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Does aerobic exercise improve pain perception and mood? A review of the evidence related to healthy and chronic pain subjects

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Abstract

Aerobic exercise can cause an acute improvement in mood as well as a reduction in the perception of pain from a painful stimulus. Regular exercise training also may offer some protection from depression, is clinically useful in treating certain psychiatric and chronic pain conditions, and may allow for an enhancement of the acute improvements in mood from a single exercise session. The utility of aerobic exercise training for improving mood disturbances and pain perception among patients with chronic pain requires further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (117), Sacramento VA Medical Center, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA, 95655, USA

    Martin D. Hoffman MD

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  1. Martin D. Hoffman MD
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  2. Debi Rufi Hoffman MA
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Correspondence to Martin D. Hoffman MD.

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Hoffman, M.D., Hoffman, D.R. Does aerobic exercise improve pain perception and mood? A review of the evidence related to healthy and chronic pain subjects. Curr Pain Headache Rep 11, 93–97 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-007-0004-z

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