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

Averbeck, Beate; Seitz, Lena; Kolb, Florian P.; Kutz, Dieter F.

doi:10.1186/s13293-017-0147-5

Cited by 40 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Although not statistically significant, the p-values were relatively small in some of the hemoglobin indices. Therefore, gender differences in both physiological and psychological responses need to be carefully investigated in further studies, considering the fact that gender differences have been reported in both thermal perception [22,23] and thermoregulation [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat transfer, physiological responses, and subjective perceptions during short contact time with wood or other materials

Tsunetsugu

Sugiyama

2021

J Wood Sci

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This study investigates the physiological responses and subjective perceptions of touching wood. In particular, it focuses on their respective relationships with the amount of heat transfer across the hand–material interface during contact. The study participants included 55 university students (20 females and 35 males) who gave written informed consent. The participants’ blood pressure, pulse rate, and cerebral blood hemoglobin concentrations were measured continuously for 90 s while they gently held vertical bar-shaped specimens of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), Japanese oak (Quercus crispula), polyethylene, and aluminum. The specimens also included wood with a surface coating. We measured subjective warmth and comfort as well as the heat flux between the palm and the surface of the material. The wooden materials were rated as significantly warmer compared to aluminum and polyethylene, regardless of the wood species (cypress or oak) or its coating; this result corresponds with smaller heat transfers in the wooden materials. Additionally, the wooden materials were more comfortable to hold as compared to the aluminum bar. Based on the changes in blood pressure, touching Japanese cypress and uncoated Japanese oak were interpreted to induce less physiological stress. Therefore, we can conclude that wood, with lower thermal conductivity, feels warm, and it causes relatively smaller physiological changes compared to other materials with higher thermal conductivity. Thus, they may present less physiological burdens when touched.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat transfer, physiological responses, and subjective perceptions during short contact time with wood or other materials

Tsunetsugu

Sugiyama

2021

J Wood Sci

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“…Another possible explanation concerns the measure employed. Different scales have been used to assess the TGI, e.g., VAS pain scales (28), thermal color bars (53), verbal-numerical rating scales (38), or numerical rating scales of thermal intensity (54). The descriptive labels of most scales, including the one we used (e.g., "maximum pain tolerable"), might lead participants to categorically classify their sensations as symptoms (55).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Somatic Symptom Perception From a Predictive Processing Perspective: An Empirical Test Using the Thermal Grill Illusion

et al. 2020

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Objective: In a predictive coding perspective, symptom perceptions result from an integration of pre-existing information in memory with sensory input. Physical symptoms can therefore reflect the relative predominance of either sensory input or pre-existing information. In this study, we used the thermal grill illusion (TGI), which applies interlaced warm and cool temperatures to the skin to create a paradoxical heat-pain experience. Assuming that the TGI compared to single temperature stimulation relies more importantly on an active integration process of the brain to create this paradoxical sensation, we tested the hypothesis whether a manipulation of the expectations during TGI would have more impact than during single temperature stimulation. Methods: Sixty-four participants received different temperature combinations (16/16 °C, 40/40 °C, 16/40 °C) with neutral, positive ("placebo"), and negative ("nocebo") instructions. Subjective stimulus intensity was rated and neuroticism and absorption (openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences) served as potential moderating traits. Results: The TGI condition was rated highest. Overall, negative instructions increased (p < .001, d = 0.58), whereas positive instructions did not significantly change the TGI intensity perception (vs. neutral; p = .144, d = 0.19). In the TGI condition, increased modulation of pain was observed with higher neuroticism (β = .33, p = .005) and absorption (β = 0.30, p = .010). Conclusions: Whereas negative instructions induced a nocebo effect, no placebo effect emerged after positive instructions. The findings are in line with the predictive coding model of symptom perception for participants with higher levels of neuroticism and absorption.

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“…Second, due to the make-up of the work force of the ADAC Air Ambulance, our study population consisted only of men in young adulthood or middle age. This selection bias limits the generalizability of our findings as age and sex are factors that are known to influence nociception [16–18]. Selection may also have been affected by the so-called healthy worker effect [19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nociception testing during fixed-wing ambulance flights. An interventional pilot study on the effects of flight-related environmental changes on the nociception of healthy volunteers

Prottengeier

Elsner

Wehrfritz

et al. 2019

Preprint

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27 28 Background: The effects of environmental changes on the somato-29 sensory system during long-distance air ambulance flights need to be 30 further investigated. Changes in nociceptive capacity are conceivable in 31 light of previous studies performed under related environmental settings. 32 We used standardized somato-sensory testing to investigate nociception 33 in healthy volunteers during air-ambulance flights. 34 Methods: Twenty-five healthy individuals were submitted to a test 35 compilation analogous to the quantitative sensory testing battery -36 performed during actual air-ambulance flights. Measurements were paired 37 around the major changes of external factors during take-off/climb and 38 descent/landing. Bland-Altman-Plots were calculated to identify possible 39 systemic effects.40 Results: Bland-Altman-analyses suggest that the thresholds of stimulus 41 detection and pain as well as above-threshold pain along critical waypoints 42 of travel are not subject to systemic effects but instead demonstrate 43 random variations.44 Conclusions: We provide a novel description of a real-life experimental 45 setup and demonstrate the general feasibility of performing somato-46 sensory testing during ambulance flights. No systematic effects on the 47 nociception of healthy individuals were apparent from our data. Our 48 findings open up the possibility of future investigations into potential 49 effects of ambulance flights on patients suffering acute or chronic pain.50 51 Introduction 52 Inter-hospital transfers are common medical procedures, that are 53 sometimes carried out using fixed-wing air-ambulances. The number of 54 such long-distance transfers is steadily rising due to the ongoing 55 internationalization of specialized medical care and, much more 56 importantly, due to increases in individual international mobility [1]. The 57 latter results in growing numbers of aeromedical retrievals of travelers 58 back to their home countries [2]. 59 Long distance air ambulance flights can be considered a medical field of 60 pre-requisites that truly distinguish it from intra-hospital care. While 61 vibrations, noise, and restricted patient access must also be considered in 62 other means of transportation, such as ground-ambulances and mobile 63 ICUs, the rapid alterations in atmospheric pressure, oxygen partial 64 pressure and air humidity that occur during airplane flights are 65 environmental changes that are actually unique to this mode of transfer. 66 Despite this distinctiveness, most in-flight medical measures are simply 67 extrapolated from what we know and do when on solid ground. For 68 example, during transfers, analgesia is typically applied as if the patient 69 were in a hospital -regardless of any of the possible effects, the profound70 environmental changes caused by flying in an airplane might have on 71 human nociception.72 Data from several studies have called this business-as-usual approach into 73 question. For example, Sato and colleagues found that neuropathic pain 74 was significantly ag...

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

Cited by 40 publications

References 46 publications

Heat transfer, physiological responses, and subjective perceptions during short contact time with wood or other materials

Heat transfer, physiological responses, and subjective perceptions during short contact time with wood or other materials

Somatic Symptom Perception From a Predictive Processing Perspective: An Empirical Test Using the Thermal Grill Illusion

Nociception testing during fixed-wing ambulance flights. An interventional pilot study on the effects of flight-related environmental changes on the nociception of healthy volunteers

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