Background & Aims

The substantial variability in pain perception among individuals has been acknowledged for decades. Experimental pain and questionnaires are used to assess pain perception. To experimentally evaluate pain sensitivity, various types of stimuli can be employed, such as ischemic, thermal, mechanical, or electrical. In our study, we aimed to evaluate pain perception with mechanical, electrical stimulation and Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire(PSQ) and to examine the relationship between them.

Methods

10 female and 14 male university students aged 20.45±0,98 years were included in the study. Individuals with pain complaints, loss of sensation, taking painkillers or antidepressant drugs, insomnia and fatigue problems were not included in the study. A square wave galvanic current(GC) with a frequency of 166 Hz, 1 ms stimulation and 5ms rest time was used. The active electrode was placed on the distal end of the radius for the upper extremity and on the lateral malleolus for the lower extremity . The first value at which individuals felt the disturbing stimulus was considered as pain threshold, and the maximum value they could endure was considered as pain tolerance. Theshold and tolerable values also created at the same points with algometer. Each measurement was made in 3 repetitions.The measurements made with algometers and electrical stimulation were carried out on different days. All participants answered the PSQ which was validated and reliable in Turkish.

Results

Using GC, upper extremity pain threshold was 5.72 ± 3.01, upper extremity pain tolerance was 12.75± 7.91, and lower extremity pain threshold was 7.73±3.63, lower extremity pain tolerance was 15.98± 7.16. According to Algometer, upper extremity pain threshold was 4.52 ±1.42, upper extremity pain tolerance was 8.05 ±2.15 and lower extremity pain threshold was 6.16 ±1.83 and lower extremity pain tolerance was 8,44 ± The PSQ total score was 70.62±15.4, while the minor score was 29.41±8.75.Upper and lower extremity pain threshold values from both experimental pain procedures were not statistically different. GC pain tolerance levels were higher than algometer values for upper and lower extremities (p=0.007 and 0.001, respectively). No significant correlation was found between PSQ and experimental pain thresholds and tolerances. Women had significantly lower pain threshold values than men in all categories except upper and extremities pain tolerance measured by GC, PSQ total and minor score

Conclusions

Our study has demonstrated that when galvanic current is used to induce experimental pain, higher values are acquired by individuals, and women are more sensitive to pain than men. There was no correlation observed between the pain sensitivity scale and both the galvanic current and the mechanical pain caused by the algometer. This could be attributed to the fact that this scale was specifically designed for chronic pain. Algometer rather than galvanic current can be used to create experimental pain. Gender differences must be taken into consideration in pain studies. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to examine the correlation between the pain sensitivity scale and different experimental pains.

References

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2. Inal FY, Gul K, Yilmaz Camgoz Y, Daskaya H, Kocoglu H. Validation of the Turkish version of the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire in patients with chronic pain. J Int Med Res. 2021 Dec;49(12):3000605211060158. doi: 10.1177/03000605211060158. PMID: 34855531; PMCID: PMC8646826.
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4. Wutao Lou, Xiaoyun Li, Richu Jin, Weiwei Peng, Time-varying phase synchronization of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals a shift toward self-referential processes during sustained pain, Pain, 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003152, (2024).

Presenting Author

Zehra Can Karahan

Poster Authors

ZEHRA CAN KARAHAN

Asst. prof.

Cankiri Karatekin University

Lead Author

E-mail

Furkan Özdemir

PhD student

Cank?r? Karatekin University

Lead Author

E-mail

Ay?enur Özcan

PhD student

Cank?r? Karatekin University

Lead Author

E-mail

Nilay Sahan

Asst. Prof.

Cank?r? Karatekin University

Lead Author

E-mail

Naime Ulug

Atilim University

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Assessment and Diagnosis