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A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Published on: December 19, 2016
Quantitative sensory testing in the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS): standardized protocol and
1Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany Department of Neurology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University of Kiel, Germany Department of Pain Management, BG Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany Department of Neurology, Technische Universität München, Germany Department of Anaesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany Department of Neurology, University of Freiburg, Germany Institute of Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Mannheim, Germany Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Germany Institute of Physiology and Experimental Pathophysiology, University of Erlangen, Germany.
This study established quantitative sensory testing (QST) reference values in healthy individuals to characterize neuropathic pain phenotypes. These standardized QST data aid in diagnosing somatosensory deficits in patients with neuropathic pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Research
- Sensory Neuroscience
Background:
- Neuropathic pain diagnosis requires characterizing somatosensory deficits.
- Standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocols are essential for consistent patient phenotyping.
- Establishing normative QST data is crucial for identifying deviations in patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age- and gender-matched reference values for quantitative sensory testing (QST) in healthy subjects.
- To standardize QST protocols for characterizing neuropathic pain phenotypes nationwide.
- To enable reliable diagnosis of somatosensory abnormalities in neuropathic pain patients.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a standardized QST protocol across multiple centers.
- Collected bilateral QST data from 180 healthy subjects across face, hand, and foot.
- Assessed thermal and mechanical detection/pain thresholds, allodynia, and pain summation.
Main Results:
- Established age- and gender-specific QST reference values.
- Pain thresholds were lower in women than men; detection thresholds were gender-independent.
- Normalized reference data using z-scores for region, age, and gender; side-to-side comparisons enhanced sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The standardized QST protocol and reference values facilitate the phenotyping of neuropathic pain.
- QST allows inference of underlying mechanisms from somatosensory phenotypes in patients.
- While some parameters are difficult to diagnose individually, group comparisons and side-to-side analysis are valuable.
