A novel technique for the evaluation of mechanical pain and hyperalgesia.

摘要: Abstract We describe a new technique which is useful for the evaluation of mechanically induced pain and hyperalgesia. Light metal cylinders are guided accelerated in barrel. On impact against skin they elicit brief sensation pain. This method allows application wide range controllable innocuous noxious velocities cylinder at variable stimulus repetition rates. The system sufficiently flexible to stimulate perpendicularly any area move rapidly adjacent target regions if desired. Psychophysical testing using magnitude estimation techniques revealed that thresholds were normally distributed. Over stimulation intensities monotonically increasing response functions obtained. Repeated showed good intra-individual reproducibility both threshold supramaximal ratings. was also determining time course mechanical hyperalgesia following painful stimulus. conclude evaluating psychophysical its changes tissue injury. may hold some promise quantifying altered sensitivity patients.