Behavioral measurement of thermal pain sensitivity in humans: Effects of stimulus intensity and instructions.

Abstract

This study validated a human behavioral model of thermal nociception analogous to the rodent tail-flick assay. Effects of instructions and stimulus intensity on behavior (i.e., finger withdrawal latency) were evaluated. Using a repeated measures randomized crossover design, the authors exposed 10 volunteers to varying radiant heat intensities (from 42.2 to 52.2 degrees C) during each of four sessions. In the different sessions, participants were told to remove their finger when they felt heat, felt unpleasant, felt pain, or could no longer tolerate pain. Withdrawal latencies significantly decreased as stimulus intensity increased and significantly increased for sensory, affective, pain, and intolerance instructions. Instruction set differences were significantly larger at higher stimulus intensities. This technique may be useful in human psychopharmacological research.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Reduces Pain Sensitivity

“…This method of pain assessment has been used and validated in previous studies. 5,[21][22][23] However, as an internal validation in the current study, all the patients showed a signifi cant reduction in fi nger withdrawal latency as a function of the fi ve 2 nights of CPAP usage, between 08:00 and 09:00, the subject underwent a second FWLT measurement. The third FWLT pain assessment was done 6-8 weeks later between 08:00 and 09:00 while using their therapeutic CPAP.…”

Pain Sensitivity and Recovery From Mild Chronic Sleep Loss

“…A radiant heat method was used to assess pain sensitivity. 16,17 Each participant was seated in a comfortable chair at a desk across from the research assistant who administered the pain stimulation and monitored responses. The participant's hand rested on top of a metal box that housed the heat source.…”

Differential effect of codeine on thermal nociceptive sensitivity in sleepy versus nonsleepy healthy subjects.

“…Nociceptive sensitivity assessments. A radiant heat method was used to assess nociceptive sensitivity (Greenwald & Johanson, 2001;Lee & Stitzer, 1995). Each participant was seated in a comfortable chair at a desk across from the research assistant who administered the nociceptive stimuli and monitored responding.…”