Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (2): 321-328.doi: 10.12307/2022.052

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Exercise improves pain induced by sciatic nerve injury in animal models: a Meta-analysis

Sun Xinzheng1, Chen Xiaoke1, Wang Chenghao1, He Hui2   

  1. 1College of Human Sport Science, 2China Institute of Sports and Health, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China 
  • Received:2020-11-12 Revised:2020-11-14 Accepted:2020-12-07 Online:2022-01-18 Published:2021-10-28
  • Contact: He Hui, MD, China Institute of Sports and Health, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
  • About author:Sun Xinzheng, Master candidate, College of Human Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Supported by:
    the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, No. 2020036 (to HH)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Drug therapies have limited effect on neuropathic pain and result in many side effects. Comparatively speaking, exercise is a good way to relieve pain. Here, we systematically evaluate the interventional effect of exercise on neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve injury in rats and mice. 
METHODS: WanFang, CNKI, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were retrieved before April 2020. A series of studies regarding the effect of treadmill, swimming, wheel and other exercises on neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve injury in rats and mice were collected. According to the inclusion criteria, two researchers independently completed literature screening, data extraction and conducted methodological quality evaluation using SYRCLE’ s risk of bias tool for animal studies. RevMan 5.3 and STATA 12.0 analysis software were used for statistical analysis. 
RESULTS:A total of 12 literatures regarding controlled animal studies were included, and there were 133 rodents in the exercise group and 135 rodents in the sedentary group. Meta-analysis showed that exercise could significantly increase paw withdrawal mechanical threshold [standard mean difference (SMD)=0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-1.40, P=0.003] and paw withdrawal thermal latency (SMD=1.54, 95% CI: 0.93-2.15), P < 0.000 01) in rats and mice after sciatic nerve injury. Subgroup analyses were performed for duration of exercise, indicating a significant reduction in heterogeneity. Postoperative exercise duration ≤ 3 weeks could significantly elevate paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (SMD=1.04, 95% CI: 0.62-1.46, P < 0.000 01). Postoperative exercise duration ≤ 4 weeks could significantly improve paw withdrawal thermal latency (SMD=1.93, 95% CI:1.19-2.67, P < 0.000 01).
CONCLUSION: Exercise can effectively improve mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity caused by sciatic nerve injury in rats and mice. Pain models, exercise start point, exercise forms, and species are not the main factors of exercise-induced hypoalgesia, while postoperative exercise duration has an important influence on exercise-induced hypoalgesia.

Key words: pain model, exercise, sciatic nerve injury, neuropathic pain, paw withdrawal mechanical threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency, animal 

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