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The Effect of Focused Muscle Contraction Therapy on Chronic Pain and Brodmann Area Activity in Former National Football League Players

Neli Cohen, Geg Hachaj, Jose Rubio, Alexandra Kastelz, Marcin Hachaj, Dan Zierfuss, Maab Osman, Panayiotis Tsiampas, Bo Fernhall, Effrossyni Votta Velis, Enrico Benedetti, Amelia Bartholomew

NFL players have a traumatic injury rate approaching 100% chronic pain with decreased concentration occur commonly. This study examined the role of a novel focused muscle contraction therapy for the treatment of chronic pain and identified its impact on brain activity. Chronic pain was assessed by numerical score, neuropathic component, and impact on daily activities in 8 retired players. Brain activity was characterized by QEEG with low-resolution electromagnetic tomography analysis and functional measures of visual and auditory attention. Focused muscle contraction muscle therapy administered twice weekly for 6 months was tapered to twice monthly by 12 months.  Brodmann Areas (BA) 4 and 9, known to associate with chronic pain, showed values outside the clinically normal range; mean pain duration was 16.5 ± 12.9 years. At 6 months, 5/8 subjects reported pain scores of 0. High beta wave activity was seen in BA 19, 21, 29, 30, and 39, affecting auditory, visual, and body perceptions. Clinically relevant improvements were observed in auditory attention and visual stamina. Pain relief was sustained through 18 months of follow-up. Focused muscle contraction therapy appears to redirect brain activity to new areas of activity which are associated with long-lasting relief of chronic pain and its detriments. This study was registered with clinicaltrial.gov #NCT04822311 on 29/03/2021.