Pressure and cold pain threshold reference values in a large, young adult, pain-free population

Waller, Robert R.; Smith, Anne; O’Sullivan, Peter; Slater, Helen; Sterling, Michele; McVeigh, Joanne A.; Straker, Leon

doi:10.1016/j.sjpain.2016.08.003

Cited by 39 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…3b ), a new finding that reveals clear sex differences in warm detection threshold at slightly cool (25 °C) or cold (20 °C) skin temperatures thus implying sex differences in the complex processing of “cold” and “warm” inputs in thermal perception. For thresholds of cold pain and heat pain, females showed lower HPT and higher (less cold) CPT values in the present study which is consistent with the literature, albeit for CPT data published findings are somehow contradictory [ 2 – 4 , 6 , 8 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The most pronounced sex differences have been found for heat pain, with females showing lower heat pain threshold, tolerating less thermal heat and perceiving hot temperatures as more painful and more unpleasant than males [ 1 – 6 ]. Sex differences in cold pain as well as in thermal non-painful sensation have been described more rarely in the literature and the existing studies report higher sensitivity of females compared with males [ 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]. Sex differences in the thermal grill illusion (TGI), a phenomenon reflecting crosstalk between the thermoreceptive and nociceptive systems, have not been investigated so far.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sex differences in thermal detection and thermal pain threshold and the thermal grill illusion: a psychophysical study in young volunteers

Averbeck

Seitz²,

Kolb³

et al. 2017

Biol Sex Differ

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BackgroundSex-related differences in human thermal and pain sensitivity are the subject of controversial discussion. The goal of this study in a large number of subjects was to investigate sex differences in thermal and thermal pain perception and the thermal grill illusion (TGI) as a phenomenon reflecting crosstalk between the thermoreceptive and nociceptive systems. The thermal grill illusion is a sensation of strong, but not necessarily painful, heat often preceded by transient cold upon skin contact with spatially interlaced innocuous warm and cool stimuli.MethodsThe TGI was studied in a group of 78 female and 58 male undergraduate students and was evoked by placing the palm of the right hand on the thermal grill (20/40 °C interleaved stimulus). Sex-related thermal perception was investigated by a retrospective analysis of thermal detection and thermal pain threshold data that had been measured in student laboratory courses over 5 years (776 female and 476 male undergraduate students) using the method of quantitative sensory testing (QST). To analyse correlations between thermal pain sensitivity and the TGI, thermal pain threshold and the TGI were determined in a group of 20 female and 20 male undergraduate students.ResultsThe TGI was more pronounced in females than males. Females were more sensitive with respect to thermal detection and thermal pain thresholds. Independent of sex, thermal detection thresholds were dependent on the baseline temperature with a specific progression of an optimum curve for cold detection threshold versus baseline temperature. The distribution of cold pain thresholds was multi-modal and sex-dependent. The more pronounced TGI in females correlated with higher cold sensitivity and cold pain sensitivity in females than in males.ConclusionsOur finding that thermal detection threshold not only differs between the sexes but is also dependent on the baseline temperature reveals a complex processing of “cold” and “warm” inputs in thermal perception. The results of the TGI experiment support the assumption that sex differences in cold-related thermoreception are responsible for sex differences in the TGI.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13293-017-0147-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in thermal detection and thermal pain threshold and the thermal grill illusion: a psychophysical study in young volunteers

Averbeck

Seitz²,

Kolb³

et al. 2017

Biol Sex Differ

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“…Other potential sources of error were also avoided by ensuring that the assessor was blinded to the type of intervention and that clinician and assessor were both experienced. Further, our PPT readings in the lumbar spine were found to be within the 'normal' range of values [20], whereas we could find no literature on 'normal' values in the thoracic spine.…”

Section: Methodological Considerations Concerning Our Studycontrasting

confidence: 74%

What is the effect of spinal manipulation on the pressure pain threshold in young, asymptomatic subjects? A randomized placebo-controlled trial, with a cross-over design

et al. 2020

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Background: Spinal manipulation (SM) has been shown to have an effect on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in asymptomatic subjects, but SM has never been compared in studies on this topic to a validated sham procedure. We investigated the effect of SM on the PPT when measured i) in the area of intervention and ii) in an area remote from the intervention. In addition, we measured the size and duration of the effect. Method: In a randomized cross-over trial, 50 asymptomatic chiropractic students had their PPT measured at baseline, immediately after and every 12 min after intervention, over a period of 45 min, comparing values after SM and a previously validated sham. The trial was conducted during two sessions, separated by 48 h. PPT was measured both regionally and remotely from the 'treated' thoracic segment. Blinding of study subjects was tested with a post-intervention questionnaire. We used mixed linear regression with the baseline value and time as covariates. If a significant difference were found between groups, then an effect size would be calculated using Cohen's d or Hedge's h coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Study subjects had been successfully blinded. No statistically significant differences were found between SM and sham estimates, at any time or anatomical location. Conclusion: When compared to a valid sham procedure and with successfully blinded subjects, there is no regional or remote effect of spinal manipulation of the thoracic spine on the pressure pain threshold in a young pain-free population.

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“…Women are more sensitive to the pain of a mechanical, ischemic, or cold nature 15 , as well as higher sensitivity to pressure pain 16 . Corroborating these statements, considering that it is an objective and valid method 17 , in the present study, the pressure pain threshold was higher in men than in women. Biological and psychosocial factors explain these differences, with women being more vulnerable to the development and maintenance of painful musculoskeletal disorders 18 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Pain threshold between men and women with different fat masses and percentages

Mariani¹,

Silva²,

Buzanello³

et al. 2020

Brazilian Journal of Pain

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a data gap regarding cold pain and pressure pain in healthy young individuals. The present study aimed to compare cold pain threshold and intensity and pressure threshold in young men and women with different fat percentages. METHODS: The study included 30 men and 42 women aged between 18 and 25 years, divided into two groups: normalbody mass index ≤24.9 and overweight-≥25. Fat percentage was estimated by tetrapolar bioimpedance, pain-pressure threshold by pressure algometer, cold pain threshold was timed, and the intensity measured by the visual analog scale. RESULTS: The intensity of pain caused by cold showed no significant difference between groups, as well as the cold pain threshold and the initial and final pain threshold. The same behavior happened within the men and women groups. When comparing the difference between genders, pressure pain and cold pain thresholds had significant differences. Pain intensity did not differ between genders. CONCLUSION: Fat percentage did not affect the response time of cold pain and pressure pain thresholds and pain intensity in young adults. When considering gender, although the cold pain threshold in men was higher than in women, pain intensity was similar.

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Pressure and cold pain threshold reference values in a large, young adult, pain-free population

Cited by 39 publications

References 85 publications

Sex differences in thermal detection and thermal pain threshold and the thermal grill illusion: a psychophysical study in young volunteers

Sex differences in thermal detection and thermal pain threshold and the thermal grill illusion: a psychophysical study in young volunteers

What is the effect of spinal manipulation on the pressure pain threshold in young, asymptomatic subjects? A randomized placebo-controlled trial, with a cross-over design

Pain threshold between men and women with different fat masses and percentages

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