Impact of Kinesiophobia on Descending Corticospinal and Bulbospinal Projections

The study will include 44 healthy (pain-free) participants. Corticospinal measurements will be taken before and after the application of capsaicin cream (experimental pain paradigm). The investigators will manipulate kinesiophobia levels (assessed using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale) upward by pretending to diagnose a musculoskeletal problem in half of the participants (nocebo ultrasound), and will measure the efficacy of top-down inhibitory mechanisms using a counter-irritation paradigm (thermode and cold pressor test : the subjects will be subjected to 5 thermal stimulations, 7 mechanical stimulations and 1 water bath at 10°C of the hand) and corticospinal parameters using transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Together, these results will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with a predictor of pain onset (such as kinesiophobia), by studying its interactions with endogenous pain inhibition systems and the motor system, in order to develop relevant prophylactic treatments.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18 years old or older
• Healthy Volunteers
• Capable of understanding instructions
• Abstain from tobacco and caffeine 2 hours before data collection
• Abstain from short-acting analgesics 6 hours before data collection

Exclusion criteria

• A painful condition or chronic pain
• Neurological disorders
• Shoulder pathology
• Skin diseases
• Capsaicin allergy
• Raynaud's syndrome
• Epilepsy
• Intracranial metallic foreign bodies, hearing aids and cochlear implants