Norway
- Topical review
- Psychoneuroimmunological approach to gastrointestinal related pain
- Letter to the Editor
- Do we need an updated definition of pain?
- Narrative review
- Is acetaminophen safe in pregnancy?
- Book Review
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- Book Review
- Atlas of Pain Management Injection Techniques
- Book Review
- Sedation: A Guide to Patient Management
- Book Review
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