Advances in the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Exercise in Relieving Neuropathic Pain
XIE Shun, LIN Junbin*
Neuropathic pain, one of the most common neurological disorders, often causes severe negative effects on patients’ physical and mental health due to its persistent pain, emotional disturbances, and sleep disorders. Currently, the treatment of neuropathic pain aims to alleviate symptoms and primarily involves two approaches: medication and neuromodulation. Medication is commonly used, but it is difficult to completely relieve pain and is often accompanied by a range of adverse effects. The high treatment costs and potential side effects of neuromodulation hinder its widespread adoption. Due to the universality of exercise therapy and its demonstrated positive effects in treating other conditions, it has garnered increasing attention and has been proven effective in improving neuropathic pain. However, its exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. First, the latest preclinical and clinical research progress on exercise therapy for neuropathic pain was reviewed. In addition, the specific molecular mechanisms by which exercise alleviates neuropathic pain were elucidated through a review of five aspects: exercise-induced inflammatory factors, glial cells, oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, and neurotrophic factors. This article aims to provide a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanisms of exercise therapy for neuropathic pain.
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