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Reliability of intraoral quantitative sensory testing (QST)
Maria Pigg1, Lene Baad-Hansen, Peter Svensson
1Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Carl Gustafs väg 34, SE-20506 Malmö, Sweden Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark Departments of Oral Medicine and Dental Public Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Orofacial Pain Unit, Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
This study found that most quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures are reliable for assessing orofacial somatosensory function. The German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) protocol shows good reliability for intraoral and extraoral sites.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Sensory Science
Background:
- The German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) established a 13-measure quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocol for somatosensory abnormalities.
- Reliability of cutaneous QST is established, but intraoral site reliability remains unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the inter- and intra-examiner reliability of 13 QST measures at intraoral and extraoral trigeminal sites.
- To determine if QST can be reliably used for somatosensory evaluation in the orofacial region.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-one healthy volunteers underwent QST using the DFNS protocol at the cheek, tongue tip, and gingival mucosa.
- Two examiners assessed participants twice on the same day (inter-examiner) and one examiner re-assessed after 1-3 weeks (intra-examiner).
- Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa were used to calculate reliability.
Main Results:
- Most QST measures demonstrated acceptable to excellent inter-examiner (ICC 0.41-0.89) and intra-examiner (ICC 0.43-0.87) reliability.
- Reliability was consistent between intraoral and extraoral sites, with no significant side differences intraorally.
- The findings support the use of QST for orofacial somatosensory assessment.
Conclusions:
- Quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures exhibit acceptable inter- and intra-examiner reliability for assessing somatosensory function in the orofacial region.
- The DFNS QST protocol is suitable for both intraoral and extraoral trigeminal sites.
- This study provides crucial reliability data for future clinical and research applications in orofacial pain.
