Interactive effect of acute pain and motor learning acquisition on sensorimotor integration and motor learning outcomes

Previous work has demonstrated differential changes in early somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) when motor learning acquisition occurred in the presence of acute pain; however, the learning task was insufficiently complex to determine how these underlying neurophysiological differences impacted learning acquisition and retention. To address this limitation, we have utilized a complex motor task in conjunction with SEPs. Two groups of 12 participants ( n = 24) were randomly assigned to either a capsaicin (capsaicin cream) or a control (inert lotion) group. SEP amplitudes were collected at baseline, after application, and after motor learning acquisition. Participants performed a motor acquisition task followed by a pain-free retention task within 24–48 h. After motor learning acquisition, the amplitude of the N20 SEP peak significantly increased ( P < 0.05) and the N24 SEP peak significantly decreased ( P < 0.001) for the control group while the N18 SEP peak significantly decreased ( P < 0.01) for the capsaicin group. The N30 SEP peak was significantly increased ( P < 0.001) after motor learning acquisition for both groups. The P25 SEP peak decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) after the application of capsaicin cream. Both groups improved in accuracy after motor learning acquisition ( P < 0.001). The capsaicin group outperformed the control group before motor learning acquisition ( P < 0.05) and after motor learning acquisition ( P < 0.05) and approached significance at retention ( P = 0.06). Improved motor learning in the presence of capsaicin provides support for the enhancement of motor learning while in acute pain. In addition, the changes in SEP peak amplitudes suggest that early SEP changes reflect neurophysiological alterations accompanying both motor learning and mild acute pain.