Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome: A Study of Contact Heat-Evoked Potentials

These findings support the hypothesis of altered central pain processing in PSPS, consistent with previous studies on NP and central sensitization. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between pain intensity (verbal rating scale) and CHEP parameters (p=0.06), potentially due to the limited sample size. CHEP is a valuable non-invasive tool for exploring central pain mechanisms in PSPS with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Limitations include the small sample size and potential confounders, such as subclinical polyneuropathy in controls. Further research is recommended to complement these findings and explore the broader implications of central sensitization in PSPS and other chronic pain conditions.