Reliability of Pressure Pain Thresholds at Different Pressure Rates
Umeå University
Caroline Häggkvist, Thomas Smetana-Nilsson
Tutors: Anders Wänman, Catharina Österlund, Birgitta Häggman Henrikson
Number of words in abstract: 250
Number of words in abstract and text: 3845 Number of tables and figures: 4
Number of cited references: 35
ABSTRACT
An algometer can be used to measure pressure pain threshold (PPT) in order to depict patient’s pain perception and for follow-ups of changes in tissue response after treatment. The pressure rate applied on the tissue may influence the PPT value.
The aims of this study were to investigate i) if PPT of the masseter and temporal muscles was affected by different rates of pressure per second (kPa/s) and ii) the variability of PPT at different kPa/s in healthy subjects.
Fifteen healthy men (mean age 23.4 years SD 4.6) participated in the study. The PPT of masseter and temporalis muscles was measured with an algometer (Somedic AB) at five different application rates (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kPa/s) in five separate randomized trials.
Each site was measured five times and the values of right and left masseter and temporal muscle were pooled, respectively. The mean values and standard deviations of the 10 measurements per muscle site were calculated both individually and for the total sample.
Comparisons of values at different application rates were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The results showed a significant increase in PPT value with increased application rate. No significant differences of standard deviation at different application rates were found.
Conclusively, the PPT value was related to the application rate. The application rate should thus be standardized in algometric trials. The non-significant difference between the standard deviations indicates that the application rates tested in this study were equally reliable.
