Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A study of people with chronic lower-back pain found that a movement-triggered pain flare was associated with increased activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN)—a system involved in self-reflection, autobiographical thought and mind wandering. That result contrasts with the reduced DMN activity typically seen during acute pain. The finding may help explain why a chronic flare can feel closely tied to a person’s sense of their body and self, but it does not yet change treatment or prove that the brain response causes pain.
What the study found
Live Science reported the findings on 14 October 2026, describing an observational brain-imaging study by Gianola and colleagues published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia on 5 October 2026. The study included 114 adults with chronic lower-back pain.
On average, participants reported a 23% increase in pain intensity after researchers provoked a flare by moving one leg. Functional MRI (fMRI) scans taken before and after the movement showed increased activity in the DMN. The scans measure changes in blood flow, which are used as an indirect indicator of brain activity rather than a direct recording of individual neurons.
The result surprised the investigators. Neuroscientist Fadel Zeidan of the University of California, San Diego, said, “We did not expect [the default mode network] to be involved at all,” adding that the team expected the network to be deactivated enough that they had to “triple-check our work to make sure that the results were legit.”
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How researchers provoked and measured a flare
- Researchers obtained an fMRI scan before the pain provocation.
- A researcher lifted a participant’s leg until the person reported that their back pain had increased.
- The leg was held in that position for 10 seconds and then lowered.
- Participants underwent another fMRI scan after the movement, while researchers recorded the change in reported pain.
- Researchers also applied painful heat to the calves as an acute-pain comparison.
The movement procedure was intended to produce the kind of flare associated with chronic back pain, rather than a brief pain signal from an unrelated stimulus. Katherine Martucci, a Duke University neuroscientist who was not involved in the work, said the design “nicely gets around” the problem that movement can make fMRI measurements harder to interpret. She said the imaging provides “solid data on how people with chronic low back pain show important changes in their brain responses after a condition provoking their pain” and visibly validates participants’ experience.
Why default mode network activity was unexpected
The DMN is commonly active during inward-directed mental activity, including self-reflection, autobiographical memories and mind wandering. Acute pain, by contrast, is generally associated with reduced activity in at least part of this network. In this study, painful heat to the calves produced that more familiar reduction, while the movement-induced back-pain flare was linked with increased DMN activity.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Comparison | Movement-evoked chronic back-pain flare | Acute heat pain |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger and time course | Leg raised until chronic back pain increased, held for 10 seconds, then lowered; scans followed the provocation. | Painful heat applied to the calves as a short-term experimental stimulus. |
| DMN response | Increased activity after the flare. | Reduced activity in part of the DMN. |
| Self-related processing | Consistent with stronger involvement of a network used for self-related thought. | More consistent with the usual acute-pain pattern; the study did not identify the same self-related association. |
| Causal conclusion | Shows an association between a flare and brain activity; it does not show that DMN activity causes chronic pain. | Provides a comparison condition, not proof of a different disease mechanism. |
What stronger connectivity may mean
Participants with more severe chronic back pain showed stronger connectivity between the DMN and brain regions that process sensations from the back. Connectivity describes coordinated activity between regions; it does not mean that one region is sending a confirmed pain signal to another.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The authors interpreted the pattern as evidence that chronic pain may become intertwined with self-related body perception. Zeidan said, “This pain flare has almost become a part of who they are from an egocentric perspective.” In practical terms, a recurring flare may be represented not only as a sensory event but also in networks involved in how a person thinks about their own body and experiences. The study cannot establish whether that altered pattern develops because of long-term pain, helps maintain pain, or reflects another factor.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Why movement might trigger your flare
This experiment shows that a specific leg movement can increase reported back pain and is followed by a distinctive brain response, but it does not explain why movement triggers pain in any particular individual. The scan was collected after the painful movement, so lingering pain, anticipation or anxiety could have contributed to the observed DMN activity. The findings therefore should not be used to infer that movement is harmful, that the pain is psychological, or that a particular exercise will cause a flare.
Does the finding change treatment?
Not yet. The investigators are studying whether mindfulness meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy can influence the DMN and reduce chronic pain. Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) is already an established treatment option, but this study did not test whether CBT-CP changes the DMN or relieves an individual reader’s pain. It also did not show that mindfulness meditation will produce either outcome.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
An outside expert cautioned that it is too early to apply the imaging results directly in clinical practice. The work is best viewed as a possible explanation for how chronic pain and self-related processing can interact, not as a diagnostic scan or a treatment test.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The study’s key limitations
- The design was observational, so it identifies associations rather than cause and effect.
- fMRI blood-flow changes are an indirect measure of neural activity.
- Scans were collected after the provoked flare; residual pain, stress or anxiety could affect the result.
- The acute comparison used calf heat, while the chronic condition involved movement-evoked back pain, so the stimuli were not identical.
- The findings do not show that every person with chronic back pain has increased DMN activity or that the pattern predicts treatment response.
The main advance is a clearer picture of how the brain responds when an established chronic pain state is reactivated by movement. Whether that response is a cause, consequence or adaptation remains unresolved.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
