Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
07:49
Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus
Published on: December 19, 2013
Pain sensitivity range: a useful parameter to measure experimentally induced pain?
Summary
The Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) is a reliable and stable method for measuring pain in laboratory settings. This research confirms its potential utility in assessing the effectiveness of pain relief therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pain research
- Neuroscience
- Psychophysics
Background:
- The Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) is a potentially valuable metric for quantifying pain in experimental settings.
- However, it has been underutilized by pain researchers, necessitating further investigation into its psychometric properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and stability of the Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) as a pain measurement tool.
- To assess the feasibility of using the cold pressor test (CPT) for PSR measurement.
Main Methods:
- The study employed the cold pressor test (CPT) to induce acute pain.
- The Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) was measured and analyzed for reliability and stability.
Main Results:
- The Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) demonstrated high reliability and stability as a pain measure.
- No significant variability was observed in PSR related to cyclical pain perception changes or side-to-side body sensitivity differences.
Conclusions:
- The Pain Sensitivity Range (PSR) is a reliable and stable quantitative measure for laboratory pain research.
- Its ability to reflect acute pain experiences suggests potential for evaluating analgesic treatment efficacy.
Related Concept Videos
01:44Nociception
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:20Pain
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...